when the rod is longest and the valve is closed like you talked about, is that because of that little sensor that the pedal rests on? when i take the master off of the pedal the valve is open, so i assume that closed valve is because you are supposed to adjust where the pedal rests until it pushes the pedal enough to where the valve closes, and then turn the rod side once or twice to open the valve again? well I tried that and I still am having the same problem, if i've done it all correctly the only thing that I can think is I have a TOB issue or a bent clutch fork (which I don't think its either one of those I think its an adjustment issue)