Another Clutch Question

[hkp57]

Went to start the car today and it did no problem with that, pressed the clutch won't disengage drive to engage a gear.

Went to look at the slave cylinder and searched this forum, the pictures of other slave cylinders didn't look like mine.

Engine and box are meant to be 1973 1.8TC marina.

The slave cylinder itself seams to float around and does not have a wide flag using up against the bell housing bracket and has some spring type circlips not very well seated either.

Any words of wisdom is appreciated!

[listerjp2]

Re: Another Clutch Question

Hiya

I would suggest you get yourself a proper job.

Ebay 322076539526

Adrian

[stevejgreen]

Re: Another Clutch Question

OK, Not a great issue.

If the car has been stationary for a while, the clutch plate may have corroded itself onto the flywheel.
Various options are available, none sound too pretty, but you have to shock the clutch plate away from the flywheel. Easiest done by lifting one rear wheel off the ground, starting the car, getting it warm, and then applying the brakes, whilst in neutral. A few attempts should release the clutch plate.

The main lesson regarding Marina Clutch slave cylinders is that they are always loose in the bell housing, and that the bleed nipple must be highest. You seem to have passed both those criteria. Assuming the system has no leaks, and no air (a vacuum bleeder is best) and that the clutch arm itself has not bent? (difficult to see, and very rare) there should be no problem.

Finally look here or there and here or there. The ebay part previously mentioned originates from the same source, Chris Weedon from the Morris Marina Owners Club.

[hkp57]

Re: Another Clutch Question

OK, Not a great issue.

If the car has been stationary for a while, the clutch plate may have corroded itself onto the flywheel.
Various options are available, none sound too pretty, but you have to shock the clutch plate away from the flywheel. Easiest done by lifting one rear wheel off the ground, starting the car, getting it warm, and then applying the brakes, whilst in neutral. A few attempts should release the clutch plate.

Not sure I understand why hitting the brakes with it in neutral will shock the friction plate loose, surely it needs to be in gear and the clutch pressed then brake?

[andyf]

Re: Another Clutch Question

Not sure I understand why hitting the brakes with it in neutral will shock the friction plate loose, surely it needs to be in gear and the clutch pressed then brake?

That's right I think it was a typo. If there's a convenient access hole a chisel can be used to free the friction plate.

[stevejgreen]

Re: Another Clutch Question

Oops. Meant to say in gear, not neutral.
Same principe applies, you need to shock the clutch.
Sat in a Spanish bar in the evening, sometimes results in slightly odd posts that are usually corrected quite quickly. Something to do with the lifestyle?
But though it sounds violent, it's a lot better than the work involved detaching a gearbox. Sadly there is no access as andyf suggests, because the Marina bell house is particularly deep.

The fastmarina forum may have some other ideas.

[hkp57]

Re: Another Clutch Question

Looks like we have to give up on trying to break it free, time for engine out :-(

[Gareth]

Re: Another Clutch Question

Same thing happened to mine. Steve's right about clutch corroding to the flywheel. I freed mine by getting someone to rock the car in 2nd gear whilst I held the clutch pedal down.
The wife was knackered after that, but it worked!
Starting the car often during the winter lay up and slipping the clutch keeeps the corrision away.
Gareth.

[stevejgreen]

Re: Another Clutch Question

Looks like we have to give up on trying to break it free, time for engine out :-(

Did you try any of the approaches listed on FastMarina? It's not an unusual problem, and for the amount of work in removing the engine. It's worth a few tries.

This is always assuming that the Clutch master and slave cylinders are in good order and that the hydraulics have been properly bled. It looks as though you have the bleed nipple at the highest point so it should bleed ok. If the bleed nipple is at the lowest point there will always be an air bubble in the slave cylinder.

[hkp57]

Re: Another Clutch Question

Yes that's why its been so long since last update, tried everything we could read up on several times with no luck.

Master and slave working correctly with no air, bleed nipple is at the top.

So she is going to get a complete new clutch assembly and release bearing. Good excuse to get the engine bay cleaned properly also.

[stevejgreen]

Re: Another Clutch Question

Just been reading a thread on FastMarina about a stuck clutch, a few more violent methods there.

[hkp57]

Re: Another Clutch Question

Well Finally with some false starts we have it back together with a working clutch.

What did it take =

Gearbox out, this was a task on its own as whoever built the car had welded the gearlever extension in a way we had to grind it off again just to get the box out.

Pressure plate off - no issues.

Clutch plate was not very happy about leaving its new best friend alone, but after its new friend (big hammer) applied some blunt force trauma it indeed did let go of the flywheel.

Flywheel had a gentle skim and a clean up.

New clutch assembly lined up and fitted no problem.

New release bearing offered up but its the wrong one sent out to us.

After much faffing around correct bearing sourced delivered and fitted.

brand new slave cylinder put in place as the aftermarket one we had although worked well as a piston the spring clip type mountings were not. the springs would flex and allow the pressure to move the cylinder more than the clutch arm.

Box back in place and the gear stick refitted we had a nice smooth clutch operation and all gears.

just the interior to go back in and check the jetting on the new twin choke carb and it should be Bob's Yer Uncle - for now anyway :-)

[stevejgreen]

Re: Another Clutch Question

That all sounds good.
Surprising how well a clutch plate can get stuck.

So far as hydraulics go, if you need a recon clutch slave, here or there

For clutch slave refurb tinfo, here or there and here or there

[hkp57]

Re: Another Clutch Question

So far as hydraulics go, if you need a recon clutch slave, here or there

It was where we got the slave cylinder from.

[stevejgreen]

Re: Another Clutch Question

I just re read your post and am confused by the gearstick.
The Marina gearstick swivel is underneath a dome that is a simple bayonet cap to the gearbox. Push and twist and it will lift off and release the gearstick.