Drove 71 LT1 in Bloomington Gold Road Tour (more like parking lot with bumper to bumper stop n go most of the way) Trailered car home and it has not been driven other than 20 ft in garage. Today when I went to start it lunged backward as if clutch not working. Put in neutral with car not running, started, and I'm unable to put in gear. Turned car off , put in first, tried to start, car lunges forward. Is it possible clutch that was fine although probably abused on last trip, can go out just sitting or do I have another problem? Thanks
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Re: 71 LT1 Clutch
Guess I'm missing something here... Your car should be equipped with a steering column interlock and neutral saftey features that won't allow the starter to engage unless the clutch is pressed to the floor. The fact that you CAN engage the starter with the car in 1st or reverse says the safety switch 'sees' the clutch pedal depressed far enough. But, the car moving tells you the clutch isn't fully released. Time to check your clutch adjustment... -
Re: 71 LT1 Clutch
Jack each time I tried to start the car the clutch was fully depressed, but car still moved forward and reverse as if clutch wasn't engaged. Could it get that far out of adjustment that quickly after working fine the last time I drove car? Thanks for the help.Comment
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Re: 71 LT1 Clutch
Could something in the linkage have come loose during your trailing it home and lasted long enough your you to get in the garage?BobComment
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Re: 71 LT1 Clutch
It is possible, although not common, for the clutch friction plate to stick to either the pressure plate or the flywheel face during storage.
It is also possible for the clutch linkage to break -- does the clutch operation feel normal?
On some cars with the stuck friction plate it can be jarred loose by getting the car into motion (if you can) and operating brakes with the clutch depressed. Sometimes turning off the ignition with the car in motion will also jar the driveline enough to unstick the clutch plate.
Failing the courage or location, to try the above, disassembly (which might be the safest route anyway) is in order.TerryComment
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Re: 71 LT1 Clutch
David,
As Terry mentioned, it sounds like you have a clutch disk that has stuck to the flywheel/pressure plate. Very common problem. The first, and easiest fix, is to just allow the engine to warm to operating temp. Sometimes, the slight expansion of the flywheel/pressure plate will break the disk loose. If that fails, the next step is to raise the rear wheels off the ground, set jack stands under the frame and run the engine in 3rd or 4th gear. Rev to about 1500 RPM, then in a very quick firm motion, jab the brake pedal for just a split second. This usually breaks the clutch loose.
The next few steps are more difficult and involved so I hope the first step cures the problem.Comment
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Re: 71 LT1 Clutch
Terry car got soaked on road tour then was put away for month. Would this result in corrosion that would cause plates to stick? Thank you for the recommendations.Comment
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Re: 71 LT1 Clutch
Michael thank you for taking time to respond.Comment
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Forgot to Mention...
..that when you run the car in gear on jack stands, also depress the clutch while you jab the brake. Need three feet to operate all the pedals at the same time, or just set the engine idle up to 1500.Comment
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Re: 71 LT1 Clutch
Could be that water got into the clutch. Do what Michael suggests to try to snap it loose.TerryComment
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