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ok so heres the deal i go in to move the packard today and the clutch will not disengage to put into 1st and if i try to start in first it lurches forward as if im starting it without pushing in the clutch. any ideas as to whats wrong?

If the clutch pedal and all related feel normal, then I'd guess the clutch disk has stuck to the pressure plate or flywheel. I had that experience and it was a pain. Finally broke free after several attempts at pushing trying to rock the car and several more attempts to start it regularly. Hopefully someone has a better suggestion.

HH56 probably has the correct explanation, and it's not an uncommon occurance on cars in long storage, especially in damp conditions. Hence the old practice of useing a length of wood to block the clutch pedal downwards during long storage.

To break it loose:

Place transmission in gear. Preferably high gear but any of them will do ok. Keep clutch pedal pushed in.
With ignition switch OFF or coil wire disconnected engage the starter just mommentarily for maybe 2 or 3 seconds. Repeat the process. It should break loose after about the 3rd try.

I prefer rocking the car back and forth by muscle power. But i have done it several times using the above method.

Also be sure that u have a CLEAR PATHWAY in the direction in which gear u have placed the shift lever.

Quote:

That couldn't be too good for any of the springs involved.

Block it just enuf to slightly release it.

Block it just enuf to slightly release it.

Yes, agreed, good advice. And the springs are under compression anyway for their entire lives, even when the clutch is "at rest"; doubt a tad more is going to make any significant difference, at least not with a quality pressure plate.

went out to work on clutch and miraculously it worked.thanks for the replies