Hello,

After fiddling with my grandfathers 1963 XKE, we have come across a clutch that we are not quite sure how to fix. The clutch would engage less and less as if there was an air bubble, however it now will not release. My grandfather believes the master cylinder piston is stuck, but is not sure as if it was it should release.

Any help would be great, as we are hoping not to have to take the entire clutch apart to find the problem.

 

Bleed system first. If no improvement, then you will have to remove slave cylinder not whole clutch. Not easy but with physical contortion possible.

 

There is a flexible hose between the hydraulic pipes, going to the slave cylinder.
These hoses can get worn, and tend to collapse with reverse pressure...As
your foot lifts off the pedal, pressure is reduced inside the hose, and it collapses, preventing the clutch from releasing......
That hose must be replaced...This is not the only cause of your problem, but it is a very common cause....Sometimes the collapse is not obvious, and only happens internally, where it is not noticable...It won't hurt to replace the hose,
if it is an old one...But it may fix your problem.
To replace the hose, you can cut it close to the fittings, and use a deep socket to remove the remaining fittings...You will have to remove the slave cylinder, to attach the new hose at both ends (unless the replacement has a swivel connection on one end, which is unlikely).
Edward

 

Hi Kurt,
I have seen this problem a few times over the past 42 years, sometimes its the hose as described above and other times its the slave cylinder. Without knowing how old these things are, just replace them both anyhow, Its a cheap fix and a new datum point to start any records from. Enjoy.. Hi Guys,, Im a newbie here after being away for several years.