When a rubber-centered clutch starts to fail...
 

...what's it sound like?

I just bought an 86 951 that was non-running. It had sat since 2006.

I've got it running now, and put on new belts and rollers and a new TPS, and it runs great. I haven't got it off the jackstands yet so I don't know how it drives.

But when you shut it off, there's a metallic squeaking, scrtaching sound that sometimes comes from the bellhousing area - only when you turn it off, never when running, and only the last couple seconds before the engine finally stops. Not every time you turn it off, just sometimes.

The only thing I can think is that it's a rubber centered clutch in the process of failing (losing little bits and pieces which are rolling around inside the bellhousing). I can't imagine anything else loose in that area.

The PO parked it because of the TPS - he thought it was a bad head gasket (no power, wouldn't rev over 2K). He wasn't aware of any other problems, but if the clutch was failing and in limp mode, he might not have noticed.

Any ideas?

throw-out bearing or pilot bearing?

When my rubber-centered clutch failed it made no noise but wouldn't allow me to change gears. The rubber center was totally destroyed.

Speedy:)

Speedy is probably right. Rubber cracks over time - I did not see mine coming until I could no longer shift. Be careful here because a rubber clutch can cause tranny damage.

If you do replace it, do not repalce it with rubber, go to a the spring design.

I dunno, it sounds like something is loose inside the bellhousing - I was thinking of little pieces of clutch.

If I do replace it, I'd probably go for one of the Spec Stage 2 clutches from Lindsey.

The car's got 170K on it, so you'd think the clutch had already been replaced.

Maybe it's a spring centered clutch and it's loose springs rolling around that I hear?

There are a couple removable rubber inspection hole covers. You could pop these out and take a look inside the bellhousing.

Speedy:)

Careful with the Lindsey clutch sets unless you really need the extra clamping force. . .they made my buddy's 951 go through forks with shocking frequency.

The 951 models never used a rubber center clutch so you can count that out. It could be a disc spring loose as someone suggested or the TOB might be looser than it should be.

I took the plunge - it runs and drives and boosts just fine.

The clutch engages really low - you let it out maybe an inch and it engages.

But there are no issues. Kinda a shimmy at about 60 MPH, but that could be tires - it sat for over 2 years.

It hasn't made the noise in quite some time. I gotta think maybe it was just a dead rat rolling around in there or something.

Yeah, my vote is wheel out of balance for the front shimmy.

As for the noise, could possibly be the throw-out bearing or it could be a loose belt such as alternator belt not tensioned properly or power steering belt?? Just a guess on my part.

Hope this helps.

Use a mechanic's stethescope to pinpoint the noise.