Clutch slipping?

[SpyderJoe]

Hi guys,
I have been enjoying my 79 Spider this year though i recently started experiencing a problem when starting from a stop. As I let the clutch out the car starts shaking and it is difficult to get the car to move. if I am going down hill, it is easier. Changing gears from 1st -2nd, 2nd-3rd and so on are fine. It is just from a dead stop. I have to really gun it to get the car to move. Is it a slipping clutch? I have owned the car for 13 yrs and haven't had to do any transmission work. the transmission has always been strong. Let me know what you think.

Thanks.

[baltobernie]

Sure sounds like a worn or glazed clutch. How much free pedal travel do you have before before you feel resistance?

[SpyderJoe]

I haven't measured the free play in the clutch but there seems to be alot of play before there is any resistance. Is there a way to measure this along with a specification to compare the results against?

[So Cal Mark]

get rolling about 20mph and put it in 3rd gear and see how it accelerates. A slipping clutch will allow the engine to rev up under that load

[boogiedude]

Could be the input shaft bearing. Makes coming off the line very shakey when it goes bad.

[SpyderJoe]

Boogiedude, It shakes like a mutha' when I start to move. problem seems to be worse after it is driven and all warmed up.

I will try the 3rd gear take off to see how it performs.

[baltobernie]

I haven't measured the free play in the clutch but there seems to be alot of play before there is any resistance. Is there a way to measure this along with a specification to compare the results against?

You could crawl under the steering wheel with a ruler, but you should be able to estimate an inch or two with your foot pressing on the pedal. If the travel is more than halfway, as you've intimated, maybe a cable adjustment will keep you out of the shop for a little while. Loosen the lock nut jammed against the "acorn nut" at the transmission, and tighten clockwise a few turns at a time to get to the 2" zone.

[So Cal Mark]

thumping on take off is normally a sign of bad trans mount, broken flex joint or failed center support. Or if you're lucky, all 3 maladies at once

[SpyderJoe]

Thanks Mark. It is definitely clanking underneath but I thought it was my exhaust bouncing around because the car shakes so badly. It seems like the shaking is worse after driving for a while. Would this be a typical symptom of what you are suggesting? I will try and diagnose it this week/weekend and be back with my conclusions.

On a good note, I installed a new K&N filter setup and a sweet airhorn, (purchased at IAP), and it sounds nice. Now I just have to get it this issue fixed and I will be a happy camper.

[rlux4]

Mark is speaking the truth. I recently had the front U-joint that had slipped off center in the yoke and it ended up breaking my flex joint and center bearing support bracket. It was hard to find the problem because I was checking for looseness in the U-joint and it was still solid. And it was causing clunking that sounded like exhaust banging on the body.
Ron