new clutch now won't shift into gear

[evilphoton]

if you're running the OG pressure plate, the fulcrums where the 3 arms pivot could be worn to the point that the arms are bottoming out on the pressure plate without putting enough pressure on the diaphragm spring to pull the plate away from the flywheel.

if you take it apart again, check for new shiny marks where the arms have been pushing against the pressure plate, if they're there, you need a new plate.

no freeplay would mean that you are into the "release" part of the clutch travel, that would bring the "friction point" closer to the top of the pedal travel. if that's where you are, either the cable has magically stretched or the throwout bearing doesn't have anything else to push against.

[notimp57]

Searching the internet came upon your page with the same problem I have 1968 VW semi automatic after we sealed engine put in new disc wont shift.

Just took engine out for third time searching for clues found the converter had lost the splines. now I am looking for a converter to replace the damage one any places where I canI buy one that will ship to Puerto Rico.

[troutbite]

Problem solved...thanks for all the advice and taking time to help! The issue turned out to be the new clutch. I pulled the engine last night and took a thickness measurment on the clutch, with that I went to the local VW shop and referenced it against a new clutch they had on the shelf, the clutch I installed was about 0.5mm thicker...I had already checked the flywheel and it had been machined correctly, the pressure plate worked great prior to the new clutch install so the only thing it could be (I was hoping) was a thick clutch. Installed differerent new clutch tonight and there you go...shifts great. HArd to imagine that little difference could be such a problem.

[ashman40]

This was a problem a while back... new clutch discs too thick. What brand was it? Maybe you got one that had been sitting on a shelf for a while?
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AshMan40
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'75 Beetle 1200LS (RHD)
"stock" 1600 w/ 34 PICT-3 carb & S/A tranny

[troutbite]

It was a Sache (spelling?)

[Cusser]

Sachs ?
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1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2004 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297