Barry writes...
>Tom,
>No you don't have it mixed up. Actually most slave cylinders have a return
>spring inside, but most clutch systems (the ones that have adjustments)
>have a spring on the actuating lever or rod to counter this. This
>(Spitfire and GT6, which also has no adjustment) appear to be one of the
>few systems where they were designed with little or no free play in the
>system (provably the reason that the release bearing is fairly beefy and
>for the GT6 is different than the TR6 )
Ah! It's funny you mention a spring on the actuating lever. When I
did my clutch last year I kept looking at the parts books for some
kinda' counter spring that was missing from my car. The idea that the
TO bearing might not positively retract seemed really screwy.
> Chances are they figured on a MTBFlife of around 50000 miles for these cars
> and you would be replacing something anyway (just kidding guys/gals)
He he...engine bearings, thrustwashers, syncros...but who's counting!
> They may have also been designed with the idea that the normal release
>operation of the clutch would provide just a tad of clearance by "bouncing"
>the throw-out bearing and assy back a slight amount, and it would stay there
> because of the weight and friction of the system countering the return of the
> slave spring (which is fairly weak and really only designed to return the
>piston
> and not the entire throw out bearing assy) I noticed that even on the GT6,
>when
> I release the clutch normally, that there is still a slight amount free play
>before
>actually contacting the pressure plate - Not having access to the design
>specs/records of these cars I can only speculate being a mechanical
>designer myself as to the actual design intent. At any rate they work, and
>it's rather nice not to have to adjust them isn't it!
>
>Barry Schwartz (San Diego) bschwart@pacbell.net
>
>72 V6 Spitfire (daily driver)
>70 GT6+ (when I don't drive the Spit)
>70 Spitfire (project)
>73 Ford Courier (parts hauler, rain vehicle, getting a V6 soon!)
At the moment mine's working just fine so I guess I'll not fret about
it. Besides...I just got one of 'dem new fangled, auto darkening
welding helmets in the post....gotta try this puppy out. Perhaps I'll
actually be able to SEE what I'm burning holes through! :-)
Thanks for the reply Barry!
Tom O'Malley
'74, '77 Spits
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