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MG MGB Technical - Stuck Clutch / Gearbox problem

Hi

I finally got my MG started, after being is store for two years, however, i cant get the car into gear with the engine running (will engage when not running), the master cylinder is full and seems to be ok, as are the electrics to the slave.

Would this be a stuck clutch? or something more sinister.

If it is a stuck clutch what is the best way to free it, it is in a garage with approx 30ft in front, i think i need to start in gear but not sure of the correct sequence.

Any ideas?
a elwell

Rust is bonding the clutch plate to the flywheel.

No one else in the garage.
Car in 4th
hand brake on
right foot on brake
left foot depress clutch
turn the key as if to start the car.

The jolt should do it.

For extra saftey you could chock the car.

David Witham

If David's method doesn't get the clutch loose, try the following. get the car warmed up so it will start easily, open the garage door, put the car in the appropriat gear to go out the open door and start the engine withthe clutch pedal depressed. Doo what is necessary once out of the garage to get the car on a road or other area wher it can be drive out of traffic, then in 1st gear witht he clutch depressed, alternately accelerate full throttle and then let off the throttle abruptly. Depending on how much rust is on the clutch/flywheel this may take a few minutes of this crazy kind of driving, but it should eventually brake loose. We had a Magnette that sat in a car port all the time and if left for long periods of time, the clutch/flywheel would rust together. The first time took several laps of our circular driveway to brake it loose, but most of the time, just reversing out of the car port would get it loose. Once the clutch is loose, drive it a bit a dn slip the clutch to polish all the rust off of it. Good luck - Dave

PS. Others have had good success putting the rear axle on jack stands, chocking the front wheels and with the clutch depressed and the car in first gear, rev the engine and step on the brakes repeatedly until the clutch pops loose.
David DuBois

This thread was discussed on 27/06/2005

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This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGB Technical BBS is active now.