I've finally got my rebuilt engine from Atkins back in the car, and I'm having some clutch issues.

First, I'll give some history.
Car is an 87TII. The original engine blew coolant seals and was removed. The engine was replaced with a JDM S5 long block (S4 harness and N332 ECM), and an S4 front cover was used for oil metering pump. Car ran well until blown apex seal. Engine was replaced with Atkins street ported S5 block, and now we're here.

The car won't go in to gear while running. It will start in gear, but definately dragging the clutch. It will shift in to every gear while off. Trans had no issues during any engine change. Upon inspection through cover at the bottom of trans, I was able to verify that the clutch is engaging, coming off the flywheel, when the pedal is depressed.

I removed the transmission tonight and upon inspection, I see no signs of galling, or seizing. The pilot bearing spins freely. There is little to no grease on the bearing, though. The bearing was installed by Atkins, new.

The clutch consists of a ACT prolite flywheel and ACT stage one clutch and pressure plate. The throughout bearing spins freely with no signs of notching.

What could this be? What should I look for here?
TIA

 

you need to adjust the clutch at the pedal, under the dash. There are 2 nut s that lock against each other, 12mm and 10mm if memory serves.

 

+1.. there is a small adjustment bolt(shaft) I believe it is a 10mm wrench.. Do a little adjusting until it hits the sweet spot.

 

I must have forgot to mention that I've already flushed and bled the clutch master cylinder, along with adjusting the pedal. The clutch does 'feel' a bit more vague (got a little better after bleeding) than I remember, but I haven't driven the car in a few months.
I've also adjusted the clutch at the pedal. I've gone so far as to preload the pushrod to try for more movement and still can't get past this....

Thanks for the ideas, please keep em coming. I've got a week before I move 30 miles away and one pissed off old lady.

 

Try replacing the Clutch master & slave. It's pretty cheap and could fix the problem.

 

Can you shift gears without engadging the clutch? One time my clutch went out and I just speed matched to shift? will it go into gears that way?

Have you checked the fork that pushes the TOB onto the pressure plate? Was it damaged or bent or broken.?

 

Had the car been driven at normally prior to the issue (since the rebuild and install)??

Just wondering if it is possible that a pin broke in the transmission or something.. Will the car shift fine after it is in 1st gear?

 

The trans goes in to gear fine while the car is not running... every gear.

I can't get the car moving down the road to shift without the clutch. It will start in gear, definately feels like the clutch is dragging, though. The engine turns noticeably slower while in gear.

I have checked the fork for no visible signs of damage.

The car had been driven with no issues in the transmission.

 

since the rebuilt?

 

I am guessing weak slave cyl... how long was it down for the rebuild?

 

The trans goes in to gear fine now, after (and before) the rebuild. Only not going in to gear while runnning.

The engine was out for about four months. The slave is about four years old, so I went ahead and got a replacement to go in tonight....