i have just got my locost running with a 2 l pinto fitted escort axle just doing the finishing touches sharp edges ect but now i have a problem getting any gears the donor car was spot on a month ago starts up no problem but no gears any ideas

did yer fit the gear box........its been known for people to forget......

is it "graunching" when you try to put it in gear, or is it going in but the drive's not being taken up?

Cheers

Chris

If you can get gears with the engine off but only get a graunching when the engine is running then you need to follow 2 lines of investigation.

How heavy is clutch pedal. this might sound silly but the ford clutch is designed for a specific lever action to throw ratio. If the pedal is too heavy in operation then you end up with insufficient throw & clearance at the business end & a graunching noise cos the clutch aint clearing. Lay first 2 fingers against clutch pedal rubber & press. The pedal should give full delflection effortlessly.

If pedal heavy, either linkage fault (cable or Hydraulic you didn't specify) or clutch cover faulty (gone stiff, is it a new cover and what make is it. Genuine Ford clutches are manufactured by LUK [ available from most good factors about £45 complete, dealer unit £120?!]).

If pedal is light in operation then you have probaly got a fault with the linkage set up. To much throw on clutch (unlikely cos you would have been able to get gears smootly at some point occasionaly) or more likely insuficient travel on pedal giving insufcient throw on clutch.

If cable clutch the you probably need to rework your pedal to give you a longer lever and more throw on you clutch. Also the Ford clutch was designed to work with a small(ish) V shaped rubber insulator fitted between the clutch cable & the clutch relase bearing carrier arm did you know about this & did you fit one THEY DO make Quite a difference to the opperation & LIFE of the clutch (about £1.2 dealer only).

If hydraulic then you need to go for either a bigger mater cylinder, or a smaller slave cylinder.

Hope this all helps.
If you need more help just AAsk,

or maybe the plate has stuck to the fly wheel or cover

[Edited on 16/12/02 by jollygreengiant]