3.6 Conversion - Clutch Problem!

[AirCooledExcellence]

Hi Guys,

As some of you may know my 3.6 is now installed and running

However, I'm having trouble with the clutch. I installed a brand new centerforce clutch package purchased from Patrick Motorsport, along with their 915 flywheel, and new release bearing.

Basically I'm getting a lot of drag, i.e. the clutch is not releasing properly. I've had a specialist out today, who has checked the clutch and shift coupler adjustment and he says everything seems fine.

There are no nasty noises, the clutch pedal feels really nice, the release fork is engaged in the release bearing properly.

The cars going into the specialists next week for investigation, but thought I'd check here to see if anyone has had similar problems.

Cheers,

Tim.

[AirCooledExcellence]

Bump!

[DW SD]

What does dragging mean - how does it feel when you say not releasing properly? Any chance your cable is an issue? My old cable was providing a lot of friction as the teflon liner was being peeled away from the cable and was jamming up the action.

Does it shudder? Did the specialist drive it or just measure / check the adjustment?

Doug

[AirCooledExcellence]

Basically the clutch is not releasing. If you try and get it into gear with clutch depressed it will not go in.

The clutch free play and travel was checked and found to be in spec.

[CharlesJones]

I dunno much about this, but this wouldn't be caused by that fork not being located in throwout bearing would it? I dunno what the symptons of such a thing would be, but maybe the helper spring would still give a spring action to the pedal whilst the fork isn't actually releasing the clutch plate.

[gigem75]

clutch cable routed correctly?

[john walker's workshop]

bent pedal? pull the floor board off and see if the center zig-zag on the pedal is twisted or still flat. the pedal is sort of Z shaped and the center twists under heavy loads, like big clutch pressure. etc.

[84toy]

Have someone push the pedal to the floor and someone else measure the distance the arm moves where the cable connects to the arm at the tranny. Report back

[lin7310948]

the last time i had a problem with the clutch and a 915 transaxle....one of the prongs on the clutch actuating arm was cracked and bending . as a consequence the arm would not move the pressure plate diaphram enough to release the clutch... good luck!

[AirCooledExcellence]

The clutch travel is as per spec at 25mm, checked the pedal - not bent.

I'm wondering about the release fork, it's definitely engaged with the throw out bearing as I can see the pressure plate moving through the inspection hole. Is it common for these to bend?

[CharlesJones]

I've heard it's common for them to fail, although I would have thought it would be more likely to break than bend. Perhaps it has cracked or bent, and so not is not getting sufficient range of movement to release the clutch? It's a pity the inspection hole isn't a little bigger so you can see more of what's going on in there - perhaps it's worth it to keep trying to peer in with mirrors or whatever to see if you can see any such problem.

Just another thought - would it be possible for the clutch plate to have become fused to the flywheel somehow? I had that happen on my old Morris Minor after a few months of storage, and I had to put the car on axil stands, start the motor in first, and then dab the breaks whilst the wheels were going round, which freed it off with a loud pop! I doubt this is your problem, but it's just a thought.

[Larry_Ratcliff]

shoot sorry to hear the grief. I am about to put my engine in ... prepping this weekend and install next weekend. Did you try calling Jim @ Patrick motorsports to get his opinion?