Matt,
Youre not the only one without an alignemt tool.
The closest thing to one I own is a chunck of broom handle whittled to
hold the clutch plate while I tighten the pressure plate bolts. Works
pretty good too.
But it's been so long since I used it, I'm not really sure where it is.
Oh well, no problem. The wife just got a new wooden handled broom, so if
the clutch goes, I can always make another tool. :>)
Rick Morrison
72 MGBGT
74 Midget
On Mon, 19 Jan 1998 09:12:13 -0500 Matt Kulka <Matt.Kulka@hboc.com>
writes:
>>Ron Madurski <rmadursk@galaxy.galstar.com> 01/18/98 11:15am
>>I don't have a clutch alignment tool that fits this car so I may
>>have to wait until Monday night to put it back together.
>
>I keep seeing this sort of message about clutch alignment tools. Am I
>the only one in America who's never bought one of these things? Maybe
>this is another one for Barney's "Grapes of Wrath" file.
>
>Whenever it's time to throw in a clutch plate, I find myself a large
>bolt in the shop - or a 3/8" or 1/2" drive socket extension. Push it
>into the pilot bushing to see how deep it goes. Take the bolt out and
>start wrapping electrical tape around it a few wraps at a time until
>there's a snug fit into the bushing. Next, push the bolt back in the
>pilot bushing and slide the clutch plate over it. Noting where on the
>bolt the clutch collar would ride, remove the clutch plate and bolt
>and
>start wrapping tape around the bolt at that point until you get a snug
>fit for the clutch plate collar. Viola, a clutch alignment tool you
>don't have to wait for Monday to use.
>
>I use the largest bolt I can, because if you have too much tape, it
>makes a spongy fit. Always make sure to push on the clutch pedal when
>you go to start the car, in order to finalize alignment. (This would
>be
>important even if you used the official alignment tool.)
>
>If I had an alignment tool for every car I've put a clutch into, I'd
>have huge box full of obsolete tools. I can't afford that when I've
>got
>to supply this fine British automobile with so many fine replacement
>parts.
>
>Matt Kulka
>'74 B - my first MG, not my first clutch replacement.
>
>
|