VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 Clutch will not release after winter storage

My 1939 car has been stored for 6 months. Everything was OK at last drive in october. Now the clutch will not release when pushing the pedal, so gear shift is not possible with engine running. All clutch parts were new about 10 years ago, and has not run more than 2000 miles.
Any good idea to try to solve the problem in an easy way? I dont want to remove transmission and clutch.

My 38 sticks if I leave it parked for an extended period with the clutch engaged. I keep a length of 1x2 wedged from the dash lip to the clutch pedal, holding it about half way in when it's parked for more than a few days now. When mine sticks I let it warm up in neutral then shut it off, put it in gear with the clutch depressed, start it and drive it with the clutch depressed. In my case the clutch breaks free pretty quickly. Of course you'll need to be ready to pop it into neutral if a stop is required before the clutch frees up. Keep the clutch pedal depressed the whole time you're driving it until it frees up.

Problem solved. Thanks for your suggestion. I had to solve the problem inside the garage. First I warmed the engine. Then I used a piece of wood to hold the clutch depressed, as you said. Put the transmission in first gear and then used the original starter crank to turn the engine. First revolution was very heavy, but got gradually easier. First time ever I get use of the old crank.

Great approach to solve a common problem. I never had this problem in my ‘37. It still had the original clutch disc. I think the newer friction materials (non-asbestos) tend to be more prone to stick.

Must be another reason, because my friction plate is a NORS, manufactured by Ess-a-e stated for Chevrolet 1938-42. So it must be produced in the 1940ies.

I have never had that problem with my 37 or 48 but I have had it with my 33. I freed it up in the manner described by Tiny. I don't keep the clutch depressed during storage as the problem rarely occurs, I think twice in the last 43 years.

The only time I have had this problem I warmed the engine the started in 1st gear and drive 1/2 mile with clutch depressed and occasional hard jab on the brakes but that was after parking 4 years
Tony

a. Mash the clutch and keep it mashed.

b. Crawl under the car with scraper or thin screw driver and a light hammer.\

c. Remove the flywheel cover.

d. Place scraper or screwdriver where pressure plate or flywheel meets disc.

e. Tap gentle with hammer wedging the scraper or screwdriver and sinking it between the contract surfaces..

f. After moving the scraper or screwdriver around some, it will soon pop loose.

h. Send me some of your loose change.

Good luck to any of you who encounter this problem.

Best,

Charlie