Clutch

[Boballey747]

I'm helping a friend restore his TC and have run into a problem with the clutch. The clutch will not release. The previous person that worked on the car shortened the clutch chain by 2 links trying to get more throw. The clutch pressure plate ,disk and bearing appear new. If I add .08 spacers under the pressure plate when I attach it to the flywheel everything works normally. Is it possible to adjust the pressure plate without the gauge plate mentioned in the Blower manual? If so how? Any other ideas would be appreciated. Cheers Bob Sent from my iPad

[i.thomson@talk21.com]

I'm helping a friend restore his TC and have run into a problem with the clutch. The clutch will not release. The previous person that worked on the car shortened the clutch chain by 2 links trying to get more throw. The clutch pressure plate ,disk and bearing appear new. If I add .08 spacers under the pressure plate when I attach it to the flywheel everything works normally. Is it possible to adjust the pressure plate without the gauge plate mentioned in the Blower manual? If so how? Any other ideas would be appreciated. Cheers Bob _------------- Bob. Are you sure that you have the correct release bearing in there?  The same bearing comees in various different thicknesses. Ian Thomson Notts UK

[Bob Grunau]

Hey Bob,

Ian is right, there are different length release bearings that fit the MG TC ( and TD/TF ) clutch release mechanism. Following is some information I have published previously.

One more thing, the roller/ball bearing release is not suitable for our cars, though often sold as a replacement. The clutch throw-out bearing moves on an arc, and the ball bearings don’t respond well to offset loadings. Original carbon thrust bearings will outlast the driver, just make sure a clutch pedal release spring keeps the carbon off the clutch when driving, and don’t ride the clutch. I engage neutral at stop lights and foot off the clutch to stop unnecessary wear.     

Adding spacers to the pressure plate will only mean the clutch is weaker and likely to slip. I think it is the wrong answer to the problem.

 

Bob Grunau

150 Pinewood Trail,

Mississauga, Ontario

Canada, L5G-2L1

905-274-4136

 

It is VERY important to realize there are at least 3 different offset clutch carbon thrust throw-out bearings available. All will fit the TC inner clutch lever. Fitting the wrong throw-out bearing will affect the clutch withdrawal mechanism. This includes the chain.

                                  

Following dimensions are approximate, but close as I measured slightly used carbon thrusts. 

 

                  height front of pivot pin to carbon thrust face      Or  Height from center of 1/2" pivot pin to face

948 BMC Midget =  0.300"                                                    0.550"

1098 MG Midget =  0.550"                                                    0.800" -no spring clip holes so drill 1/8” holes in ends of pivot pin.

TC/TD/TF          0.550"                                                    0.800"

1275 Midget       0.750"                                                    1.000" -no spring clip holes so drill holes.      

 

So there is an obvious difference in offset. Fitting the wrong one will seriously affect the location of the inner clutch withdrawal lever and in turn chain length. Make sure you get the TC part. If the right carbon thrust is fitted, the clutch lower pedal will be approximately parallel with the clutch withdrawal lever outside the gearbox.  The clutch lever on the gearbox should be forward of vertical when the carbon thrust is just touching the clutch.

A shortened chain may mean the wrong carbon thrust is installed.

Bob, Canada

 

I'm helping a friend restore his TC and have run into a problem with the clutch. The clutch will not release. The previous person that worked on the car shortened the clutch chain by 2 links trying to get more throw. The clutch pressure plate ,disk and bearing appear new. If I add .08 spacers under the pressure plate when I attach it to the flywheel everything works normally. Is it possible to adjust the pressure plate without the gauge plate mentioned in the Blower manual? If so how? Any other ideas would be appreciated. Cheers Bob _------------- Bob. Are you sure that you have the correct release bearing in there?  The same bearing comees in various different thicknesses. Ian Thomson Notts UK

[John Seim]

You might want to look at the clutch lever and clutch shaft, in the bell housing.The lever has both a pin, and a woodruff key, to hold it to the shaft.I encountered a situation, where the pin had broken, from too much leverage, andthe lever was just being held in place by the woodruff key. The keyway had elongated in the shaft, and in the lever, to where you got about a 1/2" movement of the lever, withno movement in the shaft. John SeimIrvine, CA

I'm helping a friend restore his TC and have run into a problem with the clutch. The clutch will not release. The previous person that worked on the car shortened the clutch chain by 2 links trying to get more throw. The clutch pressure plate ,disk and bearing appear new. If I add .08 spacers under the pressure plate when I attach it to the flywheel everything works normally. Is it possible to adjust the pressure plate without the gauge plate mentioned in the Blower manual? If so how? Any other ideas would be appreciated. Cheers Bob