MG Car Repair: 1966 austin healey sprite, clutch master cylinder, austin healey sprite

Question
I just acquired this car. With clutch applied and in gear, the car will start to move and it is difficult to get out of gear when this happens. Is this a slave cylinder problem?

Answer
Hi Greg,
It does sound like a hydraulic clutch release problem (Slave and/or clutch master cylinder)

First check the fluid in the reservoir (use only DOT 4 fluid)
Second, feel the clutch pedal with your hand. It should move freely only about one inch and get firm at that point and when you push it to the floor it should be about the same firmness all the way. If it starts easy and progressively gets firm then you do have a hydraulic problem and if the fluid level was up you need to try to bleed the system and if that don't correct the problem you need to rebuild BOTH the slave and the master cylinder or replace them.
Be sure to use DOT 4 fluid.

Howard