22-07-2021, 08:20 AM
Nick,
When you say "almost impossible to engage any gear" what is happening? Loud graunching sounds? Or is it physically hard to move the lever? Or something else...
My first thoughts are it must be clutch or gearbox, and needs to be narrowed down.
Start with what can easily be checked - for example, with the engine switched off does pedal operation feel normal? Can you now select gears?
You can see a certain amount down the opening for the clutch release bearing oiling tube. Peep down there with a torch and see if anything is adrift. As David suggests, clutch release bearing, maybe a broken clutch lever, bits of disintegrating lining?
From there I'd remove the flywheel cover - it's only 2 screws but can be a bit of a fiddle to get it off past the flywheel. Again, take a deep look inside, using a mirror if necessary. Then the gearbox top - 6 x 1/4 BSW screws. In 4 speed synchro boxes it's not unknown for too much free play to result in detent balls and springs pinging out. You might need to drain down the oil to see properly.
With luck these probings may reveal the cause and you just might find something which can be fixed in situ. Failing that it sounds like the engine must come out to provide access for analysis and repair.
Sorry if all the above sounds obvious but nothing is leaping out at me - you've just got to systematically work through the possibilities and it's usually best to start with whatever is easiest.
When you say "almost impossible to engage any gear" what is happening? Loud graunching sounds? Or is it physically hard to move the lever? Or something else...
My first thoughts are it must be clutch or gearbox, and needs to be narrowed down.
Start with what can easily be checked - for example, with the engine switched off does pedal operation feel normal? Can you now select gears?
You can see a certain amount down the opening for the clutch release bearing oiling tube. Peep down there with a torch and see if anything is adrift. As David suggests, clutch release bearing, maybe a broken clutch lever, bits of disintegrating lining?
From there I'd remove the flywheel cover - it's only 2 screws but can be a bit of a fiddle to get it off past the flywheel. Again, take a deep look inside, using a mirror if necessary. Then the gearbox top - 6 x 1/4 BSW screws. In 4 speed synchro boxes it's not unknown for too much free play to result in detent balls and springs pinging out. You might need to drain down the oil to see properly.
With luck these probings may reveal the cause and you just might find something which can be fixed in situ. Failing that it sounds like the engine must come out to provide access for analysis and repair.
Sorry if all the above sounds obvious but nothing is leaping out at me - you've just got to systematically work through the possibilities and it's usually best to start with whatever is easiest.