T5 shifting problem

[krowbar]

85' GT with 89' 5.0 and Borg/Warner T5 with RAM flywheel, pressure plate, and clutch.
Has BBK clutch cable and Quadrant. Reluctantly I have let the car set dormant,occasionally driving it to keep things "moving". RAM setup has about 2500 average driving miles on it. PROBLEM- last time I drove the car,couple weeks, it ran and shifted fine. Now when the motor is running it won't shift into any gear. It will move the car slightly when I try to put it in gear. It will only shift when the motor's not running. Clutch pedal feels normal. I can't adjust the clutch any tighter on the tranny. I wonder if the clutch seized itself to the flywheel? Does the tranny oil level have anything to do with something like this, and where do I fill it?

 

[87'GTstang]

Absolutely, check the tranny fluid level. Worst-case scenarios your synchros are worn (which doesn't happen immediately), or you have pressure plate failure.

Can you actually feel the clutch engage and disengage however?

 

[dvs bullet]

I had a problem with mine that I locked it self in gear because the selector pin had turned and jammed in the gear channel, maybe yours is starting to turn? Mine started by locking in gear after driving on the highway for a while.

 

[mooktank]

tranny oil should be checked but none of it comes into contact with the clutch ever. Go under the car with it up and remove the check bolt and if some flows out you have enough. Its right on the side you cant miss it.

 

[87'GTstang]

tranny oil should be checked but none of it comes into contact with the clutch ever. Go under the car with it up and remove the check bolt and if some flows out you have enough. Its right on the side you cant miss it.

Make sure you take out the upper one just to clear it up of any possible mistake.......

 

[krowbar]

It feels like the pressure plate is engaging

 

[v8only]

probably not a big deal. Sounds like you are not disengaging all the way, and that's why it won't go into gear, and why it rolls forward when in gear.

I'll put money on a stretched clutch cable. Crawl under the car(support securely with jack stands), pull the clutch fork dust cover off, have a friend step on the clutch, and see if you are getting full movement of the clutch fork.

your flywheel and clutch shouldn't seize from sitting (of course anything could happen). My mustang has sat for the better part of the last two years, and I fire it up and drive it on occasion with no problems (in between rounds of mods) if the clutch cable winds up being ok, try driving it and letting the clutch out a little, maybe that will be enough to break up any rust in there.

 

[5spd GT]

v8only - I sent you a PM

 

[fost9508]

I have noticed that my car will roll forward ever so slightly even though I have the clutch to the floor. In one post someone mentioned getting under the car and checking to make sure the clutch fork fully disengages. Not being a clutch expect or car expert for that matter, how can you tell if the fork is fully disengaged? Is there a certain distance I am looking for and landmark of any sort?

Thanks,

 

[v8only]

Fost, that's exactly how I burnt out my first clutch. It's rolling at a stop cause it's not fully disengaging. Not only that, but for your, it's a bitch to put into gear, reverse grinds a whole lot, and it picks up RIGHT off the floor.

it's your adjustment, you're too loose. Tighten the adjustment. CLick on my article if you're not sure how, it's in the link in my sig under tech articles. that should take care of your problem.

 

[krowbar]

Since I've posted this I have checked the fluid level-good.
The clutch fork goes all the way in( about 1/4" from touching the bellhousing)
I can't actually see the clutch w/o taking the the dust cover off(Perfectlly placed starter bolts)

 

[v8only]

see the problem is still that it is not disengaging all the way. If you are getting complete movement of the clutch fork, then there is a chance something crazy like the throwout bearing could have pushed through the pressure plate fingers

 

[krowbar]

I need to take the dust cover off this weekend and see what's going on in there.

 

[krowbar]

it seems more like its not engaging at all.
I cant even get the car to shift into gear unless the engine is off.

 

[v8only]

I thought you already pulled the cover off and looked at the fork???

watch the fork move, see what happens, look inside, not sure what you can see

 

[krowbar]

I don't have a cover over the fork.
I have to pull the inspection cover- between the motor and trans.
The one that the starter is attatched to.

 

[Js5ohLX]

I don't think that cover will help you. Its a plate.

 

[v8only]

yes, that's a plate, not like an auto transmission setup.

the ONLY view your gonna get is through the clutch fork dust cover, if you can't see anything.....

 

[krowbar]

It's a plate yes, but if I take the starter out wouldn't I be able to see the clutch from that side?
Instead of just the pressure plate from the drivers side.

 

[golfnutjetsfan]

Hi, assumming that your clutch fork is moving the proper distance when the pedal is depressed as you said, it sounds more like your clutch disc is rusted to your flywheel and not disengaging the trans from the motor. You stated that you can only shift if the engine is shut off, if you put the car in first gear (not running) and try to start the car with the clutch pedal down does the car creep forwald as the starter turns and if the car starts does it does it drive away just as if the clutch pedal is up? If so the disc being stuck is probably your issue. Try driving the car around with the pedal down to see if the heat and the engines tourque will break it loose. I have seen this happen a few times with cars that sat a lot. None of this is any help if the clutch fork is not moving.

Frank