Clutch / engaging gears troubleshooting help pls

[miket]

My (Yorkie) NA 1.6 rookie build has had its engine running okay for a while, but today I decided to treat myself to my first drive out of the garage under its own power. Gears will engage when the engine's not running, but I can't engage gears once the engine is running.

Because this is my first ever build I didn't touch the clutch or gearbox at all, apart from the pedals of course.

The car hasn't run in gear under it's own power for a couple of years.
The clutch reservoir is full.
The clutch slave cylinder is moving when the pedal's pressed.
No fluid leaks during build.

As seen below, the clutch pedal hits the chassis square section (A) before it hits the pedal stop (B). Is it likely that this is stopping the pedal travelling far enough?



I can see there appears to be a pedal adjuster mechanism, but Rod's manual was only able to guide me on pedal lash - which is just outside the 5-13mm range at 14mm as far as I'm able to judge. 



It looks like I need to loosen locknuts (2) and turn adjustment nut (1) clockwise to move the pedal further away from the adjustment nut? 

Might I need to adjust the nut on 'LA01' too?

All guidance appreciated.

[miket]

SOLVED! - a neighbour stopped by and suggested starting the engine with it in gear to shock/free the clutch - it worked.

I can now select gears whilst the engine's running - which is more useful really.

Pedal still hits the chassis as its stop tho' - placed lower down the To Do list!

[einy]

I'd start by bleeding your clutch slave cylinder ... sounds to me like it is not fully disengaging when you push the pedal in, and air in that system would lead to that same result. Miata clutch slave cylinder failure is a common occurrence, but fortunately they are pretty low cost, and easy to replace.

Just a thought ...

[colin]

FlyinMiata has good instructions on adjusting the clutch pedal, linked below.

www.flyinmiata.com/support/instructions/misc/Clutch.pdf

[gwnwar]

Now that it is working did you bleed all air out of the system?? No leaks at slave pull back rubber boot to check.. Adjust MC rod free play to 10mm.. With the LA01 as long as pedal height is good and and the switch plunger is in with pedal up and out with down you are OK there..
Might have to space pedal unit out a little bit more. Recheck MC rod if you do. I would want it to hit the stop not the frame..

[miket]

Many thanks guys - I'll check all that out.
It was a great moment driving it (just out of the garage) for the first time - a head turner even without any panels on.