Help !!! My clutch

[cliff]

Here is the problem:
After taking my 14 out for a drive yesterday, I noticed a quater mile from my home that the engine started loosing power, like it was being held back, as if the clutch was half way engaged. When I got home, smoke was emerging from the mid section of the car after it was turned off. The brakes did not smoke or smell and it was not exhaust. It smelt like a burning clutch. With the engine off I checked to make sure it still shifts, and it does. When I try to move the car back and forth in the driveway, the clutch smell starts again. The car moves, but like I said, very underpowered. Could it be that the clutch is not completely disengaging from the tranny ? What coiuld be the cause of this problem. I am not too good with trannies as yet so I really could use the help.
Thanks
Cliff

[Ron Meier]

Start the car, engage the handbrake, put car in gear, let clutch out and see if you can kill the engine. If you can't:

1. Rear Main seal on engine / front main seal on trans has soaked the clutch with oil.

2. Fingers on pressure plate are bent/broken/worn (not fully disengaging).

3. Friction plate has disintegrated.

4. Clutch cable has stretched, housing at firewall has broken (not fully disengaging).

All in all, you're gonna wind up pulling the assembly unless you have X-Ray vision (where's my suit?).

[Curvie Roadlover]

Or:
5. your parking brake is shot.

[Ron Meier]

Thanks Tom - I needed that!

6. If you've owned the car long enough, you know what rpm gives a paticular mph - if rpm is higher, clutch is slipping. If tach winds up like a bad movie clock and you don't move as rapidly - clutch is slipping (should be 7.)

8. My previous post where I referenced "disengaging" should read "engagaing"

Hey Cliff, since you're in Los Alamos, does the landscape have a lite green glow at night?

[cliff]

Here is the thing. The engine is relatively new about 10,000 miles after rebuild. What I did notice was that in the days leading up to the problem, when I depressed the clutch pedal, it felt as though the clutch cable had a kink in it or something like that. Does that tranny have to be dropped to replace the clutch cable ?
In which case, where can I find a clutch cable to replace it with.

As for your other question, the glow on Los Alamos, is more of a purple like haze.

Thanks
Cliff

[Ron Meier]

Engine does not have to be dropped for a clutch cable replacement. Check area where it passes thru firewall for tube breakage. If broken, fix is always on eBay for about $19.99 (have never tried it). Always wondered about hydraulic setup to negate the cable.

Oh! Clutch cable purchase ~ Why Pelican Parts of course (shameless plug for friends).

Kink could also be worn pedal assembly bushings too!(another plug for PP)

Hmmmmmm purple you say - Jimi Hendrix - "Pardon Me While I Kiss the Sky"!!!

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Also look for the front of the clutch tube. You'll need flashlight(s), mirror(s), etc. for this. And you'll need to remove the carpet on the outside of the center tunnel (therefore the center console if any).

For a look at what is actually inside the tunnel, check on the Tech Articles page for the Center Tunnel Guided Tour.

--DD