Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Clutch replacement

Hi guys,

I'm currently working on a 1953 Morgan Plus 4.

A TR4 engine is fitted on this car instead of the original TR3 engine. I will have to replace the clutch disk and mechanism (and probably the clutch release too) and I'm wondering what if the best procedure : removing the gearbox only, or the engine only, or both of them as a single unit ?

Thanks,

Julian

This depends upon the space you have available.

The "normal" way is to remove the gearbox and extension shaft backwards into the inside of the car first , then take the engine out from the engine bay forwards.

Taking the two out as one unit forwards can be done but it involves a very big , heavy , and very awkward transit, and there is more possibility of damage as the whole assembly hitting something else on the way .

You can then replace the clutch more easily on the rear of the engine AND use the extension shaft to centralise the clutch before bolting up the pressure plate.

Regarding the release mechanism , there are a few watch points .:- Is the carbon disc on the aluminium cylinder worn , if in any doubt replace. Is there any noticeable play of the cylinder in the bell housing sleeve , if so get the bell housing machined and sleeved back to standard . Is the slot through which the bolt in the bottom of the cylinder operates worn? If so get a reinforcing strip attached (the machine shop should be able to do this . Lastly look very carefully at the operating linkage , the clevis pins and housing can be worn , the push rod can be bent out of line

There is a lot of detail here I appreciate , this is a job that is worth doing well once.

Thank you very much Andy for this complete and technical answer. As a pro, I have all the required equipment and can raise all what I want to !

Once the gearbox and extension shaft out, I'm not sure to get the engine out. Centralise the clutch is easy and should be a problem.

Anyway I will take care about all the watch points that you talked about and will let you know once the job done.

Thanks again

PS : sorry for this late reply but I thought that I would received an email once my post would got a reply...

Centralised the clutch is an absolute doddle....its as if Morgan designed a tool for the job!!

If you need them, the Borg and Beck part numbers for the friction disc and clutch cover are HB9715 and HA3362 - on a recent clutch install on 1968 and 1955 Plus 4's I was able to get these parts over the counter at my local factors for much much less than Morgan specialists.

Whilst you have the gearbox separated from the bellhousing, check the small fibre washer fitted as a seal to the bottom layshaft. They have been known to leak. I make new ones from 2mm oil resistant neoprene and glue them in with a bit of instant gasket.

Arwyn