Triumph Repair: Clutch slave bleeding, clutch action, clutch master

Question
Jim,

I have bought a 1980 Spitfire that has sat in a warehouse for 8 years with out being started (unbelievable). Surprisingly it is great shape with no rust.  Took a while to get started but is running fine with all new fluids.  The clutch master was bad and the owner gave me a new one he bought sometime ago.  I put the master on and ordered a new slave.  I installed and have bled the lines several times but the clutch still will not open.  I put on a new line pipe and it is pumping fluid fine.   I have taken back apart and rechecked everything and I just can't figure out what is wrong.  I thought maybe I can move the slave closer toward the clutch but the groove will not allow it.  Any ideas?  I am going to hate to take it to a mechanic only to tell me it was something simple.

One other question, I thought about putting a Weber conversion kit, new headers, and Monza muffler for improved performance.  Is it worth it?

Thanks,

Dan


Answer
Dan,

One possibility is that the pressure plate has bonded to the driven disc after sitting for so long.  

Do you have any free play in the clutch action?  If so, then it could be there is still air in the system.  A neat trick I learned years ago is to prop the clutch pedal to the floor with a piece of 2x4 and let the car sit for several days that way.  Most of the time that will get enough air out to allow the hydraulics to work.

As to the Weber/header/Monza.... you'll make more noise (Monza) and burn more gas... but if the engine hasn't been prepped you won't really see a lot of improvement.  


Cheers,

Jim