<VV> Catch in Clutch

[HallGrenn at aol.com]

Mark,
 
First, everything everyone else has said.  I've only had this problem  on 
LMs.  The causes were as follows:
 
    The metal cover and nylon washer that "sealed" the  clutch rod going 
into the bell housing.  The rod gets a little rusty and  catches the nylon 
washer  which jams binding the rod's movement.   Cured when the thin sheet 
metal cover finally tears off.  Never replaced  and I'd guess not a lot of daily 
driver cars still have these parts.
    Worn and torn rubber and metal seal where the  clutch cable comes out 
of the tunnel binding on the rusty clutch cable  rod.
    Really dry rear clutch cross shaft.  If the  nylon plug has never been 
replaced with a Zerk fitting now is the time to do so  and grease it.
    Badly scored clutch cable ball at the dash on  '65-'68 cars which 
didn't allow the ball to pivot so it got cocked in its cage,  the cable was 
effectively shortened and came to full clutch release  sooner and didn't allow 
full movement of the clutch pedal.  If it pops  loose while you are pushing on 
the clutch pedal you'll hear the cable  twang.  Cured when the stress on 
the swaged end of the cable at the ball  broke.  Solution--lightly grease 
cable ball and check for free  movement.
    Clutch pedal nylon sleeve where the pedal pivots on  the rod under the 
dash.  If it isn't completely gone try some Teflon spray  to see if it 
improves.  I'm pretty sure the brake pedal and clutch pedal  nylon sleeves are 
interchangeable so if you end up removing the assembly, and  you don't have 
new ones on hand, try switching them between pedals.
 
Best of luck with it,
 
Bob Hall
Group Corvair
Corvanatics
CORSA