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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - Clutch issue

Hi All,

I replaced the clutch drive plate on my 5 speed sd1 box before fitting, but not the release bearing as it seemed fine and there were no noises from the donor car, which I drove quite a bit.

On running the engine now it is in the GT, when I lightly touch/depress the clutch I get a loud metallic scratchy/scraping sound - clearly gearbox/clutch related.

It is not always there, and after I drive back and forth a bit it tends to ease off. I have yet to drive it more than afew yards.

Is this down to the new drive/friction plate taking time to bed in, or am I looking at a new release bearing?

2nd question - can you get the gearbox out of an MGB without removing the engine!!?

Liam
Liam H

short answer, new throwout bearing and no, the engine must be removed.
M Mallaby

Hi,

I should have mentioned that the engine and box have not been turned over at all for 18 months.

Might the bearing have seized? I can't recall this noise on the donor car at all.

Liam
Liam H

The tranny can be removed with the engine in place if it is a left hand drive car. I do not know if it can be done on a RHD.

Remove the starter and shift extension as well as the shifter. Remove all the tranny mounts. The tranny can now be rotated, slid backward to clear the input shaft, dropped down & out. It is just as much work as pulling the engine & trans, but you do not disturb as much in the engine bay.
Jim Stuart

Liam,
I removed my T5 tranny without removing the engine. It was not difficult. Having a 2ft long socket extension helped with the 2 upper bolts. That was the hardest part. Don't have any experience with SD1 gear box.
Rick

Well, I went back out there today with a heavy heart and with the engine running, pumped the clutch in and out a ton of times and rode the clutch up and down the drive a few times.

This was hard as there are no seats carpets or anything else in the thing as you can imagine!

The noise had stopped, I hope it was just a bearing that didnt like sitting still for so long. I hope that's an end to it. Graham on the group had the exact same problem last year and his went away of its own accord as well.

Thanks all, Liam
Liam H

Liam,

don't worry, had the same on my car too, 22 years ago and it is still working fine up to now. Seems to proof that resting means rusting.

Ralph
Ralph

This thread was discussed between 16/04/2007 and 17/04/2007

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