[CAINE19912.3]

Hello, I have a 1991 2.3L non turbo straight drive hatchback LX Mustang and I’m trying to fix it up, but it seems that every time I do I find something else that’s broken. My troubles began about a year ago when I found a bolt wedged between what I believe to be my power steering pump and my oil pan. I got that out and I thought it to be okay. Then I was rear ended at a stop light and had to park it for awhile but now that I have a little money and my parents need a another car to drive I get to fix the Black Rose.
I started by doing a basic tune up plugs, wires, and oil change. Then I moved to the radiator and muffler and that’s where the problems stared. The oil presser is displayed a little lower on the dashboard and the dip sick say that it’s good. There is this sortive clicking nose/knocking that goes away when I push the clutch in but when I release it, it starts back up again; also the clutch catches half in air. The car is still running a little hot after the radiator being replaced as well. I am going to try to replace the water pump and thermostat to try and resolve this. The mystery is the knocking noise, what should I have to replace to get rid of this? Is this a huge problem? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[SM90Stanger]

Welcome to the site! Hopefully this little community can give you a hand!

The knocking noise is definately the realease bearing... they have a tendency to "skid" when they get old because like all bearings, grease is the determining factor on how well it works. I am not sure if you can get just the release bearing... You might have to get an entire clutch kit. It shouldn't be overly much ($150 for clutch, pressure plate, release bearing, pilot bearing, special greases etc.)... If the release bearing is done, it is time to step up and change all of these parts while you are in there.

On another note, the oil pressure and oil level are 2 completely different things. The dash reads oil pressure while the dipstick reads oil level. The dash could either be off or your oil pump is crapping out. I am not sure if there is another gauge that reads oil pressure?

Good Luck with "Black Rose",

Steve