I just used Carter Shore's method on my GT6 with no problems. (see below)
Mike http://pages.prodigy.net/mikeross/
'63 Spritfire
'66 Spitfire
'69 GT6 convertible project
'70 GT6+ (maroon)
'70 GT6+ (green)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Carter Shore" <clshore@yahoo.com>
To: "Greg Schluge" <gschluge@cstone.net>; "Spitfires"
<Spitfires@autox.team.net>
Sent: Sunday, February 24, 2002 4:07 PM
Subject: Re: Clutch Hydraulics bleeding
> Greg,
> I've owned, raced, and fixed Spitfires since 1968.
> FWIW, I seldom bleed my clutch hydraulics, unless the
> cover and whatnot are already off and it's easy to get
> to, and there's a helper available.
>
> Instead I use the 'pump and let go' method: You pump
> with full strokes several times, and then push down
> all the way, pull your foot off the pedal and let the
> pedal slam back up. Once you start get some some
> 'pedal', let the system rest for about 5 minutes (lets
> the bubbles rise to the top and coalesce), then
> repeat.
>
> Ever wonder why the Spitfire master cylinders are
> slanted? It's so that self bleeding can take place
> naturally. The air will rise to the back of bore of
> the master cylinder (not the resevoir). When you
> pressurize and then release, the little stem and seal
> allows some of the fluid to move rearwards and enter
> the resrvoir, taking the trapped air with it, where it
> will then rise to the top.
>
> When the system has lot's of air in it, pumping will
> mix fluid and air together. Although this is usually
> undesired, in this case it allows some fluid to make
> it's way into the slave cylinder. Repeated several
> times, you can achive 100% slave cylinder filling.
>
> Note that this is *not* recommended for braking
> systems. Brake systems have multiple branches, operate
> at higher peak pressures, and of course are *mission
> critical*.
>
> This has *always* worked for me on Spitfires. It could
> save you a lot of needless work.
>
> But of course, others may have a different view. YMMV.
>
> Carter Shore
>
>
> --- Greg Schluge <gschluge@cstone.net> wrote:
> > My clutch slave cylinder failed on my 76 mk IV and I
> > replaced it with a new
> > lucas part from spitbits. My first attempt at
> > bleading the clucth hydraulic
> > system was a complete failure. I decided that since
> > I had the front end up in
> > the air on jack stands, that I would never get all
> > the air out of the slave
> > cylinder. Today I jacked the back end up and tried
> > to get to it, no luck, had
> > to jack front and back up to get to the slave
> > cylinder bleed. I was able to
> > get it nearly level, backend just a little higher.
> > Now if I drive it, I can
> > get it shift smoothely if I double clutch. Must
> > still have air in the Slave
> > cylinder. I also rebuilt the master cylinder and
> > tested it on the car.
> >
> > Are there any tricks to bleeding the spit clutch
> > hydraulics. The only thing I
> > can think of is taking the slave out again and
> > pouring it full on the bench?!
> > Whish I did that when I first installed it.
> >
> > Thanks in advance.
> Yahoo! Sports - Coverage of the 2002 Olympic Games
> http://sports.yahoo.com
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