When I got my car it wasn't running. After a ton of work it runs. The clutch pedal used to do nothing when I got it. So I replaced the clutch master and slave. But it still doesn't disengage the clutch. Now if I have the car running and push the pedal all the way down I hear a slight whine but still can't shift the car into gear. If I start it in gear the clutch seems to grab fine. I tried speeding up to about 10mph and slamming the clutch and brake at the same time but it still didn't free up. What can it be? The car has an 81 drive train in it. Its a 12a with 5speed stick.

 

While the engine is idling, have somene step on the clutch pedal while you observe the slave cylinder if the rod is moving as in pushing the t/o bearing arm. If it does, it is time for a new clutch

 

Its definitely moving, but how do I know if its moving far enough?

 

Then its time for a new clutch...an hour job

 

Did your car sit for a long time? If so the clutch may be stuck. Try this. Before starting the car, push in the clutch pedal, put it in 1st gear and hit the starter while holding the clutch pedal down. If the car tries to move then you know its not disengaging, either the slave is not moving enough or the disc is stuck to the flywheel.

 

Its only an hour to change? How expensive are the clutch kits?

I did try to free it up like that but its not coming loose I also drove a little while holding the clutch in and it didnt free up. All I heard was like a light wine kind of like a power steering pump makes.

 

He can do his in an hour, It will take longer if you have never done one.

 

I had an old Datsun pickup that had a stuck clutch. I tried and tried to get it loose and finally out of frustration I jacked up the rear end with a floor jack, cranked it up put it in 1st gear, revved it up as fast as I dared and had my buddy drop the jack. The shock of the wheels getting traction did the trick. I drove it for five years after that, never did have to change the clutch.