73.5T Love-Hate (Clutch problem now)

MikeS · 02-23-2002, 02:11 PM

I absolutely love driving my 73.5T! (When its running right!!!!) I've had the car for two months - distributor problems, fuel pressure regulator problem, timing problem, door handle problem (twice), dead battery. Just got it running well (really scoots!) and now a clutch problem. I'm about to park it and just admire how cool it looks and enjoy the driving vicariously by reading Excellence articles.

My clutch problem is this:
It used to grind occasionally going into first when completly stopped. "Solved" this by shifting to second initially then to first. This worked well - for a while. Now I can't get it into first directly AND I'm having a problem getting it into second. It doesn't grind going to second but is a very hard pull down (sometimes will not go in at all). Of course I'm afraid of breaking something else by pulling too hard so I depress the clutch a couple of times and jimmy the shifter around a bit and it finally goes to second - then I'm home free to first. Odd thing is shifting through the gears is fine - even downshifting to second!

Any thoughts on causes - will Swepco come to my rescue or will it be big bucks with my mechanic for a new clutch.

I do love this car though! Although I may have to mortgage the house, sell the dog and feed the kids Mac and Cheese every night to pay for it!!
Mike

CraigD · 02-23-2002, 02:41 PM

Have you checked the shift linkage? Sounds like it may be a little loose or out of adjustment. Check out the tech article for more info.

john walker's workshop · 02-23-2002, 02:59 PM

adjusting the clutch cable tighter should improve things. how far off the floor do you have to move the clutch pedal to get the car to move? if it's right at the floor, it needs adjustment. if the adjustment works for a while, then goes back to the way it was, it may be the cable breaking, or some other problem relating to the release system.

MikeS · 02-23-2002, 05:10 PM

John-
Thanks- Clutch begins tp engage - seems like- about an inch from the floor. I did have it adjusted about 500 miles ago as I was having difficulty getting into gear. Seems like adjustment worked for awhile then it regressed. When you suggest cable "breaking" exactly what do you mean?
Mike

02-23-2002, 05:37 PM

The roll pin on my pedal cluster would back out over a length of time which of course affected the cable adjustment. I'd tap it back in and it would be fine for a bit. Eventually it broke off and i had to replace it. You may want to check yours. BTW, Pelican Parts has a procedure on replacing it.

john walker's workshop · 02-23-2002, 06:14 PM

cables consist of perhaps 20 strands of steel. when several break, the cable gets longer, etc, etc. the pin that carlos mentioned is certainly a possibility too. as is the throwout bearing release fork in the bellhousing. they crack.

MikeS · 03-01-2002, 06:38 PM

Wanted to close out this thread with info potentially helpful to others. My problem here was the clutch cable. Replaced today and we are back in the drivers seat. Worst fears (new clutch) were NOT realized. Thanks for advise on this one!

Jim Sims · 03-01-2002, 08:56 PM

Mike, I'd also check (clean and retighten) your trasnmission to body ground strap. If this ground strap'sc onnections develop high electrical resistance (by becoming loose and corroded) the starter ground return current can start finding alternate return paths to the battery. One of these paths is through the clutch cable. The current can overheat and weaken the wires in the cable thereby promoting breakage. Your old clutch cable likely failed from old age (metal fatigue and wear) but it could have also been overheated. Jim