Triumph Repair: 1976 triumph spit fire, dot 4 brake fluid, triumph spitfire 1500

Question
QUESTION: Im having a problem with my 1976 triumph spitfire 1500, first the clutch pedal would not push down then i played around with it and got it to go very easy. but when i start it up and put it in gear, i get nothing, the car wont budge. i have no idea what to do?

ANSWER: Hi Rick,
It can be many things but first check the hydraulic system by pumping the clutch pedal again and see if it gets easy to push and take your foot off of the pedal and open the bleeder valve on the slave cylinder to see if there is any pressure in the system. If there is you need to first check to see that the pedal is not binding and then get a kit for the master and slave cylinder or replace both. Then check it again.
Howard

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: well at first the clutch pedal was stuck and wouldnt move at all, so i opend the bleeder valve to the master cylinder and pumped it a bunch of times. then i closed the valve and the pedal started to push very easaly. and after i did that the fluid in the master cylinder was lower then its was befor i opend it. could it be that i need to put more transmission fluid in it? if transmission fluid goes in there, im not too sure im kinda knew to classics.

Answer
Hi Rick,
No! You are suppose to use DOT 4 brake fluid. I don't know what transmission fluid will do to the seals in the master and slave cylinder.

If it were mine I would remove the master and slave cylinder and rebuild both at this point. Kits are available from many of the Spitfire parts suppliers on the net. Be sure to hone the cylinders and examine the bores for pits. (before you buy the kits)

Howard