Dear Bill:
In response to your question
>What is the estimated useful life of thrust washers?
In an MGB indefinite, in a Triumph short.
>Does driving style affect the useful life i.e. highway vs. city?
The one factor that really accounts for wear is clutch operation.
The more gear shifts the more times the crank gets pushed against the
washers.
>Why don't MGs have the same problem with thrust washers?
The MG washers have a larger area. The clutch operating system
is different. The clutch cover springs are not as heavy.
>If this is/was such a known engineering defect why didn't Britsh
> Leyland fix the problem?
Ask any Vega owner that one. No money, within design tolerance,
etc, etc.
The Triumph engine design originated as a low output engine.
Over the years Triumph cranked more and more power out of the basic
design. Unfortunately, more power required a heavier clutch. The
heavier clutch put more stress on the thrust washers, which were not
upgraded. In the TR6 thrust washer failure is not that prevalent. It's
kind of like the #3 rod going out on a B. When they fail that is where
they go. Usually it is caused by abuse, neglect or in the TR6 incorrect
clutch linkage geometry. The real problem child is the 1500 engine,
when the engine size was increased from 1296cc to 1500cc reliability
went down the tubes. The thrust washers would fail causing the rods to
move sidways, finally the rod bearings would fail. This was happening
within 20-30,000 miles. Something to watch out for in the late Midget.
Kelvin.
Bill Schleusner wrote:
>
> My fellow MGers,
>
> I have a confession to make. During a lapse in sanity I subscribed to the
> Triumphs list and contemplated purchasing a TR6. You'll remember my tirade
> about trying to find an MGBGT. Being a true lover of most lbcs I thought maybe
> I could find a decent TR6 (you can flame me later).
>
> Having heard so many horror stories about the infamous "thrust washers" I
> decided to ask the Triumph group about the estimated useful life of thrust
> washers. Well let me tell you, this question went over about as well as a
>fart
> in church. I have not received one response about the above said washers.
> Needless to say it didn't give me a warm feeling about either Triumphs or the
> list.
>
> That said, and I know there are many closet Triumph owners on this list, maybe
> I can get a better response from this group.
>
> I have a few questions that if anyone could answer I would greatly appreciate
> it:
>
>
> Why am I so attracted to a car that has a known history of terrible
> problems? (rhetorical question, no answer needed).
>
> I want to thank everyone regarding the responses to my "Burned Big Time"
> tirade, sometimes it's comforting to know other people have experienced the
> same thing as yourself.
>
> I may have strayed but I have now returned........
>
> <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
> >From Bill Schleusner
> Texas Instruments Incorporated
> b-schleusner@ti.com
> <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
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