Shift help!

[Bruce Botti]

Hello to All,
I just wanted to share a problem that I had with a "Unique" clutch. I have the standard Unique setup with a Southern Auto 406 and Toploader. It also has the blowshield and Aluminum flywheel from Southern Auto.

When I first got it running, it shifted smoothly into all gears. The 4th time that I took it around the block, I left it outside to cool down. When I went to go around again, it would not shift into 1st or reverse. I started it in first gear and brought it into the garage. I checked for leaks, re-bled the slave, and adjusted the slave to bellhousing rod. Still nothing. I found this thread and tried all the tricks in here. Still nothing. I adjusted the slave rod again, far beyond where I would normally. Still grinds. Then, I took out the rear top bolt that holds in the clutch pedal to allow me to get much more pedal travel. I had the pedal and the slave cylinder adjusted all the way out to where you could barely lift your foot up to hit the pedal. It still ground. Then, I thought I would take it up the road regardless. I put it in reverse to start it, and it flew backwards. Luckily, I am the conservative type so I had already made sure that there was nothing behind me. I decided to put it back in the garage by starting it in first. It did not lurch when it started. I thought this was a bit odd, so I went to shift into reverse, and there was no grind. Now it works fine except for the clutch grabbing way too high, and the pedal needs to be adjusted back to make it more comfortable. What must have happened is that the clutch must have bonded to the flywheel. I have only had this happen on cars left over the winter. I can't figure it out, but I guess S__T happens

Take care,
Bruce