okay, so i just swapped a 1.8L into my '90. the engine starts fine and everything, but then i go to put my car into gear and it doesn't move. when pressing the clutch pedal, the slave pushes the plunger, so i don't think the slave's the issue.

i did notice a couple of odd things though. first thing is that i can freely move the shift **** through the gears without the clutch engaged and the engine running. second thing is that it now requires extra effort to move the shift **** into both the 5th gear and reverse positions.

any ideas on what this could be? thanks for any help.

 

Missing clutch friction plate?

 

you know what, i'm not gonna lie. i didn't take the trans off to make 100% certain that all the clutch components were there when it was shipped. the engine and trans were bolted together and shipped to me on a palette. stupid part on me for assuming, i know. any other ideas that don't involve removing the trans for the present moment? i don't want to drop it or pull the engine/trans if it's unnecessary.

 

Does it still put a load on the engine and not go anywhere. Like it wants to die out when releasing the clutch. You may have the infamous 5th-reverse shift linkage dislocation.

 

only pressing the clutch puts a load on the engine. i noticed that when i had my sister push on the clutch pedal when i was bleeding the slave.

 

What? Pressing on the clutch pedal puts a load on the engine but releasing it does not? This seems backwards.

 

i'll bring my sis back out with me to double check that, but that's how i remember it...

 

Where in Chicagoland are you located?

Does it seem like the shifter goes into 5th and reverse completely or does it go part way and stop? Like the shifter isn't fully engaged.

 

okay, i just checked it. after i released the clutch pedal it acted like it wanted to die very briefly. sorry for the mix up

 

south elgin

 

What about the shifter? Does it seem like the shifter goes into 5th and reverse completely or does it go part way and stop? Like the shifter isn't fully engaged.

Also are your reverse lights on when the key is on and it's in neutral?

 

shifter goes in all the way to 5th and reverse. reverse lights only come on when i slide it into neutral.

 

So your reverse lights definitely come on when it's in neutral correct?

When you released the clutch and it seemed like it wanted to die, did it seem like it was in a gear even though the shifter was in neutral?

 

correct, the reverse lights definately come on when it's in neutral. i was able to check this out because i can now leave the car in gear with it running and it won't bog. it just idles.

not exactly sure what you're referring to by does it seem like it's in gear even though the shifter's in neutral. i can tell you though that rowing through the gears is just like normal until i get to 5th. 5th is extremely difficult to force in, reverse just takes a little more effort than normal.

 

What I mean is when the shifter is in neutral and the e-brake is off will the car move like it's still in a gear when you release the clutch?

 

i'll check real quick and get back to ya. it's still up on jack stands.

 

Reverse lights on while in neutral:

You will need to remove the 'reverse sensor switch' and slide the 5th/reverse shift rod back into 'neutral' position.

More information can be found on miata.net, in the garage section...
http://www.miata.net/garage/stuckreverse.html

disregard the suggestion that it only happens on very early 1.6's. I've had it happen on my '94....way back when it was stock

 

Leave it on the stands, just see if the tires spin.

That's excactly what I was getting at, fooger. Thanks, maybe I can quit typing.

 

nope. it just sits there.

 

it was only up on one stand by the passenger front wheel