John (and others) -
First off, if you're having problems with a 1500 clutch not diengaging,
the forst thing to look at is the hydraulics. If you've done the
hydraulics (rebuilt or replaced both master and slave), than there's a
good chance that you have air in the system. The 1500 clutch hydraulics
are a total bitch to bleed. Honestly the most successful method I have
used is the one I came up with when I lost my temper.
Fill the reservoir, open the bleed valve, get in the car and stomp the
clutch pedal furiously (hard and fast) about 8 - 10 times. (Cussing is
optional.) Now close the bleed nipple, get an assistant, and bleed it
normally. The hydraulic line for the clutch in the 1500 actually loops
higher than the master cylinder, meaning that if you don't move some
serious fluid through in a hurry, the bubble(s) will just rock back and
forth at the top of the loop.
BTW: I changed over to DOT5 in the spring of 1996 during a >>complete<<
hydraulic overhaul. Every seal and hose replaced with new, and every
metal part either replaced or carefully flushed. 8 years, no problems.
Zero, zip nada. I firmly believe that the bad rap DOT5 has gotten is a
result of the fact that when they say it "isn't compatible with
mineral-oil based fluids", they mean it. Not only is it not compatible
with DOT 4 or 3, it isn't even compatible with seals that have been
exposed to DOT 4 or 3.
My experience, my $0.02.
Chris K.
John Gottstein wrote:
>Hi everybody,
>
>As you may know, I just put a new engine (and clutch kit) into my 1500 Midget
>this Spring. While driving it about 30 miles yesterday I began developing
>clutch problems and now need some help guessing what the problem could be.
>
>First, the 2nd gear chirped once, but I thought it was just my own bad
>driving. Then, the gears became slightly harder to set, but it was cold
>yesterday, so I thought that was the problem. Then, near the end of my ride,
>every time I decelerated a little, there was a sound from the engine like
>something was still spinning and winding down well after the car decelerated.
>Since I was on the Parkway, I had to keep going, but the sound got
>progressively louder and worse over about 5 miles. When I hit the first full
>stop at a traffic light, I couldn't engage any gears and had to roll the car
>into a nearby parking lot.
>
>Does this sound like I have a fluid leak, or something even worse, like a
>loose flywheel or something? Any suggestions for problems to look for are
>very appreciated.
>
>Thanks!
>
>John Gottstein
>'75 Midget
>Now sitting in Edison, NJ
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