I have a 1990 F150 XLT Lariat, 129K with 5.0 and a 5spd. I use it as hunt/farm truck and this year it sat outside not started or bothered for 4-5 months. Well the mice decided to make the intake manifold their home and when I went to start it the truck wouldn't idle, they'd chewed through the electrical cable right at the connector (figures). That fixed I took it out and after about 1/2 mile the clutch felt like it was slipping and by 2 miles I had nothing, the truck behaved as if I had the clutch pushed in (disengaged). When I pulled over there was a small hydraulic puddle that showed up under the bell housing. The clutch pressure feels okay and there was fluid in the master cylinder with no apparent leaks but I can start the truck, release the clutch in any gear, or shift gears without engaging the clutch, it feels/appears like the clutch is stuck in the disengaged position. I've heard this could be the slave but I'm not sure and somehow believe this is related to the mice chewing, bending, crimping something but I'm not sure if there is a quick way to verify. Hate to pull the tranny to check the slave and find something simple, any ideas?

 

I think the tranny has to come out. There's nothing external that will keep the clutch disengaged. If the slave is leaking (which the puddle indicates) it's inside the bell housing, integral with the throwout bearing.