Morris Minor Owners Club

It seems that the clutch release bearing which previously fitted the 803, 948 and 918 engines has been re designed and as far as I can see no longer fits the 918 engine. The casting is deeper than on the old bearing so that the pivot lugs which are the same distance from the front of the bearing as on the old bearing are now closer to the back of the bearing. This together with a smaller hole at the back of the casting prevents the bearing from sitting in the the clutch forks and fitting over the front of the gearbox front cover plate. The new bearing has the casting number 3501.
If anyone has managed to fit one of these new bearings please let me know. Alternatively if anyone has fitted a 1098 thrust or has an engine and gearbox out of the car and is prepared to try a 1098 thrust bearing please let me know how you get on. Or is it feasible to fit a new carbon thrust in to an old casting? I want to avoid the situation where we run out of thrust bearings for the 918 engine. This would also affect the Morris 8[frame][/frame]
New unit on left
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Maybe modify it at a metal working place?
It should be the first thing I want to try...

Hi Mike,have got my USHM3 & box out for a rebuild & just yesterday my 1275 with Toyota 5 speed the thrust bearing went,engine out today so I have an assortment of thrust bearings to look at as I have a brand new 1098 thrust aswell from way back.So in answer to your question I shall split USHM3 engine & box & try & compare with the others thrusts.
Regards
BrianR

Many thanks Brian, I look forward to the results