Clutch trouble

Ianrhall · Post by **Ianrhall** » Sat Dec 14, 2013 1:25 pm

Got the manual box in my rover cortina now
Fitted a new master cylinder-standard ford(3/4 I think) new slave cylinder. Bled it and bled it!! Have quite a light pedal,it is operating the clutch but not enough, feels like I have about 2" of movement before anything happens. Wondering if I either have incompatible components or if I need adjustable pushrods one end or the other
Any suggestions most welcome
Ian

richardpope50 · Post by **richardpope50** » Sat Dec 14, 2013 5:56 pm

To me it sounds that you are not really moving the clutch - I had that problem and had to re-calculate the requirement of volume of fluid to push to make slave cylinder to move enough. Quite an easy calculation and may be the Ford 3/4 master is not pushing enough volume as a Rover one would assuming it is a standard Rover gearbox.

Having calculated the correct M/c requirement then the length of pedal will determine how light the action will be. In case you need it, Wilwood make various size aftermarket M/c and larger than the normal Girling, etc. I used a Wilwood one to enable my Dax pedal to move enough fluid as the (typical kit car) Girling one did not.

stevieturbo · Post by **stevieturbo** » Sat Dec 14, 2013 6:05 pm

Standard Ford master cylinder ? in a Cortina ?

Surely they were all cable clutches ?

3/4" is fairly large as far as master's go so assuming pedal travel is normal it should be shifting a lot of fluid

Ianrhall · Post by **Ianrhall** » Sat Dec 14, 2013 6:12 pm

Mk1 cortina has hydraulic clutch.
Extended the pushrod in the slave end and have improved things
Ian

stevieturbo · Post by **stevieturbo** » Sat Dec 14, 2013 6:22 pm

At rest, pedal high.

Fluid should be free to move from slave to reservoir..ie push the slave rod and it should move and fluid enter the reservoir.

Likewise at this rest position, the slave rod should be fairly well retracted, but also with only a small amount of free play between the fork and slave.

That's to ensure you have the max travel available.

If things dont work after that, and you are sure you're all bled up, there is a leverage mismatch somewhere.

mike-b · Post by **mike-b** » Sat Dec 14, 2013 9:50 pm

Hi,
What gearbox is fitted? I ask because the rover 5-speed LT77 uses a different release bearing carrier & bearing to the T5.
I have the T5 with a 3/4-inch master and the standard rover slave with the standard length push rod on my Granny.
If the T5 is fitted you must use the carrier and release bearing meant for the T5 though the standard slave can be used.
Mike-b

gelmonkey · Post by **gelmonkey** » Sun Dec 15, 2013 11:24 am

LT77 used two different types of bearing carrier.
Short one for the 2.6 and a longer one for the 3.5.
I do have a longer one here that I can measure if that is any help to you?
Had exactly the same problem with a mates car years ago and took ages to find out cause.
No forum available back then

Also original clutch cylinder was a 0.625 Girling if my memory is still working as it should so a 3/4 should shift loads of fluid.
One other point and I'm not taking the pee do you have the slave cylinder mounted the right way up with the bleed nipple to the top?
If not turn it 180 and try bleeding again

P