The clutch in my FE appears to have a slow leak. It works fine, but I noticed a slight oil spot this past weekend, speeping out from under the bellhousing. Upon removing the bellhousing, I found a film of fluid (I assume clutch fluid) and dirt sprayed all over the inside of the bellhousing. It looks like it's probably been leaking like this for a while, and only recently has there been enough fluid for it to seep outside of the bellhousing.
Any ideas on what this could be? Maybe the o-rings in the clutch cylinder? They look okay, but I bet just a bit of dirt would cause them to leak.
The hoses and hose ends look fine. If the hose ends leaked, I would probably end up with a drip of fluid on the floor, rather than fluid sprayed all over the bellhousing.
It's a good idea to replace them every time you can see them. It's a pain to have to do it at the track.
One other thing that may be the problem is over-stroking the clutch. The part that moves in the throwout assembly moves too far and leaks with each stoke. This is also not good for the clutch.
Got it. Thanks Paul. I'll replace the o-rings. I haven't replaced them since the car was new (18 weekends).
I don't think it's the stroke length on the clutch, as I've got a stop installed on the clutch pedal, and there is little pedal movement from the time the clutch engages until the stop.
It's o-rings. We replace them.every winter and sometimes during the year if there's been an off. Never split the car without replacing them.
Steve's right. In fact, I wouldn't have missed the Sprints if I had listened to him and replaced mine. The new O-ring package he had sent me was sitting on my shop bench when the old one failed during a race...
Clutch only in the pits. You can make do entirely without the clutch, you just have to be really ready to go when you hit the start on pit road and be ready to kill the motor if you have to stop on the grid!
Steve's right. In fact, I wouldn't have missed the Sprints if I had listened to him and replaced mine. The new O-ring package he had sent me was sitting on my shop bench when the old one failed during a race...
I checked Marshall'e profile page but did not see his age or birth date. Maybe when he said "the old one" he was talking about himself, not the part. Just a guess ...
I checked Marshall'e profile page but did not see his age or birth date. Maybe when he said "the old one" he was talking about himself, not the part. Just a guess ...
Ouch!!!! There's more truth there than I'd like to admit....
Coop - you are correct that once in motion on track, FEs don't use the clutch (I don't - some guys clutch on downshifts). I discovered the failed clutch on the cool-down lap - total loss, no fluid left at all, after finishing the race and setting the track record. Trouble is, I had zero time available to split the car, and there's no way to start w/o a clutch on the [uphill] grid at Road A.....
Now Marshall, I seem to remember splitting the car for you between sessions at Blackhawk to change those o-rings once. Two weeks!! . How was your engine at Milwaukee?
Now Marshall, I seem to remember splitting the car for you between sessions at Blackhawk to change those o-rings once. Two weeks!! .
Harrumph......[mutters something about working twelve-hour days and weekends.....]
Yeah, I remember that too. Maybe if I'd changed them at any point since then......oh, well. Lesson learned.
Quote:
How was your engine at Milwaukee?
Fine - plenty strong, in fact. Qualified on pole in wings'n'things, so I think it's safe to assume it's OK. These things are nearly bulletproof as long as you don't run 'em too lean....
Leaking Clutch?
