clutch release mechanism what`s missing please

[ericbushby]

Good evening gents.
I am hoping you can help me. I am new to clutches.
The clutch slave cylinder failed due to old age last week. It was soon repaired with a seal kit.
However whilst I was investigating I noticed that the release arm appeared to travel too far.
The bell housing casting had been ground away to allow further travel than seems right.
So, I have taken the engine out and realized that something is missing or wrong.
The bearing that you can see is acting directly on the clutch spring fingers whereas they should surely be pressed with a ring shaped component with a bull nosed profile to allow the fingers to roll over the surface as they are actuated.
To allow the arm to travel further there are signs of welding on the push rod as if it has been extended. It is 5" long with 1 and 3/4 " of thread.
So, has anybody got an engine out and can you please tell me what I need to put this right.
Regards
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3 SE DHC (up on stands again)

[types26/36]

Looks like you have the wrong pressure plate fitted, it should have a thrust pad in the centre.
The 5 speed pressure plate does not have the thrust pad but that has a different release bearing.

[ericbushby]

Wow,what about that. 13 minutes and got a result. What a wonderful forum this is. Thankyou Brian. Yours looks like the one in the manual. All other comments will be welcomed. The more I learn, the easier it will be.
Eric in Burnley
S3SE DHC (missing this good weather.)

[john.p.clegg]

Looks like you have the right pressure plate fitted but are missing the central plate the bearing bears on...I believe the five speed pressure plate has a slight "curl" to the end of the "fingers" to match the rounded face of the thrust bearing.

John

[robertverhey]

Hi Eric
My experience on disassembling my S3SE fhc clutch was somewhat similar to yours, ie it was a "bitsa" with 7.5" driven plate, and a "no collar" pressure plate, and a "flat face" release bearing. I asked a similar question here lotus-gearbox-f37/quick-clutch-question-t29075.html

The forum advised me that this combination was technically a no-no, as there needs to be some capacity for the release interface to "roll", either via the round faced bearing or via the collar. That said, it did seem to work okay.

In the end I decided the easiest way forward was just to replace the release bearing with a round-faced one, which I did.

So a hybrid it remains
Robert

[ncm]

Hi Eric, When Ford produced the mk1 Escort Mexico they used a non thrust pad cover with a round nosed bearing and a different carrier that placed the bearing closer to the cover. The difference in the carriers can be seen in the picture I posted here lotus-gearbox-f37/borg-beck-clutch-cover-t29935.html

Brian.

[ericbushby]

Brian,
Thankyou for your input. I didn't find that information when I searched the archives.
I now believe that the clutch was built with an early type thrust bearing and a later pressure plate and when it was assembled and did not work they modified the push rod to get away with it.
I have ordered a bearing suitable for a MK 1 Capri which may be suitable to correct this mistake. It will reguire some adaptation I am sure.
The pressure plate, clutch plate and flywheel surface are in excellent condition and look new so it is not worth changing them back to original type. My intention is to only modify the bearing and carrier so that future owners can put it back to original easily when the pressure plate needs to be replaced.
I will report on progress if and when there is any.
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE DHC

[alan.barker]

imho it's better to order the correct clutch kit and not to change from original

[ericbushby]

Alan, I agree with you of course, but as this pressure plate is obviously almost new and showing no signs of wear, I have decided to only fit an adapted bearing. That is, if it works!! Remember, the bearing is easily and cheaply replaced at some time in the future if the clutch fails for some other reason.
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE DHC

[alan.barker]

hi Eric,
i hope you have made the right decision
Alan

[ericbushby]

Hello again,
I have a result.
I fitted the Capri type bearing (Borg and Beck HD 3287) which meant making a stepped sleeve to put it in the right position relative to the spring fingers. The sleeve was made from a 1 and 3/4" Dia. solid silver steel bar. That is a lot of swarf !!
Engine and gearbox now back in and on testing the clutch is now as sweet and smooth as I could have hoped. I am very pleased with the result.
Also passed the MOT today. Do you know that it is only 1 mile to the garage but it is over 20 miles back, -- if you go over Pendle Hill.
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE DHC