From: Jay Nemeth-Johannes <jayj@hpislj.lvld.hp.com>
|> > ~ No question about it, bad pilot bearing.
|>
|> > I've never had a pilot bearing go bad. I *think* I see what you
[..]
|> In fact, I have lost more pilot bearings than throwout bearings
|> recently, but the symptoms Bob described could be either. The way to
|> determine which it is is that a throwout bearing will grind anytime
|> the clutch is depressed, while a pilot bearing shows two different
|> symptoms. First, it only grinds when the clutch is depressed while the
|> transmission is in gear. Second, if it is really bad pressing in the
|> clutch while in gear will cause it to seemingly not release.
|>
|> > (Note that a badly collapsed T-O bearing will cause grinding
|> > immediately on pressing the clutch, while a worn-out one usually
|> > is silent till you try to move the gear lever. That's why I
|> > ask that question up above there.)
|> Hmmm. That may make it tougher to diagnose as a pilot bearing will
|> also wait until you try to select a gear.
Okay here is the deal, the clutch grinds like crazy when the car is
running and in neutral and I try to press the clutch pedal or
disengage (or is it engage) the clutch. I don't believe anything wore
out, I believe something broke. I went from having no grinding to
total grinding in a matter of about 5 seconds. I really thought the
fan hit the radiator again when I heard the grinding (last fall's
wonderful episode).
[Stuff about replacing all the pieces being the thing to do deleted]
I do plan to replace everything.
On another note, before pulling the engine I wanted to make sure that
everything was hunky-dory after last summer's in situ piston & ring
replacement (If you recall I was a day away from driving my car from
Dayton to Myrtle Beach when I discovered #4 was burning copious amount
of oil due to a broken ring and chipped piston.) The good news is I
have between 176-180 psi on all four cylinders and 70 psi oil pressure!
Yeah! I've got about a 1000 miles on the engine since redoing it.
On yet another note, air tools are indeed the coolest thing since
sliced bread. I bought an impact wrench and an air wratchet and they
made quick work of getting the bonnett off and the radiator out last
night. Getting the exhaust manifold disconnected has never been so
easy. I believe Sears still has the 4 hp 25 gal compressor for $299
if you are interested.
|> Jay
Bob
|