shadetreetech

1992 f150 2wd 5.0 5 speed...haven't had the truck long. when i got it the clutch seemed very touchy. what i mean is that the clutch could be engaged/disengaged in the first inch or so of travel. also, the clutch seemed hard to push in (not really really hard, but stiffer than most i've ever driven). the clutch however, did not slip.
truck was driven about 200 miles or so and then the master cylinder rod came off (plastic insert busted). master cylinder rod and pedal assembly hole lined up ok so i just put the rod back in and wire tied it. pedal seems ok now...no major slop and it's solid...BUT...once that repair was done i took the truck for a ride and the clutch slips badly under load.
i pulled the rubber plug out of the tranny and see no unusal leaks/brake fluid. i also don't see an overabundance of clutch dust or pieces in there (supposedly this clutch was replaced a while back, how long i don't know).
ok...so i'm a bit perplexed and wanted to get some input before i yank the transmission out.
inspection under the dash reveals a VERY slight residue in the area of the master cylinder rod...not much oil at all...but a little bit. i also noticed that there is no spring on the clutch pedal (i see the v type notch where i think one goes, but there isn't one there, isn't one under the seat or in the general vicinity so i assume that there wasn't one on there when the clutch seemed fine too?).
ok...so i'm looking for input.
i wonder if the master cylinder is bad (but with such little oil residue i'm doubtful)...
i'm doubtful on the slave cylinder cause i see no wetness inside the tranny when looking through the inspection hole...
i'm kind of doubtful on the clutch itself because 1. it was supposedly replaced 2. i don't see a ton of dust or scraps in the tranny through the inspection hole 3. it did not slip prior to the pedal coming undone.
do any of you versed ford people have ideas?

also...if i pump the clutch pedal while looking into the master cylinder with the top off for each pump there is a "spurt" of fluid that comes up. is this normal? (don't see any air bubbles either).
and if i do have to pull the tranny how does one get the hydralic flex line off the transmission (from the master cylinder)?

thanks for any input/ideas.