I finally got all the loose ends tied down, and with new wheels on the car and the engine finally idling properly, I reinstalled the driver's seat and got in. The engine started fine, but when I pushed down on the stick shift knob and tried to put it into second, the gears ground as all manual transmissions do when you don't use the clutch right.
I learned early on how to drive a stick shift, and in this case, the clutch pedal was full depressed. After trying again, and getting the same grinding, I shut off the car. I put the car in reverse with the engine off, and then tried to start the car. The clutch fully depressed again had no effect as the car tried to lurch backward under the power of the starter, before dying.
I tried it once more, this time in first gear. The same thing happened. The car lurched forward, under the power of the starter, and then died out. All of these tests were done with the clutch pedal fully depressed.
As of 18 months ago I knew very little about cars. I could drive a manual transmission and my Grandfather had an old beetle in his garage. Now, 18 months smarter, I have gone through the fuel system, the brake system, and the engine air, fuel injection, and electrical systems. I have replaced a floor pan and two heater channels with their accompanying support rails (it's a convertible) and have fixed the suspension. I thought I had some body work, which I'll get help for, and some paint to do and then I would sort out the headlights and taillights.
I know nothing about transmissions or what it takes to fix them. I have gotten friendly with the Bentley guide, and after reading that tonight, it sounds like i'll have to remove the engine and get the car lifted up back off its wheels.
Any advice, suggestions, or tips for troubleshooting would be welcome.
Thanks,
Jerry