Just getting my car back together. 73 Duster 440/4 speed/Dana 60.Car hasn,t been driven in over 1 1/2 years.The clutch was stuck to the flywheel, so I pushed it out of the Garage put it in first gear with the clutch pedal pushed in and bumped the started.After 3 or 4 tries it released so I drove the car thru town and on the highway for about 20 minutes.Felt like all was normal.Get in the car today and the same problem is back. When I push in the clutch it feels like its not engageing the pressure plate(no resistance)Crawled underneath and all of the mechanical linkage is working properly.Feels like the pressure plate is not pushing back.Tried bumping it over in gear with the pedal depressed, but it will not release. Any ideas? Thanks, Dave

One guess might be badly fatigued springs in the pressure plate.

Combining your symptoms with the inspection result that nothing whatsoever is wrong with the clutch linkage or its adjustment, I am hard pressed for any solution to suggest that does not involve disassembly and inspection of the parts.

The pressure plate,clutch disk and flywheel are all Mcleod pieces (diaphram) probably about 4 years old ,but with only about 200 miles on them .Car sat for a long time only being started and not driven.Just looking for any possible options before I pull the transmission out. Thanks for any suggestions. Dave

One keyboard jockey's input does not a solution make.

It's no longer Winter outside, but hopefully there will be input from others.

Pull the dust cover from the bottom of the bellhousing, have somebody depress the clutch pedal then check the clearance between the disc and the flywheel or pressure plate. If there is clearance, see if the disc will move forward and back on the input shaft splines.

If it won't move for/aft the disc is too tight on the input shaft, if it will move for/aft but won't spin the pilot bearing is too tight.

Its a Lakewood blowproof so there is no access unless I pull everything apart.Thanks for the advice. Dave

make sure the torque rod(z bar) isn't cracked/broken-happened on my Valiant and I didn't see it 'till I dropped the tranny to replace the clutch which had nothing wrong with it

The z-bar is a new Brewers peice . No obvious damage there. Looks like my only option is to take the trans out. Thanks for all replys. Dave

Whoops! Just reread the post. Guess you already tried this. Good luck!


This is a common problem on tractors that are left sitting over winter especially in high humidity areas. The clutch disc may be rusted to the flywheel. You may be able to break it loose by putting the trany in top gear and with the clutch pushed in bump the starter several times. Keep our foot on the brakes and block the tires. You might also pull the coil wire too.