Clutch out or something else?

[just4fun]

I have a 74 Ascona with 4 speed tranny. In first gear I have to have the clutch pedal right at the top with nothing to give in order for it to catch. In reverse it's still at the top for there is a little left. I haven't had the car driving fast enough to check the other gears. I'm 95 percent sure it needs a new clutch but I'm also wonder if it could be the scyro's since it acts different between the two gears or can I tighten the cable on the clutch to see if that helps? Thanks!

[opelnut10]

Originally Posted by just4fun I have a 74 Ascona with 4 speed tranny. In first gear I have to have the clutch pedal right at the top with nothing to give in order for it to catch. In reverse it's still at the top for there is a little left. I haven't had the car driving fast enough to check the other gears. I'm 95 percent sure it needs a new clutch but I'm also wonder if it could be the scyro's since it acts different between the two gears or can I tighten the cable on the clutch to see if that helps? Thanks!

I would try adjusting the clutch first (stud and nut on the back of the bell housing) Adjust it by taking the e-clip out of the clutch cable at the firewall, loosen the jam nut on the stud and turn it in or out until you have 3/4 inch play on the throw out arm and lock the jamb nut. Go to the clutch cable and pull it out as far as it will come and put the e-clip in the second groove from the firewall. Good luck

[First opel 1981]

Its not the synchros. If it was, then the car wouldn't want to go into gear.
I am almost certain that you can just adjust the clutch and fix it (if you mean it is slipping).

You can inspect the clutch, though its difficult, by removing the boot off of the clutch fork (on the left side of the tranny) and using an inspection mirror to look into the little space between the pressure plate and the flywheel. As I said, its difficult. You would also need to know how much clutch disk you are supposed to have.

[just4fun]

Worked on the car a bit today. I didn't get to tightening the clutch cable yet because I found the brakes on the front were super tight. I bled it out a bit and it loosened but as soon as I touched the brake pedal again it was pretty well locked on. The pad look new, but I try to opel the caliper a bit by wedging a piece of wood in. The wood gave way before the piston did so I'm thinking I might need to get some rebuilt calipers.

[First opel 1981]

Is the brake pedal at the top when the front brakes are tight? How far can you pull the E-brake up?

In order for the calipers to back off, you need to open the petcock so the fluid has someplace to go. With the petcock closed, you could pry all day with wood and never get anywhere.

If the E-brake only comes up a couple notches, then the rear brakes might need adjusting to get the front ones to loosen up.

[just4fun]

The E brake comes up pretty far. Now that you mention it I don't think the petcock was open when we pried on it. I'll give that a try and let you guys know!