Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi folks,
I wonder if someone can help?
I've fitted an Ital engine with the modified back plate and flywheel and a new clutch to my traveller.
It's all taken quite a long time as it's my first attempt at anything like this.
The engine finally went in about 4 months ago but I haven't got round to "firing" it up until last week.
The problem I have now is that the clutch won't dis-engage.
The clutch pedal feels normal but when I try to select a gear...it just grinds!!
Do I need to adjust the linkage? Could the clutch be seized? Or have I done something stupid...quite possible.

thanks

It is possible that the disc has rusted to the flywheel. I have had this happen with cars laid up over the winter. Just a thought.

As above - start the engine and bring it up to working temperature - and keep it running for 30 minutes or so. The heat soaking into the flywheel may loosen the plate. Then switch off - select 4th gear - foot hard down on the clutch and try to start the engine..... make sure there is nothing parked in front!!!

This new clutch? is it hydraulic as per rover sd1? or mechanically linked?

It's just got the ordinary mechanical link

Why would it be hydraulic - with a standard Minor gearbox???

I asked because the magic words modified and Ital were raised,I missed the statement regarding "standard Morris".
having built a car utilising Ital/rover/marina bits and parts, I had experience of an intermittent seizing clutch that I cured eventually.
You would probably already have experience of that particular fault so I wont bore you with the detail.