[Spridgets] HELP Diagnosing a Clutch Problem

[David Riker]

With the engine off, have one person watch the front crankshaft pulley. 
Have a second person depress the clutch pedal. Using a long pry bar or pipe, 
pry back on the crankshaft pully while the person inside the car releases 
the clutch.  If the front pulley moves forward and backwards AT ALL you can 
be 99.9% sure that you have lost the thrust bearings inside the engine. 
VERY common problem on spitfidget engines.  Do not continue to run the 
engine or siginificant damage to the crankshaft will result.

For repair, look up threads on pinning the thrust bearings.

David R.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kevin Valentine" <kevinv1275 at gmail.com>
To: "Spridgets" <spridgets at autox.team.net>
Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2008 6:45 PM
Subject: [Spridgets] HELP Diagnosing a Clutch Problem


> Hey All,
>
> The clutch is in a 1500 Midget.  We recently swapped engines.  All
> was fine immediately after the swap but the following symptoms have
> begun to surface;
>
> When the engine is off and the clutch is depressed, it feels like a
> normal clutch.  (Easy to push in and release).
>
> When the engine is running the clutch is much more difficult to
> depress and the pressure pushing back on the pedal (pedal resistance)
> is more than when the engine is not running.