Clutch advise needed.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,143
Likes: 195
From: Englewood FL
Clutch advise needed.
The car: 1980 corvette with 4-speed.
The problem: If I park the car, leave the transmission in neutral
and then roll the car backward with the engine off.
The next time I try and start the car, I cannot get the car in gear with
the clutch fully depressed. Today, I had this problem and was able
to only put it in reverse with the engine off. But then when
I tried to start the car it moved backwards by the power of the
starter even with the clutch fully engaged. I immediately turned the starter off and then was able to put the car in any gear and the car shifted normally.
What is the problem with the clutch?
The reason for rolling the car with engine off is to move it close to
another car.
The problem: If I park the car, leave the transmission in neutral
and then roll the car backward with the engine off.
The next time I try and start the car, I cannot get the car in gear with
the clutch fully depressed. Today, I had this problem and was able
to only put it in reverse with the engine off. But then when
I tried to start the car it moved backwards by the power of the
starter even with the clutch fully engaged. I immediately turned the starter off and then was able to put the car in any gear and the car shifted normally.
What is the problem with the clutch?
The reason for rolling the car with engine off is to move it close to
another car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,033
Likes: 1
From: Prescott Arizona
Inspect all the clutch linkage. The adjustment part that's on the end of the clutch pedal rod (that's probably not the name of it) could be wore out. You may have one of the springs shot on the linkage. The clutch pivot ball could be bent also.
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 223
Likes: 1
From: Kennesaw GA
It just sounds like the clutch isn't fully dis-engaging. Although if the power of the starter is causing it to move, I'm surprised you can drive it and shift it. On my '69 you can see the adjustment under the hood, just under the master cylinder. Adjusting the nut further out (toward the front of the car) should move the release point of the clutch further away from the floor, and to a point of complete release.
With that said you may have some bent fingers on your pressure plate and actually have a problem. If the adjustment doesn't work, it may be time to take it apart.
With that said you may have some bent fingers on your pressure plate and actually have a problem. If the adjustment doesn't work, it may be time to take it apart.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,143
Likes: 195
From: Englewood FL
Thanks for your replies. I should have added in my post that the
problem seems to occur when the car is not driven for several months.
So maybe moving the car when it is in neutral has nothing to do with
the problem, but that the clutch plates are actually locking together.
Is that possible and does it mean that fingers on the release plate
are bent?
problem seems to occur when the car is not driven for several months.
So maybe moving the car when it is in neutral has nothing to do with
the problem, but that the clutch plates are actually locking together.
Is that possible and does it mean that fingers on the release plate
are bent?
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 223
Likes: 1
From: Kennesaw GA
The clutch disc can rust and or stick to the flywheel and keep it from disengaging if it is left alone for a while. Usually it takes years, but depending on the clutch material and the humidity of the garage, it could be less. But once the disc has released everything should work fine.
If the above is the case, then you just need to 1)Drive the care more, or 2) Try to control the humidity in the garage or wherever you are keeping it.
I vote for more driving!
If the above is the case, then you just need to 1)Drive the care more, or 2) Try to control the humidity in the garage or wherever you are keeping it.
I vote for more driving!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,342
Likes: 7
From: Connecticut
Originally Posted by GruntyPants
The clutch disc can rust and or stick to the flywheel and keep it from disengaging if it is left alone for a while.
I dont know exactly what causes this but it is certainly possible as I have seen it happen more than once
Does the pedal feel different after it loosens up and you are able to shift/drive the car?
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,372
Likes: 223
From: Beecher Illinois
Originally Posted by GruntyPants
The clutch disc can rust and or stick to the flywheel and keep it from disengaging if it is left alone for a while.
also. Happens sometimes to my black 79 after long storage.Mike
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 4
From: Va
Originally Posted by GruntyPants
The clutch disc can rust and or stick to the flywheel and keep it from disengaging if it is left alone for a while. Usually it takes years, but depending on the clutch material and the humidity of the garage, it could be less. But once the disc has released everything should work fine.
If the above is the case, then you just need to 1)Drive the care more, or 2) Try to control the humidity in the garage or wherever you are keeping it.
I vote for more driving!
If the above is the case, then you just need to 1)Drive the care more, or 2) Try to control the humidity in the garage or wherever you are keeping it.
I vote for more driving!
