1) several weeks ago my clutch pedal went completely loose. Had it repaired and they said it was "a clip and washer connecting the MC to the slave cylinder". I've searched the shop manual and can't find such a thing

2)the last few days I am having a lot of trouble getting into 1st,2nd and reverse. Sometimes I have to really slam it in, no gears grinding and 3rd and 4th are smooth?

3) the front two screws on the Targa keep loosening, I almost lost the top once

 

You did not post what year?

Did you check the clutch fluid? You could have a bad master or slave cylinder.

How tight did you tighten the top?

 

I'll check tomorrow, thanks
I tighten them pretty tight, will I crack something if I REALLY tighten them? "REALLY" as in if they were a bolt or nut and really bear down
1985

 

You can tighten them down, but might just want to get a new set of screws, possible the ones you have just don't have the bite any more they once did.
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1984-1996.html

Are you sure you don't need a new clutch? When was the last one replaced?

 

When was the last one replaced?
bac22

I have no idea when/if it was ever replaced. It has 66,000 miles so it could be due.
I can replace the screws in the top but a new clutch is too much for me, I'm 71 years old. I'll have to get some price quotes.

 

Heck I'm 51 years old and I wouldn't do it. I was once a shade tree mechanic, but now life is too short to waste time on that!

I would just have a tranny shop check it out first, no sense to replace something that might not be needed. Just sounds like to me that the clutch is not fully releasing if you're having trouble getting it into gears. 66k is not outside the norm of a new clutch for a car of that age.

Also it's a good bet the transmission fluid is probably original too, might be a good idea to start with changing that first.

Nothing unique about our transmissions, any decent transmission should should be able to figure it out.

Also there is a chance your top is not aligned either...

 

"...and they said it was "a clip and washer connecting the MC to the slave cylinder"....Say what?

the only clip and washer is the "C-clip" and washer securing the pedal to the MC actuator rod. It wouldn't have just "come off", unless it wasn't properly installed in the first place by the last one to touch it. (BTW, mine does NOT have a washer - just the C-clip riding against the actuator rod bushing...works fine! It is a snug fit, and it occurs to me that if someone tired to put a washer - especially if it was a thicker one between the bushing and the clip - it would make installing that clip quite difficult - possibly why it came off...if you get my drift. See photo)

Bill Boudreau (ZFdoc)'s web page has extensive information on the clutch and determining if it is needing service. You may just need to have the system bled, but at 60k miles nobody would be too surprised to hear you need a new disc (at least), and TO/PILOT bearings (routine while your "in there"). But, the point is, you DON'T want to continue to be slamming it to get it in gear, or you could soon trash your synchronizers and have a really expensive job in hand. It might be just a simple adjustment to the shift linkage, maybe.

New screws might help, but it sounds like the threads of the anchors are worn as well.

I rarely take my targa off. So, for me, I might consider putting a slight amount of BLUE LockTite on the threads to keep the screws from backing out w/o using the tool. However, if you remove and replace the top regularly, new screws and anchors would be the true fix, I recon.

 

Agree. If your clutch isn't coming off all the way, it will cause difficulty engaging the lower gears and reverse. Replacing master and slave is a likely fix.

Mine doesn't come loose, and I use a torx hand driver. Not the ratchet thing it came with. (PO lost it)

Fresh weatherstrip is "puffy" and keeps tension on the adjusters and there's no problem. Fasteners aren't stripped, are they?

 

I had a leak on my old GTI 5spd. The trans shop fixed it and put what their computer recommended as fluid. When cold I literally could not get it into 1st or 2nd. Once warm it was butter. Checked specs and it required a much lighter fluid. Changed it back and was like butter. Maybe they added the wrong weight fluid when they worked on it?

 

If the clutch pedal went "completely loose" it could have just meant low clutch oil. Look at the reservoir to make sure its properly filled. It's quite small and an ounce or two is difference between empty and full.

 

"I rarely take my targa off. So, for me, I might consider putting a slight amount of BLUE LockTite on the threads to keep the screws from backing out w/o using the tool."
Thanks for the suggestion Paul

OK, one problem solved. I took the Targa off, made all adjustments so holes/screws and Targa all line up, put some blue LockTite on the screws. Thanks guys for the help.
Now onto the clutch