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From: ccs009@ucdavis.UUCP (Capt. Vandervecken)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: MGB Clutch Problems
Message-ID: <388@ucdavis.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 24-Jul-85 21:08:15 EDT
Article-I.D.: ucdavis.388
Posted: Wed Jul 24 21:08:15 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 26-Jul-85 04:40:52 EDT
References: <990@homxa.UUCP>
Organization: University of California, Davis
Lines: 46

> I've got a '79 MGB that's developed clutch spin.  Since the car only has
> 23000 miles on it, I've got to assume that oil has gotten into the clutch
> area from either the transmission or rear seal.  Having lots of demands 
> on my time, I have a dilemma to face.  Do I change the clutch myself
> or allow myself to be ripped off to the tune of $300+.  Hence, my questions:
> 
>    1)  Anybody have any experience with MGB clutches?  Do I really have
>        to pull the engine? 

	Yes, you really have to pull the engine. No way around it . This
	seems to work for me.. I detach all the miscellaneous attachments
	like manifolds, etc. then I remove the front cross member under
	the transmission( has the mounts on it ) Unhook the driveline
	by the four bolts on the output shaft. I usually pull the whole
	drive train in my garage ( I just prop up the cross members with 
	two by fours)(( the whole drivetrain only weighs ~ 600 pounds))
	A come-along or hand winch with a change will usually do it. I bolt
	the chain to the valve cover mount bolts( yes they hold just fine).

> 
>    2)  I know the typical sources of oil/grease that cause clutch spin.
>        Anybody had experience with such leaks etc. on MGBs or other
>        such pieces of fine British craftmanship?  How bad are the seals
>        to replace?  Which ones should I suspect?

	I haven't had any experience with the seals ( :-)  yet...) but
	I've heard that they are a bi**h.
>    3)  Besides enduring the clutch spin (I happens when I punch it
>        in a high gear), am I introducing any great risks in waiting
>        ~1 month to do this job.  The reason I ask is that I've got a 
>        new head that I'll be putting on next month, and it would be
>        nice to do them at the same time.
> 
> Any advice is greatly appreciated.
> 
> 				Kurt D. Del Bene
> 				...!ihnp4!houxm!homxa!delbene

Best of luck, I've had the engine out of my B three times, all for clutch
problems....oh well if they weren't so damn much fun to drive....

			Dennis "not tonight I have to fix the MG" Michaels
				@ U.C. Davis Computer Center

p.s. dont lose the little retainer clips that hold the throwout bearing in place
they cost around 2 or 3 bucks used !!!!