Took the clutch linkage off my 70 442 because it was rubbing on the header tube. Tried a few things to remedy that problem and realized the clutch fork is seized up. Everything was fine when I took the linkage off. Any ideas as to why the clutch fork no longer disengages the clutch? I'm not a mechanic but I'm trying to learn and perform most of the work on this car. It's getting very frustrating and at one point today the words " I'm selling this POS" came out of my mouth. I don't want to be bitter but everything I try to fix on this car turns into another problem. I need HELP!
I just don't understand what happened. As far as I know I didn't do anything that would keep the clutch from disengaging. I'm hoping there's an easy fix/explanation. I don't want to pull the transmission out of the car.

Any help would be greatly appreciated......Rick

 

Fork moved too far and fell out of the throwout bearing?
remove your inspection cover if in place and peek up in there.

Make sure everything from the rod on up is working right and not binding as long as you have the rod out. Has the fork pivot ever been greased? It may be possible to remove the fork with trans in place, not sure on that one.

 

That's what occurred to me first.

You say it's seized, and then say it "won't disengage."

If it's seized, what part is seized?

- Eric

 

You mentioned modifying your clutch linkage in your other thread and on this one due to header interference. What did you end up doing?

 

I took the Z bar off and used a washer to space it over. This was just the first attempt at fixing the clearance problem. As with most things I do, I take baby steps to see what affect that would have on the operation of the linkage. I tried to push the clutch in while a buddy of mine watched the linkage. The pedal started moving but then stopped. He said it wasn't hitting anything so we took the push rod back out and tried to disengage the clutch with a pry bar. The fork will only move about a 1/4-1/2" before it stops.

Rick

 

Not sure ... The fork will not pivot. I took a pry bar and tried to move it manually but it pretty much didn't move. I'm assuming I should be able to move it with a pry bar....shouldn't I???

Rick

 

The only thing that comes to mind is somehow the throwout bearing came off the fork and is either in front or behind it. There is nothing to seize in there.

 

+1. You want to be sure that the fingers of the fork are located in the groove of the bearing, and that the little clip has the fork held securely against the pivot ball.

Also, did you change the throwout bearing? Did it work before?

There are two different throwout bearings, used with different clutch assemblies, and if you've installed the wrong one (there's a short one and a tall one), it may behave like this.

- Eric

 

I did not change the throw-out bearing. The clutch worked properly before.
I only disconnected the push rod so I could try to fix the Z bar hitting the header tube. I will take a picture for what it's worth of what I see when I look up in the area where the fork and the bearing are. There is some side to side play in the fork but I can't imagine it popping off. I'll have to look at the service manual and see exactly what everything is supposed to look like. If any of you has an image of this you can share with me, that would be appreciated. Like I've stated before, I am by no means an experienced mechanic but I'm not totally incompetent either. Something just doesn't seem right for this to happen. Thanks again for your feedback!

Rick

 

Well, I can't seem to free up the clutch so the transmission will be pulled out. I have a seal leaking anyways so I might as well have that fixed and the rest of the trans look at while I have it pulled. I have a suspicion that the throw-out bearing is bound on the sleeve that it rides on. I'll report back as soon as the mystery is solved.

Rick

 

Yeah, it's not that hard to pull the trans., so that's probably the best thing at this point - get right to the heart of it.

- Eric

 

Rick,its even easier when you have a lift you lucky dog. remember I have seen where you get to work on this thing no complaining

 

I am very lucky as you say John. I need every advantage I can get working on this project.