Ron:
Good point. I wonder how *bad* a rear main bearing leak would need to be, to
affect clutch performance? Certainly, it's something to seriously consider,
with slippage after only about 16K miles.
I suspect that most of us roadster owners are 'running around' with some degree
of leaking from the rear main. In my own case, I suspect that that my oil
usage of about one qt./500mi. is largely leakage, from the rear seal, and other
less likely places. No particular evidence of 'burning' by exhaust color, or
oily residue in the exhaust. (My garage floor also gives evidence of leaks
;-) ).
I replaced 3/4's of my rear main seal about 60-70K miles ago, in the course of
a clutch job (I was too 'daunted' by the chance that I couldn't get the top
part of the rope seal back back in - in the time I had available, to attempt
that part). Oil 'usage', noticeably, did decrease at that time, but is now
back to about the previous amount.
I guess that I'm 'just hoping' that a rear main seal leak would have to be
pretty bad, before that could be the cause of clutch slippage, particularly
since I've just completed a clutch replacement - and didn't even think of doing
the main seal that time! (Too many other things 'on my plate' last year.)
Dave
'68 1600
Kailua-Kona
Ronnie Day wrote:
> >Eddie Sawyer:
>
> > I was going through my stack of receipts for my 68' 1600 (POs did an
> > awesome job of documenting, about the only thing I don't have is the
> > original sales receipt) In 1986 they did a full clutch, pressure plate
> > and throw out bearing with 83,000 miles now 18 years later but only
> > 16,000 miles, all signs seem to point to new clutch. I've adjusted the
> > yoke at the slave cylinder to about an 1/8 of an inch and I'm still
> > getting occassional slippage when accelerating up hills and such. Are
> > there some other things I may be missing? Is it possible the clutch was
> >
> > mis-adjusted for 16,000 miles and just wore the heck out of it?
> >
> > There is a whole list of things I have planned before tackling the
> > drive to Shasta and the main one is pulling the motor and replacing the
> > Clutch. As usual your opinions, suggestions, ideas, comments are greatly
> > appreciated.
>
> Eddie,
>
> While the slipping, and subsequent wear could be caused by improper
> adjustment, you might also have a bad rear main seal leaking. Any signs of
> oil dripping out of the bottom of the bellhousing? I'd think 16K is way too
> short a life on a clutch, at least for "normal" driving, if it was even
> close to being adjusted properly.
>
> FWIW,
> Ron
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