F8 clutch - help!

[david moore]

Need some advice on what ails my clutch! I can't disengage it enough to get into any gear when the engine is running. The clutch pedal operates the throwout bearing lever seemingly all the way - and when the engine was out, bearing lever and throwout bearing seemed to work just fine. Could it be that the clutch disc is "welded" closed by long neglect? (Yes, of course I should have disassembled the clutch while the engine was out but it seemed OK at the time!) I have even removed the sheet metal around the clutch pedal since the pedal was fouling on the foot well metal. Still no joy.

Another point with the clutch - the book says to adjust the pedal/ rod to give an inch or so free movement - but the pedal/rod system is rigidly linked such that the throwout bearing lever moves instantly with pedal movement - so what is meant by "free movement"?