Clutch won't disengage

[southerly95]

Wifey's 68 Saloon - new clutch 250 miles ago, new pedal and linkages fitted last week as clutch adjustment was at maximum. Car out ok for a week then brought back by AA today as couldn't engage gears although they select ok with engine off. Clutch works smoothly.

Will whip engine out tomorrow eve to check see wassup but any thoughts before I do?? Regards, John

[mike.perry]

Gear lever or selectors? Remove gear lever and inspect
Does the clutch pedal go straight to the floor? Clutch linkage
Any other clues?

[kennatt]

its more than klikely to be slipped adjustment,have a long look at that before looking at removing the engine.

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

Another thing to consider is the quality of this new clutch. Modern Borg & Beck are now Chinese made I believe and, although 250 miles is fairly drastic, they don't last as long as the originals.

Check pedal free play and clearances first.

[lambrettalad]

if it's gone at 250 miles then it must a disposable clutch

I would go for adjustment first as kennet said .

just a quick thought was the car hot when the fault happened? if so will it work when cold? if so could be a sticking clutch on the main shaft,did you put a smidgin of gold/coper slip on the shaft?

[bmcecosse]

Must be something to do with operations - don't rush in to engine removal till you SEE what wrong... There are spy holes in the bell housing. Shine a light in one and put your eye to the other.

[MarkyB]

Absolutely!
Does the pedal feel different?

Clutch works smoothly

Or doesn't work from the sound of it!

[southerly95]

Clutch pedal worked well and felt smooth with engine switched off - clutch linkages ALL new a week ago and correctly adjusted. Checked visually could see no probs. Moved engine fwd this eve finding bits of black splinters in bell housing as I opened it up. As the plate came out the friction material on one side of the plate disintegrated. A return spring was also loose within the cover but showed no damage. No copper grease was used on the splines.
This was a new B and B clutch. Why isn't the face plate scored? Still not clear why it would not disengage unless particles and splinters jammed it somehow?
See pics below:

[frame][/frame][frame][/frame]

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

[]

Look out for an old asbestos one still with some 'meat' left on it.

[mike.perry]

Was the drive plate fitted the correct way round? "This Side Facing Engine?"
Looks like a return to suppliers job

[southerly95]

The plate itself is fragile - unlike the NOS one I've just bought from ebay [frame][/frame]

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

Do let us know how you get on with the NOS one.

[Tom and Maria]

I had the engine out a couple of weeks ago to replace a wrecked b&b pressure plate. Was very glad to have a nice old spare kicking about. I know they're meant to be the best, but don't think I'll be fitting one again.

Tom