Clutch does not disengage after change

[ehnaych]

Hi guys. I'm stuck. I pulled a dead transmission (no third gear) out of my '89 325i coupe and replaced it with a used, matching Getrag 260. At the same time I pulled the tired M20B25 (205K) and replaced it with a rebuilt 2.7i stroker. I also replaced the clutch (disc, pressure plate, throwout bearing) and the shift linkage at this time. Now, the engine is up and running, but when I push in the clutch pedal I get nothing. It goes to the floor with little effort but comes back up normally. It does not seem to disengage the clutch.
This happened and I pulled the tranny and it turns out I had installed the throwout bearing wrong. I have installed it and all the other clutch parts correctly (triple checked this time). The problem persists. Any help before I throw a new slave cylinder at it would be greatly appreciated. Any ideas what's not working?

[BaLListic_Evo]

my vote is clutch master unless there is fluid on the floor under the trans... also try to bleed the slave :)

[ehnaych]

my vote is clutch master unless there is fluid on the floor under the trans... also try to bleed the slave :)

Thanks. I wonder about the master, but the clutch was working before I did the work and the master was not touched. I will be bleeding the entire system as soon as the brakes show up and I can change fluid. Thanks for the input, I'm still optimistic that bleeding the slave will have some effect.


~Noel

[ehnaych]

Update

OK, I replaced the brakes (calipers, pads, rotors, and lines) and bled all brakes and the slave cylinder. Still no good on the clutch. The pedal functions as normal, if a little light. From under the tranny I can see that the rod in the slave cylinder is moving forward when the clutch pedal is pressed and returning when the pedal is let out. Any ideas why the clutch isn't disengaging? Thanks.


~Noel

[scottinAZ]

bout the only thing it could be is that the slave isnt engaging the lever that the throwout is attached to. Pull the slave and have a peek, see if the lever is there for it to contact. if it slipped out for some reason it would do what you are describing.

[ehnaych]

Ok, I got it fixed. Embarrassing as it sounds, I had installed the clutch disc itself backwards on the flywheel. Took it apart, put it together correctly and it works just fine. Oops. Thanks for the input guys.


~Noel

[Kingb]

Wow, I just put a clutch in for a friend in their 87 325e. I would hate to go through all that. I see that you pulled the tranny twice. I got everything up but the exhaust, Maybe I should check the pedal feel before putting the exhaust back on.