Engine swap completed - now no clutch

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Aug 29, 2007 10:48 pm

Did it come complete with flywheel and clutch ? You haven't used any of the 803 parts ?

Post by **dunketh** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 9:17 am

Its easy to tell the 1098 clutch from the earlier clutches. The pressure plate is easily twice the size - its a proper large monster of a thing.

Perhaps someone could post a pic of them both so you can compare.

Post by **adritch** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 9:32 am

BMC, came with clutch fitted. From recolection it looks more like the piccy of the 1098 from Haynes, but when I have box and engine apart I'll post some photos of the clutch, flywheel and clutch release fork and hopefully it'll become evident.

Hope it's the fork, at a tenner from ESM that is somehwat more palatable than a new clutch.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 9:42 am

Indeed! But how/why could the fork be changed before you got the parts. Did they come from one source - or two different sources?

Post by **adritch** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 10:50 am

They came from one source - 'Bargain engine in Dorset'. However, the guy I bought them off had bought them from someone else and never fitted them, as he had sold his car as he was moving house.

He said that the bloke he'd bought them off had several engines and gearboxes sitting around, so possibly he picked a 1098 engine and a 1098 gearbox, but one or t'other had been modified to run withsomething else.

Suppose I should have checked it all before putting it in, but I assumed (not unreasonably) that they were a matched pair.

Live and learn......

Post by **dunketh** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 1:40 pm

It could be a 1275 MG box rather than a 1098 item. They're both identical casing wise but both cars use different clutches.

Its all got to come apart regardless.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 1:52 pm

Very unfortunate - and the second one this week !! Spridget box is the most likely explanation. And - no need to take front off car to pop the engine - just take radiator out, slide engine forward on trolley jack - and then lift straight up.

Post by **adritch** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 4:03 pm

Ok, gearbox is off. Couldn't get an engine crane today so it came out below. Not too much of a faff really.

Have taken some photos. Photos are of the clutch and flywheel and the fork both in and out of the box. Fork is about 8" from the whole to the pivot on the release bearing. Hopefully this comes across as I put a ruler next to it.

Hope this works. Let me know if it's asking for passwords or anything silly like that as not tried this before.

http://picasaweb.google.com/adman2206

You might even be able to look at my photos of New York too you lucky people

.

Hopefully you clever people will now be able to tell me how I can sort this out. Would like to buy what I need to get it sorted out on Saturday.

Thanks,
Adam.

Post by **dunketh** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 4:32 pm

You have the correct clutch.
I think its the fork thats at fault - I'm fairly sure the pivot point is way too near the fork area itself. Could be wrong though..

(I cant confirm without taking mine apart too.lol)

Post by **alex_holden** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 4:49 pm

Shouldn't there be a bit that goes on the pressure plate 'fingers' that the thrust bearing pushes against?

Post by **adritch** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 4:58 pm

Certainly a piece does seem to be missing.

Can this bit be bought and put on, or do I need a new cover plate? At £40 for a cover plate I hope I can.

Mind you, can't see anything like the bit in the photo on the ESM website.

Post by **Packedup** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 5:33 pm

Yep, the middle bit is missing (I'm surprised dunketh didn't notice that ;) ). AFAIK it can't be bought new, but you can always salvage one off another pressure plate. It's held in place by small springs, which you'd also need.

Post by **adritch** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 6:24 pm

Oh. Got to find one to rob the bits off then. Think I might have to pay a visit to my local minor man.

Decided to take the clutch off and check everything else was ok.

My friction plate is 7.9mm thick measured with my vernier caliper. How does this sound? Ok, newish or heading for replacement?

Also, my release bearing has about 3.5 mm sticking out of the metal housing. As above, how does this sound, or should I renew it anyway?

Want to avoid as far as I can putting it all back together and then having to take it out in a few months time cos something's worn out.

Oh, and if anyone has the bit that's missing and wants to let me have it I'd be eternally grateful

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 8:28 pm

Looks like new (or good second-hand) pressure assy required. The meat on the friction plate is determined by the thickness above the rivet heads! And the carbon thrust sounds to be ok at 3.5mm.

Post by **dunketh** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 8:36 pm

I'm surprised dunketh didn't notice that

pmsl! So am I!

After all the fun we had with that particular part too.

Easy enough to re-atach provided you have the three springs. Easier still to just buy a decent 2nd hand pressure plate.

Post by **adritch** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 8:49 pm

My friction plate has about 1.3mm from the rivet heads to the friction surface.

How does that sound?

Looks like I'll be trying for a second hand plate then.

Thanks for all the help peeps.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 10:45 pm

Friction plate sounds fine to me. Just chase up a pressure assembly. Can you not go back to the seller - and shame him into giving you a clutch ?

Post by **rayofleamington** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 8:33 pm

best to take the clutch off - even if there was nothing wrong with it!
The metallic materials in a friction plate can (and often do) weld themselves to the flywheel when they are left under clamp load (ie. just left as they were) for years.
Most of them will come 'unstuck' if the car can be driven up to temperature and a lot of torque put through the clutch to free it up. However some just don't unstick and that means taking the clutch apart - which is a pain if you've just put them in the car!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 8:56 pm

I think the plate has been off to measure the thickness!

Post by **rayofleamington** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 10:35 pm

Doh - yeah. it's been a long week in the land of Ray