[Healeys] Clutch

[Bob Spidell]

Thanks, Steve.

Thanks to that release bearing design I got into the habit of shifting 
into neutral at stoplights (instead of just holding the clutch pedal 
down). I think it's a good habit overall--issues getting back into first 
notwithstanding--as I've had my foot slip off the pedal on occasion.


On 9/1/2021 12:01 PM, BJ8Healeys via Healeys wrote:
>
> In January 2014, I removed the gearbox and overdrive from my BJ8 to 
> fix a problem with the O/D slipping (low oil pressure) and a bad 
> clutch judder in reverse that I had put up with for too long.
>
> I replaced the clutch release bearing for convenience and because I 
> already had the new one in hand.  The new bearing carbon block from 
> Moss Motors measured 10/32” thick. The old one (also Moss Motors, 
> installed September 1997) measured 9/32”. That was only 1/32” wear in 
> 80,534 miles, but mostly long-distance ones. A photo of the old clutch 
> disc is attached.
>
> Steve Byers
>
> HBJ8L/36666
>
> BJ8 Registry
>
> AHCA Delegate at Large
>
> Havelock, NC USA
>
> *From:*Healeys [mailto:healeys-bounces at autox.team.net] *On Behalf Of 
> *Bob Spidell
> *Sent:* Wednesday, September 1, 2021 11:55 AM
> *To:* healeys at autox.team.net
> *Subject:* Re: [Healeys] Clutch
>
> As for clutch longevity, there are several significant variables: 
> (your) location, type of driving, driving style, etc. For example, if 
> you DD your car in San Francisco, I wouldn't expect a clutch to last 
> 50K miles, if that long. If you mostly drive highway miles, I think 
> 100K is easily doable; I traded my '08 Mustang in at 124K miles with 
> original clutch /and/ brakes. Although I've been driving manual cars 
> for over 50  years, I still don't feel I've 'mastered' them (like 
> landings in an aircraft). Dump the clutch too quickly and you'll 
> increase longevity--if you don't break anything--at the expense of 
> smoothness, be very delicate and slip it too much and you won't get 
> 'normal' longevity. Actually, IMO Healeys are relatively easier to 
> drive well, a properly set-up clutch with a Healey's torque makes 
> smooth starts easier; my '19 Mustang is high-strung by comparison and 
> I still manage to stall it occasionally.
>
> The release bearing can be problematic as, unlike a true bearing it's 
> a known wear item. I heard a while back there were some low quality 
> parts going around that failed within a few thousand miles. I'd say if 
> it's more than one-third worn--anyone know the original thickness of 
> the graphite?--I'd replace it (again, depending on driving 
> circumstances).
> Bob
>
>
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