clutch engagement problem

[nlzmo400r]

Finally the swap is complete. I've bench bled the master cylinder twice, bled the slave cylinder 3 times and the pedal is firm and feels like a new clutch should. The MC rod is also pushed out all the way.

When the car is off the gears change fine, once the car is started, every gear is VERY difficult to go in and I have to slam it into reverse or it may grind. I'm stumped on what the problem may be. The only thing I can think is the rod for the MC needs to be lengthend.

Any ideas that you guys may have would be greatly appreciated. THanks guys!

[scottydog]

The clutch pressure plate is not disengaging completely. Have you adjusted the clutch pedal?

[nlzmo400r]

I have. It's extended as far out (to me) as it can and still the same issue. I've tried searching but still nothing seems to solve it. I've bench bled the MC, then bled the SC multiple times. changed gear fluid, 2.4 Qts

still nothing. Again, anyhelp is always apreciated.

[scottydog]

If it's adjusted correctly you have a hydraulic problem, air in the line and/or a bad dampener box. Do you still have the dampener box? When the box is installed remember you have two nipples to bleed. Maybe ditch the dampener, rebleed and see if that does it?

[rogoman]

Here's how to measure the clutch pedal free play:

It should be 1.0 - 3.0 mm (0.039 - 0.118 in). Hold a ruler against the floor and up to the top of the pedal pad. Take a reading on the ruler at the pedal pad in the resting position. Now push on the pedal pad very gently until resistance is felt; at this point take the new reading on the ruler. Subtracting the two readings will give you the free play spec.

[nlzmo400r]

no dampening box. straight line from MC to SC, stainless steal. If the pedal is extended all the way out what would it matter how much "free play" I have. R you saying if I push the pedal back in to give me less pedal push...that may solve the problem?

[scottydog]

Just make sure you feel the clutch start to engage after an inch or so of pedal movement, not most of the way down.

What gear oil are you using? I run Redline 75w90, very smooth shifting.

[rogoman]

If the pedal is extended all the way out what would it matter how much "free play" I have. R you saying if I push the pedal back in to give me less pedal push...that may solve the problem?

If there is no free play, the clutch/pressure plate assembly may not fully engage which will cause slippage.

If you're not sure, just follow the procedure that I posted which is the same as what the FSM contains.

[gingerbredman]

say wha?? i did the same thing the OP did, and now my clutch is slipping. the clutch pedal is all the way out, and the clutch seems to engage/disengage only a couple inches pushed down. pedal is FIRM, no play whatsoever now. i would think it'd work better, mc all the way out, and pushing all the way in .. but i guess not

[scottydog]

Keep adjusting until the slippage goes away.

[gingerbredman]

i just re-adjusted mine, maybe too much, but it holds now. now i'll just have to test out tomorrow in the heat, with the a/c going. i found that just unbolting the slave cyl. was easiest, had to bleed the system again though but its all good. thanks