Triumph Repair: Clutch problem, piston seal, max torque

Question
In one of your answers about a clutch problem you answered "Let me know about the pedal feel etc. and I will tell you a method I used with about 50% success rate to brake a clutch loose without removing the engine if it has been setting for a long time". I think I'm having this issue with my 79 MG Midget. I am going to rebuild the master cylinder, the slave seems ok, no leaks, piston seal looks good.
Can you explain your method of freeing the clutch without engine removal?
Thanks

Answer
Hi Mark,
If you are talking about a stuck clutch that has been sitting for a long time here is what I did.

I took the cars to a long straight road with no stops and low traffic. I start the engine and warm it up first. Then shut it down and aim the car down the road and put it in first gear and start the engine. It will lurch forward and you run the RPM up to where you normally shift and then you ease off a little on the throttle so there is no strain on the drive train and shift into neutral. Then set the throttle at about what you would have at that speed in second gear and pull it into second. If you got the speed and RPM right there is no lurch forward nor a drag backward. When you have it in 2nd you speed up again and repeat the process until you are in 4th gear. When you are in 4th gear run up to about 3500 RPM and hold the clutch to the floor and open and close the throttle hard several times. If you are at 3500 RPM in 4th gear and it has not broke loose after opening and closing the throttle quickly and hard, it will not break loose this way.

The reason you have to be in 4th gear is that is when the most strain is on a clutch. The reason you are doing it at 3500 RPM is because that is about max torque on most engines. It is no use going faster because horse power is not what you want, torque is what is needed.

Yes, it puts a strain on the drive train but it will not break a good drive train but yes it can only break something that is already bad. It takes a little practice to get through the gears without a crunch or jerk.
Let me know,
Howard