->
->I went to replace the starter on my '66 Spitfire when I noticed that
->there is a large gap between the engine plate and the clutch bell housing at
->the point where it bulbs out to fit the starter (large enough for me to stick
->a screwdriver in and touch the starter's shaft even when everything is bolted
->on properly).
Most likely, it got dropped and bent. The rear plate is supposed to be
flat (and rarely is). The mating surface of the clutch housing is also
supposed to be flat (and often is). The othe possibility is that you
are missing the spacer that goes over the end of the starter, though
that is a constant thickness piece (about 3/8").
If it is a wedge shaped gap, it's bent. Bend it back as best you can,
put the starter in the hole, and tighten down the bolts. That should
straighten it out. The starter should be perpendicular to the flywheel.
->
->I have to assume that there must have been a gasket or something here that
->has completely disintegrated... It doesn't seem possible to me that it has
->warped to this shape.
->
As I said, probably dropped. I can show you 3 that look like
that...Beware when the *front* plate is warped (also from droppage or
from trying to prise it off before remembering the one lone bolt above
the crank...) as that can cause oil to leak out in copious quantities.
Trust Me on This one...
->Can anyone tell me anything about this, or what the consequences might have
->been of running the engine without this seal?
->
There is no seal, it is a metal-metal interface.
->I am a semi-novice at this sort of stuff and when it gets to the inside of
->the engine block or the transmission I'm clue-less. I guess this means
->that the area where the fly-wheel lives has had no seal for at least some
->period of time. Is this area normally receiving oil or supposed to be under
->a vaccuum?
->
It has no seal, should have no seal. In fact, if you look at the bottom
of the bellhouusing, there is a drainhole there for any oil that may
seep past the rear main seal. You don't want oil anywhere near the
clutch....
->I have started to make an attempt to seal this gap with liquid gasket stuff...
->Is there any chance that this might succeed, or am I completely screwed?
->
Scrape it off and start over. The engine/trans plate has no seals on
it for a good reason. You want the trans and engine to be as close to
perfectly aligned as possible to avoid having the clutch wobble or the
mainshaft cocked in the pilot bearing.
If your rear plate is really hopelessly bent, start over, or you're
going to need a new clutch, new trans input and mainshaft bearings, and
possible a new rear main bearing. But only in a really extreme case.
Bob - "That's *Dr.* 1147 Bobwrench" Bownes
BTW: My 1147 came home from the machine shop last FRiday. I'll be doing final
assembly tonight...
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