Clutch Delay

[cats-whiskers]

When I drove my beastie - 1968 2 door - back from where I bought him, I noticed a slight delay in taking up the drive after changing gear. No problems - noise etc. - with gear selection, no slip, just the feeling that there was a momentary pause before the clutch engaged. I've checked the pedal free play and this is as per Haynes. No.1 son thought it might be rust on the input shaft splines as the car had been standing some while. If that is the case, is it possible to get something like WD40 on to the rust through any opening in the bell housing? Or does this sound like a drop the gearbox type scenario?

[bmcecosse]

Check for partially seized up pedal - does it move when you press the brake pedal ? Oil the shaft it runs on! And see if the return spring is in place ok ? I'm sure anything else will clear up with use - without dropping the box.

[cats-whiskers]

Check for partially seized up pedal - does it move when you press the brake pedal ? Oil the shaft it runs on! And see if the return spring is in place ok ? I'm sure anything else will clear up with use - without dropping the box.

Thanks for that prompt and reassuring reply. I will check that at first light. Probably find the return spring is out of an old alarm clock.

[mike.perry]

Don't squirt anything into the clutch housing or you could contaminate the clutch plate and end up changing the clutch, just oil all the linkage.
I expect that you would be stiff if you had just been rudely awaken from your slumbers