What actuates the Sportomatic clutch ?

[trond]

We just got together my friends 79 SC Sportomatic. That is we got the engine running with all rocker arms now secure in place with RSR seals, new hydraulic tensioners and it runs nice.

The problem we still have is to do do with the transmission; we can not put it in gear. It is as if the clutch does not engage, just loud scraping noise from gearbox.

Previous owner had the engine and transmission out to replace cylinder studs and never drove it after. So we assume the unit to work

Being new to Sportomatics the question is what actuates the clutch ? Is it that switch on right side with 1 cable and one oil line ?

[cpa]

trond. If my memory serves me correctly, there is a micro switch at the base of the gear shift that actuates the vacuum chamber on the top of the transmission. Make sure you have no disconnected or broken vacuum lines to it.
cpa

[Scott Douglas]

Trond
For starters, take a look at this thread....

Sporto fun and games

It sounds like your clutch isn't disengaging. The only time the clutch is engaged, at least on my car, is when it is in gear and there isn't any pressure on the shift knob to activate the clutch, other times it is always disengaged (ie as if the clutch pedal on a manual trans car is being stepped on).
That thread will show you how I made a test of the diaphragm to see if it would hold a vacuum.
I'll check back later to see how you're doing.

[trond]

We got the microswitch and clutch working fine now, and after replacing all plastic bushings in the gear lever mechanism we are now able to select gear as well so that is all fine.

However when going from neutral into any gear with engine idling, the car lurches forward as the torque converter get loaded up.

Are there any adjustments to be done with the torque converter ? What are all those two large electrical connectors on the right side of the transmission for ?

Gratefull for any easy and free advice (and yes I have been using the search function but it takes a bit of getting used to this Sportomatic system)

[Scott Douglas]

Sounds like all is working normally. When you put it in gear and let go of the shifter, the clutch engages and that is when the torque converter sees the load from the engine. It should be (feel) similar to putting an automatic car into Drive.
With my car, the idle will drop from @1200 to 900 rpm. Keep your foot on the brake when putting it in gear and you should be OK. Once the oil warms up to operating temp it shouldn't be as firm as when cold, but you'll still know you're going into gear.
The large electrical connectors are for the neutral safety switch and backup lights if I recall correctly.
Glad to hear you've got it running. Now, learn to shift with your fingers and go have some fun out in traffic.