Strange Clutch Issues 78 V8 Conversion

[Texas Navy]

Hey folks,
I need a bit of help. I've got a 78 FJ40 with a Chevy V8 that I bought about 3 years ago. It's sat for a bit, since deployments weren't kind to me, but it ran and drove fine when it was last parked. I tried to get it going again last month and had a strange issue with the clutch, which I haven't been able to sort yet. Basically, it feels like it's clutching out, and I see significant movement at the slave cylinder and through the inspection port, but I can put it into gear. If the engine isn't running, it rows through the gears just fine, but when I start it in first it jumps like the clutch hasn't disengaged.
Starting where it was easiest, I changed the clutch fluid and bled the system today, with a strange change. With the engine started in neutral, it grinds but will go into gear in reverse. None of the forward gears, but reverse. Once I've put it in reverse and back up as little as 2 feet, I can shift normally in both forward and reverse gears. If I shut off the engine, it won't go into a forward gear again until I force it into reverse, then the same occurs.
Any ideas what gives?

Thanks for your time folks.

Eric

 

[lcwizard]

Maybe the clutch disc is bonded to either the flywheel or pressure plate. Has it been stored in a harsh environment?
With the engine off have someone depress the clutch while you check to see if the disc is floating free. Maybe even a rust
issue with the splines between the input and disc. Could even be a damaged pressure plate. This should be something you can visually diagnose
with help from a clutch pusher

 

[mtquivr]

The clutch works properly once it has been forced into reverse?
Have you checked the transmission fluid level?

 

[Tex40]

Sounds to me like your just not getting enough throw and the disc is dragging barely - either the master is leaking or the slave is leaking or perhaps the rubber hose between the master and slave is bad and stretching/ballooning slightly when you depress the pedal effectively acting like you didn't clutch fully. I also agree that the disc might not be floating on the splines like it should because of some corrosion.

Reverse isn't synchronized so you can force it into gear vs first which won't allow you to get into gear until the shaft speeds match (which needs to be completely stopped)

I know I get slightly more throw if I pump the clutch pedal a couple times versus the initial push. You could adjust the slave push rod out slightly to get just a bit more clutch movement.