'74 260--Only Shifts into Reverse

[austex]

So I went out to run some errands, backed out of the driveway, then noticed that I couldn't shift into 1st. I got it back in the driveway and it turns out I can't shift into anything other than reverse. Hoping it's something simple and not that I need a new clutch. What do y'all think?

[MikeW]

Can you shift into any gear when the engine is not even running? The first thing I'd check is the level of fluid in the clutch master cylinder.

[austex]

Yes, I was forgot to add that I can shift when the engine's off. I recently topped off the clutch master cylinder, too.

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Is there supposed to be oil coming out of the shifter boot? If I push on it, oil comes out, and it was already covered in it before I did anything. I mean the rubber boot at the base of the stick. Not the other one of course.

[Arne]

But with the engine running and the car stationary, you can shift into reverse, but not into any of the other gears?

[austex]

Yes. With the engine running and the car stationary, I can only shift into reverse.

I've never had a car with a hydraulic clutch before. I'm assuming the thing on the underside of the clutch that looks like a piston that would pump the fluid into the clutch is just that? Maybe that needs replacing? Because I noticed that the clutch fluid is at the same exact level that it was 3 weeks ago when I changed it out.

[Arne]

I'm having a bit of difficulty pinning this on the clutch if you can shift into reverse. The process for forward and reverse is the same.

If the area in front of the car is clear, you could try putting it in first or second with the engine off, then try to start it with the clutch pedal depressed. Be vary cautious with this, as if there is a clutch problem the car could lurch forward even with the pedal depressed. If the car starts normally (no lurching forward), then carefully try to move forward.

Please try this and report back what happened.

Also, remember that if the car lurches forward when you start it in gear that pressing the clutch WON'T STOP IT. If it starts moving forward, turn off the ignition and stand on the brake!

[Arne]

Also, remember that if the car lurches forward when you start it in gear that pressing the clutch WON'T STOP IT. If it starts moving forward, turn off the ignition and stand on the brake!

[austex]

Alright, I put it into first while the engine was off, and then I started it.....and it lurched forward like crazy and wouldn't start. Now the clutch pedal is really really easy to depress.

[Arne]

OK, I can't quite fathom why you could get reverse, but the clutch is not working. The next step will require a second body. With the engine off, have someone press the pedal in and out while you watch to see if the slave cylinder on the transmission is moving the end of the clutch fork.

If the clutch fork moves, something is wrong inside the clutch. But more than likely, you have a stuck piston in the master cylinder, or one or both of the cylinders are bad.

[austex]

Okay, the piston on the slave cylinder moves when the clutch pedal is depressed, but it doesn't seem like it travels very far.

Thanks for the help so far, by the way.

[sblake01]

Sounds like you have air in the hydraulic system probably caused by a leak. What do you mean by 'changed it out' in your earlier post? You have to bleed a hydraulic clutch like you do brakes. Do you see any evidence of a fluid leak on either the master or the slave cylinder? Your comment "Now the clutch pedal is really really easy to depress" makes me think you have a leak.

[austex]

Yeah, I was kind of wondering that too. And by changed, I mean I siphoned out the old fluid that looked old and nasty and replaced it with new fluid. Like I said, I don't have much experience with hydraulic clutches...