Triumph Repair: TR-7 shifting problems, clutch disc, clutch master

Question
I own a 1978 TR7 that I inherited last year and has been sitting since 1991. Finally I got it running but it wouldn't shift so I rebuilt the clutch master and slave cylinder. After bleeding the line it still wouldn't shift unless the engine was off. I forgot to put it in nuetral one time and it actually pulled forward while in first gear upon starting the car. All I get is grinding while trying to put it in reverse or first. Can you help?

Answer
You want to first verify that the slave cylinder is actually moving the clutch arm to see if the clutch is releasing.

If it is indeed moving, another situation may be that the clutch disc has become "stuck" or rusted to the flywheel.  This is not uncommon for these cars when sitting for years.

Some people have techniques to "jar" the car and force the clutch disc free, if that is the problem, but I would not advise it unless you've done it before.

Verify the clutch arm is moving first.  In either case, you may end up having to pull the transmission to repair/replace the clutch.

Hope that helps.