All locked up

[Pinto-Pete]

While I think of it Donno , Scott Drake are having a burn out comp... so get the video camera out , go on u know u wanna

[donoauto]

If you pitch in $5-$10 each to the rear tyre fund , I'll be gagging to oblige an entry to that.

[Nuts]

Hey Jacko, what did you find?

[Ausjacko]

Clutch rod’s connected to the …what the
Betting has closed.
3rd Anyone missing fingers? Some thought it was a clutch finger. I always thought the metal was too thin for this but you never know what goes on where no-one can see (especially if you are an Austrian with a young girl hidden in the cellar).
2nd The good money, if I may say so, was on the thrust bearing giving up the ghost with a piece of the cage getting caught between the flywheel and starter gear and another jamming behind the flywheel and block. Pretty close but not the major cause.
1st Well this was interesting and shocking at the same time.
Rolled the car into the backyard and jacked her up on stands. Took out the passenger seat –wait for it- so I could get under the carpet to undo the four bolts securing the gear level boot in place. Then undid the two bolts holding the shifter to the gearbox. I had already changed the bushes on the shifter and they still looked fine. While I was standing, I undid the top starter bolt, leaving the cable and lower bolt for ‘ground time’.
I assumed the position (under the car) and undid the speedo drive, clutch rod (ah, the good times we had that day), the gearbox mount and drained the oil from the box. I had only changed this oil not that long ago and it looked like new.
With the box drained, I undid the four bolts securing the rear uni joint to the diff. I then carefully slid the drive shaft and yoke out of the box. Don’t forget to mark the uni joint before you remove it and to tape the ends of the uni joint so the roller bearings don’t go everywhere.
I then undid the four bolts securing the box to the clutch and bell housing. With the jack under the box, I took a bit of weight off sufficient to slide (yes, slide they did- must have been watching what happened to the front spring bolts) and the mount dropped out. Then with a bit of careful manoeuvring I slid her back and eventually she was free. Input shaft looked fine but the thrust bearing had as much play in it as our 10 month old Golden Retriever.
Bell housing was next and after a bit of tapping to loosen her up she came off. Hold-on, where did that bolt come from. Then it was revealed.



A bolt had come loose and jammed between the floor of the bell housing and flywheel. A bolt? Don’t ever recall a floating bolt system in use in these things.
A closer look at the clutch itself showed this:



After I undid the clutch bolts- and they were not that tight- the actual problem showed itself.



One of the bolts holding the clutch to the fly wheel had come loose and been flung around the housing. The piece of metal I found in the starter I dare say is from the bottom of the bell housing. I am not sure if anyone has seen this before but it would have to be pretty rare I suspect.

While I am here, has anyone any idea what the shimmering on the mating face of the clutch is? The same mottled pattern is on a portion of the flywheel. During the week I will unbolt the flywheel and take it to get machined.



A couple of questions:
Any recommendations on clutches to put back in?
Where in Canberra can I get the flywheel machined- reliably?

[MustangMedic]

Give NUTS a call, he'll know.
Well I rekon I was close, Like I said at least it was something that broke off the pressure plate, it just wasn't the clutch finger, thats all.
Medic

[6T9rustang]

Definately not worse case scenario! ie crankshaft problems. Fly wheel job and new clutch kit. Geez no wonder why she was vibrating. Should feel a whole lot better after thats replaced. cheers for the update.

[Nuts]

Medic wins I reckon. Easy fix.

Clutch housing bolst have been tensioned incorrectly for that bolt to come loose. The shiny bits are due to overheating. A new clutch and machine the flywheel and all wil be well.. Don't forget to order some ARP clutch bolts. and remember to use sealer on the flywheel bolts.

[jas24zzk]

I would also give the bell housing a thorough clean and inspection for any cracks.

Jas

[Nuts]

I would also give the bell housing a thorough clean and inspection for any cracks.

Jas

He can do that when he attaches it to the new crate engine!

[Shaunp]

Why is there coolant driping off the sump? or am I seeing things.

[Ausjacko]

Why is there coolant driping off the sump? or am I seeing things.

Holly cow, I had to scan the photos to see what you were talking about. I think it is a splash/drip from something I did previously. There is no other sign of a leak. Nice photo scanning though!
Jacko

[nassi]

I still cant see it.........

[Nuts]

I still cant see it.........

Thanks Nassi, I thought I was going bonkers!

Where's this green stuff fella's?

[MustangMedic]

What Nuts at your age do you want a choof, well I never thought...

[Nuts]

Now Now Medic, be nice to your elders!