New clutch - should the throw out bearing disengage?
 

I just swapped engines and installed a new clutch. I adjusted the pressure plate fingers to 5/8” per Les Andrews. The clutch works fine, but with the cover off the top of the transmission I could see that the throw out bearing kept spinning even when I release the clutch with the car not in gear. Is this an issue? I assume it will cause more wear on the bearing, but honestly it would be very little since I rarely sit with the clutch out while idling.

The pressure plate had the adjustment bolts/nuts cut through the middle to lock them together, this put the fingers at about 1” from the pressure plate instead of 5/8”. I had to debut the nuts to get them to turn. I did stake them after adjusting.

Re: New clutch - should the throw out bearing disengage?
 

Yes, if you are pushing the clutch pedal to the floor it will spin. how close is the throw out bearing when the pedal is released?

Re: New clutch - should the throw out bearing disengage?
 

If the throw-out bearing is touching the pressure plate fingers it will spin. Only once the pedal is released and the proper amount of free play is set will the bearing stop spinning. The pedal free play should be set to 1.0-1.5".

When setting the pressure plate fingers, the clutch assembly must all be bolted up to the flywheel. The fingers are then set to within .002" of each other.

Re: New clutch - should the throw out bearing disengage?
 

Sorry, I misspoke. The throwout bearing still spins when I release the clutch and the transmission is not in gear. - edited my original post.

Re: New clutch - should the throw out bearing disengage?
 

Try a newangle of explanation. When the pedal is released and your foot is off the pedal the throwout bearing should NOT spin. Continued spinning at this stage will create premature wearout.


As you press the clutch pedal toward the floor, the first 1 to 1.5 inches is "free play". This is the movement of the throwout bearing toward the PP fingers - before they touch. Once the to bearing touches the fingers it should begin spinning.

Re: New clutch - should the throw out bearing disengage?
 

Thanks Ken, the throwout bearing is still spinning with my foot off the pedal. Is there any method of adjustment other than adjusting the pressure plate fingers?

Re: New clutch - should the throw out bearing disengage?
 

Measure the pedal freeplay. Its how far the pedal moves easily before any resistance is felt. As said, it should be 1.0-1.5".

This is adjusted by changing the length of the linkage between the pedal end and the bell housing shaft arm.

The clutch pedal should return fully on its own.

Re: New clutch - should the throw out bearing disengage?
 

Follow Patricks advice. Free Play should be 1 to 1.5". Adjust free play at the adjustable link between the pedal end and the arm on the bell housing.




watching thru the inspection hole the Fork that operates the TO should come all way back til it touches the face of the Transmission bearing reatiner.. As you press pedal down the TO will move forward ti lit touches the fingers. The least amount of touch to the fingers will make the TO spin.


Is the spring that pulls the TO and its carrier and its carrier in place. That spring IS IMPORTANT.

Re: New clutch - should the throw out bearing disengage?
 

You can adjust pedal freeplay by screwing the clutch pedal adjusting yoke in or out of the trunion.

Look at page 1-69 in Les Andrews' book.

Re: New clutch - should the throw out bearing disengage?
 

I have seen 3/4in and 7/8in as recommended measurements. not every clutch disc,pressure plate, fly wheel, throw out bearing is going to be the same thickness. And I think the gap shrinks with clutch wear. you could attempt to tighten the nuts and keep turns consistent around the circle by counting flats/turns on the nuts. go one turn at a time until the bearing stops spinning.

Re: New clutch - should the throw out bearing disengage?
 

Thank you so much everyone, adjusting the yoke fixed it easily. Thank you! Now to fix the oil leaks...

Re: New clutch - should the throw out bearing disengage?
 

Fixing your oil leaks ? That could be a life long task ! Good luck. Most 'As' don't really leak, they just mark their territory.

Re: New clutch - should the throw out bearing disengage?
 

oil leak? Where?

Re: New clutch - should the throw out bearing disengage?
 

That's just the way As lubricate the seals (LOL).

Re: New clutch - should the throw out bearing disengage?
 

It's also the way it lubricates your driveway, garage and the street!