OK, Like an idiot I proceeded without the right knowledge on bleeding the slave cylinder. Now I have totally lost the peddle pressure, and now I understand why.
I need to remove the slave cylinder ( I guess) and somehow retract the clutch lever. I know there is some tool, but can I get this done without it. I have ideas, but want to hear from someone who knows better then I on how to get the clutch up and running ASAP.
Thanks.

 

I am not sure if this will help, but here goes. Does the slave cylinder have a bleeder petcock on it? If so, here is my experience and solution. My wife owned a Peugot 504 station wagon (I know, I have your sympathies), it had a slave cylinder for the clutch that worked with the common brake fluid through the master cylinder. I had to replace the slave and as such had to bleed the system. The book said to open the bleeder valve on the slave, put a container under the valve, and have someone pump the pedal. I then was to watch the stream of fluid and close the valve as soon as the bubbles quit. They never quit. I poured a gallon of brake fluid through that french freak and I gave up. A quick call to a dealership and after talking to a czechoslovakian mechanic, he told me to buy a new pump oil can and a length of plastic tubing sized to fit over the fitting on the valve. Putting the other end of the tubing on the oiler spout, I opened the valve and started pumping the oiler that was full of brake fluid. My wife watched in the reservoir and when the bubbles stopped coming, I closed the valve. The system was "blead" in reverse and worked perfectly. Vive la France

 

I think the tool actually holds the lever in. The best way to do it without a pressure bleeder is with a vaccum bleeder that you can get a sears,(although I've never been able to get it to work on the brakes). Hook up th bleeder like the directions say. With the bleeder valve closed pump until you get about 15 hg of vaccum. Now open the valve until fluid comes out and keep pumping to maintain vaccum. Close the valve while fluid is coming out.

Without the pump I did like this. Pump up the clutch to get pressure back in the peddle. Have someone hold the peddle down while you open the valve. Close the valve while fluid is still coming out. Repeat until you are happy with the feel of the peddle.

 

Thanks guys. I think I have it, but will see tomorrow AM how it feels on the road.
I understand about bleeding, but what happens here is that when you open the bleeder nipple, the clutch lever retracts. It must be spring loaded...? The peddle looses pressure and everything goes limp. I think this system needs to be pressurized with pressure bleeder.
I was able to pull back the lever with a ratcheted tie down, then pressurized the system with peddle pump and one more bleed. At least I have peddle now and think I should be able to drive. I'll have to pick up a pressure bleeder tomorrow.
Any more thoughts are very welcome.

Our Mini Bentley manual lacks!

 

...... anyone else? No experts out there wanna chime in this morning?

 

OK, all is well .

It would be imtersting though to hear from someone who has understanding on exactly how this system works