MG Car Repair: transmission, clutch disk, clutch pedal

Question
Hello, i was just given a 1972 mgb hardtop. it has been non-operational for the last 2-3 years. i was able to start the car, without too much trouble. The problem i ran into is that when the car is started i cannot go into any gear. Im not sure what it is i can do, what do you suggest?

thanks John

Answer
Hi John,
You need to use your hand on the clutch pedal and note that there is only about one inch of free play and then the clutch should be hard to push and feel the same all the way to the floor. If it is soft at first and only gets hard to push close to the floor it probably has air in the system and needs to be bled.

If it feels hard to push as soon as the free play it taken up then the most likely cause it that the clutch disk is stuck to either the flywheel or pressure plate.

This is not uncommon when a car is left setting for a long time and there are several methods to try to break it loose.

First thing to do is to put the car in 4th gear, brake off and have someone help you by holding the clutch pedal on the floor while you rock the car forward and backwards as hard as you can.
If this don't break it loose then You need to remove the engine to gain access to the clutch to disassemble the pressure plate from the flywheel and then pry the disk off of the flywheel or pressure plate.

I had a method that I used in the dealership that resulted in getting about 50% of the stuck disks loose without removing the engine. However it requires a little skill and care.

I worked where there was a long straight road with few side roads and no stop signs or lights for a few miles. I started the engine and warmed it up, then shut it down and aimed the car down the road and put it in 1st gear and started the engine which jerked the car forward and I was able to speed up and then I eased off just a little on the throttle and pulled it into neutral and set the throttle to about what RPM was correct for the speed I was going to match in 2nd gear and pulled it into 2nd. If you do this correctly there is very little jerk on the car and no gear clash. Repeat the process for 3rd gear and again into 4th gear. Then speed up to about 3500 RPM and hold the clutch to the floor and go on and off the throttle sharply several times. If it can be broken loose this will do it. The reason for 4th gear is that the max load on a clutch is in 4th gear and the max engine torque is at 3500 RPM.

Don't be tempted to put it in 4th gear and and hold the pedal down and hit the starter as I seen a mechanic try that and he destroyed the starter and took a tooth off of the ring gear requiring the removal of the engine and replacement of the starter, flywheel ring gear and then prying the disk loose.

Howard