Clutch plate stuck to flywheel

[Kinkell]

Hello everyone, debut post.

Just replaced the quaife gearbox in my mk1 escort after a rebuild and the clutch seems to be stuck to the flywheel or pressure plate. Pedal is normal and the fingers on the pressure plate can be seen compressed by release bearing from vantage point below car. Tried starting car in gear to no avail. Any ideas anyone before I remove the gearbox?

[Kinkell]

Thanks. Will give it a go tomorrow. Its a single plate AP with the sliding gear teeth that can get gummed up but its only done about 25 race miles.

[Kinkell]

Tried all of the above except the "drop the trolley jack with rear wheels spinning" method. Got the box out and clutch off the flywheel. It had become sintered welded to the cover in three places. £400 to replace so I have just cleaned it up for the last race meeting of the season. Slipping this type of clutch is a no no off the line as it just melts them.
Thanks for the replies.