Engine 2

Hey gang, I have a 1973 442, with a 4 speed. It's been in storage for 2 years. When I parked it everything was fine. Got her fired up today and couldn't get it into any gear. I adjusted the clutch but to no avail. It goes in gear with the engine off. Curious as to what happened. Disk or pressure plate rust together?

Sugar Bear

Disc may be stuck to the flywheel, it can be stuck on the splines. Was it sitting in a high moisture environment? Can you shift it all with the engine off?

Engine 2

It was sitting in a shipping container. High moisture in the summer (chicago). it does go into gear with the engine off.

BillK

e2,
My 73 Z-28 used to do that when it sat for several months. It was the clutch disc sticking to the flywheel. If you have a decent clear road its easy to get it apart. Just start the engine and and let it get good and warmed up. Then push the car into the street. Shut the engine off, put it in 1st gear then push the clutch in and start the engine. When the car starts moving keep the clutch pushed in and hit the brakes hard. That would always shock mine loose. If you are good you can even shift into second without the clutch and then hit the brakes.

Engine 2

Thanks Bill. I'll give that a try.

BillK

Its good practice driving without the clutch Once you have done it a few times its pretty easy.

Engine 2

I've usually floated gears on my cutlass just because the clutch is hard to press...and I drive a 13 speed Mack. I figured something had rusted together just wasn't sure what the fix was.

BillK

Sounds like you have it under control People think I am nuts when I tell them its no problem driving without the clutch working. It can get a little dicey in traffic had to do it about a year ago when the hydraulic line on my S-10 gave it up. I actually drove it back and forth to work for a few days till I got the part to fix it

I bet it will come loose pretty easy. Thats what we get for not driving our toys !!!!!!!!

Engine 2

Yea, my girlfriend has been on me..."Drive it or sell it." Seems like the summer isn't long enough to get it out and drive it.

Koda

Tell her to mind her own!

Engine 2

LOL I did but she's right.

Koda

Yeah, she probably is.

I think your clutch is stuck like said above, and also like said above you can bust it loose. A trick my dad and I did in Florida with the 67 Bronco is pin the clutch down with a board. It won't rust together then, but I imagine it won't do wonders for the fork fingers.

Yellowstatue

With engine off, put it in fourth gear, start engine. Done.

RandyS

If those ideas won't work, you could get under the car, open the inspection cover, have someone depress the clutch pedal and try to pry it loose.

joe_padavano

^^^This!

Engine 2

Fourth not first?

no1oldsfan

Amen. I learned to drive Peterbilt's. You tell people how you only use a clutch to leave the line. All clutch less from there. They go what?..

Hope you figured out what the issue was. Sounds like great info and replies here. Team Oldsmobile cares.

no1oldsfan

Oops my reply was meant for this comment.

Engine 2

Yea they'll say "you cant drive that without using the clutch". That makes me laugh. I also had a guy say the trans (non sychro) wont go into gear unless you double clutch it. I said double clutching really doesn't do anything mechanically, just watch. he was stunned.

Yea some good advice on this blog. I won't be able to try it for a few days so we'll see what happens.

joe_padavano

Yes

Engine 2

Won't fourth be too hard for the starter?

Koda

The double clutch did, and still does, mechanical things. It does the same thing as pulling it out of gear into neutral, increasing rpm, then floating it into a lower gear does.

Engine 2

Hey gang, it worked. Put it in gear, started it up, took off, pressed the clutch and hit the brake, and she freed up. Thanks for the info.