While it may look from the outside like I go into every workday with a plan, the truth is that I rarely do unless I’ve got a clear plan mapped out. In the cases where there is no plan, I often spend the day bouncing from one small project to another letting my ADD get the better of me. So in the spirit of using this page both as a place to record what I’ve already done and keep a list of things I intend to do, here’s another list.
One of my main goals is to unstick the clutch in the driveway. The inspection cover is still off, and I’ve been squirting PBblaster between the flywheel and clutch disc every day, but I suspect I’ve got to do a couple of things to really make a difference:
- Put it in neutral and bump the starter to spin the flywheel around.
- Spray penetrant on this newly exposed area.
- Prop the clutch pedal down so it’s mechanically disengaged.
- Get underneath and, with a thin metal putty knife, and try to separate the clutch and flywheel.
- Add more penetrant, bump the starter to spin the disc, and repeat.
- If that doesn’t work, the next step will be to put it in high gear, hold down the brakes, and bump the starter. This might release the clutch.
- If that fails, the next suggestion is to get the truck idling to temperature to let the heat expand the two surfaces and hopefully the combination of that and penetrant will help unstick the two.
I’ve got to pick up some new fuel filters and exchange my long battery cable for a shorter one first, so a trip to the auto parts store is the first order of business.