[DeTomaso] Fw: Clutch Issues / SOLVED!

[Dan Courtney]

It turned out the clutch disk was stuck.
I removed and replaced the clutch lever, moving it forward one spline.
This pushed the lever right into the slave cylinder boot, but it gave me 
enough force to push the clutch disk free.
I then returned the clutch lever to it's original position, basically 
straight up, and made the adjustment to leave .010 of free play, before 
engaging the throwout.
It shifts great now, not even grinding while going into reverse.
I had a few other items to address and it got dark, so I delayed the maiden 
test drive till tomorrow.
I made the mistake of using the cork gaskets for the ends of the intake 
manifold, so of course it's leaking oil. I'm just going to give it a good 
shakedown and then pull the intake, as I also have to fab a bracket for the 
throttle linkage to mount securely on the Edelbrock Air Gap, as the stock 
mounting bracket is too short for this intake. (Additional Air Gap note: You 
have to grind a little alum off the corner next to the right side thermostat 
bolt, to get a socket on it).
Hopefully The Winged Warrior is back on the prowl tomorrow.
Thanks for the tips.

Dan
Dan F. Courtney

La Jolla, CA

(858) 551-5455 Phone
(858) 551-5456 Fax
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <davidabell at att.net>
To: "Dan Courtney" <dfcex at excaliburre.com>
Sent: Saturday, March 28, 2009 10:22 AM
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Fw: Clutch Issues


>
> Dan,
>
> There are a couple of other options to consider, assuming you're seeing 
> plenty of clutch linkage motion aft of the slave but the clutch still 
> doesn't disengage the tranny.  One is that the clutch lever on the side of 
> the bellhousing is way out of adjustment so that the slave motion bottoms 
> out the lever before it fully compresses the pressure plate springs. The 
> bellhousing lever should be positioned more or less perpindicular to the 
> slave cylinder piston's axis.  The lever angle can be changed by pulling 
> it off the splined shaft and then rotating it one tooth or so (one or two 
> teeth is a lot of angular motion).
>
> Another possibility is that the throwout bearing is not seated correctly 
> or is not the right one for a pantera.  You'd probably have to remove the 
> transaxle to figure that one out though.
>
>
> --
> Dave Bell
>
> -------------- Original message ----------------------
> From: "Dan Courtney" <dfcex at pacbell.net>
>>
>> Dave,
>>
>> Can I tell by viewing through the inspection hole if the clutch is not
>> releasing?
>> Probably a dump question but this is all I'm capable of.
>>
>> Dan
>> Dan F. Courtney
>>
>> La Jolla, CA
>>
>> (858) 551-5455 Phone
>> (858) 551-5456 Fax
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: <davidabell at att.net>
>> To: "Dan Courtney" <dfcex at excaliburre.com>; <detomaso at realbig.com>
>> Cc: "Dan Courtney" <dfcex at pacbell.net>
>> Sent: Friday, March 27, 2009 4:31 AM
>> Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Fw: Clutch Issues
>>
>>
>> > If you've got movement of the linkage on the bellhousing (aft of the
>> > slave), then the hydraulic and mechanical components must be mostly OK.
>> > Since the car has sat for so long, the only thing I can suggest is that
>> > the flywheel has rusted itself to the clutch disk over time.  If that's
>> > the case the pressure plate would move as usual with pedal action but 
>> > the
>> > clutch couldn't release.
>> >
>> > I don't have any real good suggestions as to how to break the disk 
>> > loose
>> > though.  Perhaps have someone rock the car back and forth with the ZF 
>> > in
>> > gear and the clutch pedal on the floor and see if the disk pops free.
>> > Alternately, pull the transaxle.
>> >
>> > --
>> > Dave Bell (now Houston Dave)
>> >
>> >
>> > -------------- Original message ----------------------
>> > From: "Dan Courtney" <dfcex at pacbell.net>
>> >>
>> > I'm re-sending this message because, for the first time ever, I didn't
>> > receive
>> >> any advice on my first send.
>> > I'm hoping to finally drive The Winged Warrior this weekend but I'm 
>> > trying
>> > to
>> >> figure what part to replace to get in gear.
>> >> Below is the original message:
>> >> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> >> From: Dan Courtney
>> >> To: detomaso at realbig.com
>> >> Sent: Monday, March 16, 2009 3:08 AM
>> >> Subject: Clutch Issues
>> >>
>> >>
>> > Well, I've finally patched together enough time to fire up the new 
>> > engine
>> > in
>> >> "The Winged Warrior", and it sounds sweet!
>> >> Problem is, I can't drive it yet cause I got no clutch action.
>> >> The adjustment seems correct, about 1/10th" of free play.
>> >> I've bled the heck out of the slave, but still no go.
>> > The pedal feels funky, too, like there is friction as it gets close to 
>> > the
>> > floor. It seems to be getting good action at the slave linkage, but I
>> > still
>> > can't get in gear. Matter of fact, I was able to drive it back into the
>> > garage
>> > just by cranking the engine (not starting the engine) with the car in 
>> > 1st
>> > and
>> >> the clutch pedal floored.
>> >> I'm embarrassed to admit, but everything has sat for 1 1/2 busy years, 
>> >> so
>> >> I
>> >> suppose some seals may have gone bad.
>> >> Are there any tests for the master or slave cylinders?
>> >> It's got a new throw-out bearing, Centerforce clutch and re-built
>> >> pressure
>> >> plate. Is there anything else that could be causing this?
>> >>
>> >> Dan
>> >>
>> >> Dan F. Courtney
>> >>
>> >> La Jolla, CA
>> >>
>> >> (858) 551-5455 Phone
>> >> (858) 551-5456 Fax
>> >> _______________________________________________
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