Clutch Confusion

[foxtrotfires]

Hi there, I am having a bad day. About 4 years ago my 951 blew a head gasket driving from PA to FL to attend college. Anyways long story short I had help rebuilding the engine and I know its done right. The finished engine stood on the stand for about 3 years, and just recently I began working to install it. I myself installed and torqued the flywheel and clutch to the engine. The pilot bearing was already installed to the pressure plate. I replaced the needle bearings on the lever arm, as well as the shaft and guide tube. I installed the bell housing with the lever inside and then lined up the arm and then secured it all in place. Fast forward to the present the engine is now completely mounted in the car. I wasn't able to immediately install the slave cylinder as it was over extended (I believe my brother or friend depressed the clutch pedal while the slave cylinder was hanging freely.) I ordered a new slave cylinder from pelican, KTE I believe it was. Today I installed it and tried bleeding it with the help of a friend. At first the pedal was on the floor but after a few cycles of bleeding it eventually came up on its own. Now here is the sketchy part, the darn pedal bind up at that point and was unable to depress. My heart sunk as i figured I messed up something with the clutch, but I pressed on and removed the clutch line from the slave cylinder and tried depressing the pedal. It still wouldn't budge. I went to neighbor to ask his opinion and when I came back the pedal was some how now on the floor again. I decided to hook it all back up and try bleeding once more. The same thing happened again. The pedal started not the floor requiring manual lifting the first few cycles, then came up on its own, went fine for one cycle, then locked up again and would not go down. Once again I removed the hose from the cylinder, and it remained locked up for a bit then finally went back down to the floor. I completely removed the rubber section of the clutch line, and it is clear to blow threw, although it does have some fray on the outside but I don't think that would affect anything. So basically thats where I am at. My neighbor is recommending looking into the master cylinder and most likely replacing it. Back when I last drove the car everything with the clutch seemed to be in good working order. So that is where I am at with things. If anybody had an answer or insight for me I would appreciate it so much.

[honerboys]

when the clutch pedal is stuck at top and you step on it can you go underneath and see if it's trying to operate the clutch lever on the bellhousing - if it is try moving the lever a bit by hand using a prybar - not to hard just enough to see if the problem is in the bellhousing or the hydraulics - if it's not trying to push the clutch lever disconnect the line at the slave and see if you can push fluid through with the pedal (don't let reservoir level get too low) if you can push fluid I'd say problem is with slave ..if you can't push fluid problem is with master - oddly sometimes things break after not being used - ports in master could be clogged

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by foxtrotfires

The pilot bearing was already installed to the pressure plate. I replaced the needle bearings on the lever arm, as well as the shaft and guide tube.

I think you mean throw out bearing. You should have checked the number of washers on the throw out bearing because those are a measured unit for free play when everything is placed together.

When you installed it, did you correctly install the clutch fork correctly? It's already suggested but with the slave removed you should be able to have some play on the fork with the force of your hand applied to it (back and forth). This will also see if the fork is correctly seated on the T/O bearing. It is possible to instal the fork incorrectly and bend it.

If that looks and feels normal. it's hydrallic, and the master slave on a 951 is a PITA. but better then taking out the clutch!