Sounds like a great idea if you can pull it off. Sounds also like having
the engine oil fully topped up all the time is helpful to getting oil on the
thrust washers as well just by having it fly around more in the pan.
Peter S
----- Original Message -----
From: Fred Griffiths <griffco@mail.cadvision.com>
To: Joe Whalley <jw@mitre.org>
Cc: <spitfires@autox.team.net>
Sent: Thursday, June 17, 1999 7:31 AM
Subject: Re: Starting with clutch engaged helps thrust washers?
>
> Joe Whalley wrote:
> >
> > Someone mentioned that starting the car with your foot off the clutch (I
> > guess that means out of gear) will help preserve the thrust washers.
> > What is the reason behind this?
>
> having got my thrust washers out of the bottom of the oil pan last week,
I'll
> explain it as I see it. It seems the washers are oiled only by splash
from the
> crankshaft and dribble running down the crankcase wall. Therefore when
you start with
> the clutch pressed, you are putting pressure on the rear thrust washer.
It isn't lubed
> until the engine is running.
> By leaving the clutch out (and out of gear) the crank floats freely,
endwise,
> with no force on the thrust washer, hence less wear.
>
> So my question is, now that I've added a lower washer to the bearing cap,
would it be
> wise to drill a small hole (say 1/16") from the spot in the bearing cap
under the hole
> in the bearing shell, out to the side of the cap, through the thrust
washer to it gets
> positive lube.
>
> I'd say 1/16" so that the engine won't lose pressure when the washer DOES
wear.
>
> Any ideas?
>
> Cheers, Fred
> --
> Fred & Wendy Griffiths
> Calgary, Canada
> mailto: griffco@cadvision.com
> http://www.cadvision.com/griffco/index.htm
>
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