MG Car Repair: mgb shifting problems, clutch master cylinder, dot 4 brake fluid

Question
Our 1976 MGB has been sitting for 6 months.  We started it and can't shift gears.  When we put it into reverse it grinds and will not shift into any gear, but when we turn it off it shifts ok.  When we last drove the car there were no problems.  HELP!

Answer
Hi Frank,

It sounds like a clutch will not release. First check the clutch master cylinder for fluid (DOT 4 brake fluid) Then push the clutch pedal in and note how much free play the pedal has. It should not be anymore then about an inch. Then the pedal should be firm all the way to the floor.

If it feels correct, put the car in 2nd gear (engine not running) and push the clutch pedal to the floor and have someone push the car. It should role freely without the engine rotating,

Now, put the car in 1st gear and push the pedal all the way to the floor and try to start the engine. If the car roles forward as the starter turns the clutch is not releasing and If the pedal feels correct as above you may have a stuck disk to the flywheel. (be careful where you aim the car)

Sometimes you can break a clutch loose by holding the pedal down (engine off) and have several friends rock the car forward and backward very quick and hard for a few minutes.

There is a method I used in the dealerships that takes a little skill but I was able to break about 50% of the cars with a stuck clutch loose.

This requires a long straight road with no cross roads or lights. You first start the engine and warm it up and shut it off. Then put the car in 1st gear and start the engine which makes the car leap forward and run the RPM up to a speed that you would normally shift to 2nd and ease off a little so there is no load on the drive train and shift from 1st into neutral and let the RPM drop down further and shift into 2nd and speed up again and repeat the process until you are in 4th gear and run up to 3500 RPM in 4th and hold the clutch to the floor and open and close the throttle quickly and hard a few times. That will some times break a stuck disk loose.

The reason you have to be in 4th gear is because that is when the most strain is on a clutch. And the reason for 3500 RPM is that is the peak torque of an MG engine.