T-Series Clutch Headache!!! Please Help Me!!!

[srvtribute]

In my 77' MG Midget, I was driving on the parkway at about 50mph in 4th gear and heard a clang. When I went to downshift to 3rd gear, I seemed to have only half clutch. When I looked at the Bell Housing, I discovered that the pivot pin holding the clutch arm was missing. I replaced the pin with a bolt, bled the master cylinder, and the clutch felt fine with the car not running. As soon as I start it, I have a soft and half clutch car will not go into gear. Please Help Me! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif

 

[AlanT]

Check the crankshaft end float ,ie, take a large screwdriver and see if you can move the front crankshaft pulley back and forth more than say .010. If it moves about .125 then the crankshaft thrust washers are probably in the oil pan.

Alan T

 

[DrEntropy]

Or if you can enlist a second body, have them push in the clutch and release as you have the screwdriver/prybar at the crank pulley... after the clutch has been released see how far you can push the crank back. Repeat a few times to be certain. And p'raps bleed the hydraulics again.

...Triumphs. Sheesh. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif

 

[srvtribute]

Thanks. I got lucky. The pin that goes through the bell housing was not through the clutch fork, so it didn;t move the release bearing in enough, I;m so relieved, I really didn't feel like pulling the engine! thanks again for your replies!