clutch issues (engaging/disengaging when cold)

[xhaust50]

My 90 GSX has a rebuilt tranny and transfercase from Mitsubishi graveyard. I also have an ACT 2600 clutch. All the work was done by the previous owner. The problem is, sometimes when the car is cold it is nearly impossible to get the car in gear, and the car will role forwards with the clutch all the way down in first gear. It's also difficult to disengage the clutch when first driving around. This seems to only have happened relatively recently.

After a few minutes, the clutch grabs higher and the tranny shifts like butter. The clutch still grabs pretty low, but it is definitely in neutral with the clutch to the floor, which is more than I can say when it is cold. I'm not sure where to start. Clutch pressure is good, and the clutch doesn't slip at all.

I don't know much about transmissions, but I would imagine that either the clutch needs to be adjusted, or possibly the throwout bearing might be a problem. I'm hoping its not the actual clutch or tranny, but I would need to yank the tranny if its the TOB anyway, correct?

Your thoughts?

 

[xhaust50]

Oh, and the clutch fluid was filled above the max, so I just put it where it should be. Not sure if that was any sort of factor, but it is now at the appropriate fluid level.

 

[My1GLaser]

Look under the car and see where the clutch fork is sitting relative to the engine/tranny. The very end of it is where the slave cylinder pushes and it should be very close to center of the "rectangle" with the rubber protective boot. If it is closer to the engine or tranny than it needs adjusted. (I can't remember which way right now, but I swear I read a vfaq on it) Especially on a 2600. I couldn't get mine in or out of gear when I first installed it. I had to adjust the rod under the dash that goes into the top of the clutch pedal assembly and it worked fine. What tranny fluid are you running?

Maybe the prev owner adjusted the rod under the dash, but didn't tighten the locking nut and its been slowly getting worse?

 

[eclipsh]

You may also have some air in your lines, probably due to a worn master or slave cylinder. If it gets better after a few pumps that is usually the culprit.

 

[xhaust50]

Still haven't had a chance to look at it yet. Another piece of information though - it goes in and out of gear perfectly when the car isn't running. Does that eliminate any possibilities?

 

[xhaust50]

Oh no. I just realized it goes through the gears just as easily without my foot on the clutch. I'm taking it to get looked at this week. Any ideas?