Which clutch?

Talk about the E-Type Series 1
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peters3103
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#1 Which clutch?

Post by peters3103 » Sun Nov 24, 2019 8:41 am

Having separated my engine and gearbox, the engine a 3.8 and the gearbox, a later all synchro unit, I note the clutch is a Borg & Beck 10” 3 finger type. I was actually surprised by this as my previous S1 4.2 had the same type fitted and it seemed a lot heavier at the pedal. I subsequently replaced it with a 9” diagram type. The question is, although it doesn’t look worn out it did shudder a bit, particularly in stop start traffic, so should I replace it with another 10” Borg & Beck clutch?

Cheers,
Pete
Pete
61 E-Type FHC Opalescent Golden Sand
69 XJ6 4.2 MOD Old English White - one previous owner
16 XE R Sport 25t Polaris White - shopping trolley
63 MGB Roadster Aintree Green - my dads from new

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abowie
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#2 Re: Which clutch?

Post by abowie » Sun Nov 24, 2019 8:00 pm

I would.
Andrew.
881824, 1E21538. 889457. 1961 4.3l Mk2. 1975 XJS. 1962 MGB
http://www.projectetype.com/index.php/the-blog.html
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#3 Re: Which clutch?

Post by peters3103 » Sun Nov 24, 2019 8:07 pm

Thanks Andrew, where do you source your Borg & Beck clutch kits from? Locally?

Cheers,
Pete
Pete
61 E-Type FHC Opalescent Golden Sand
69 XJ6 4.2 MOD Old English White - one previous owner
16 XE R Sport 25t Polaris White - shopping trolley
63 MGB Roadster Aintree Green - my dads from new

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#4 Re: Which clutch?

Post by abowie » Mon Nov 25, 2019 7:56 am

I buy everything from either SNG Barratts or David Manners in the UK.

All the Aussie sellers do the same and then charge you a premium for it.

Always worth checking E Bay just in case there's a good deal.

Sometimes SNGB offer free freight in January... even to us.
Andrew.
881824, 1E21538. 889457. 1961 4.3l Mk2. 1975 XJS. 1962 MGB
http://www.projectetype.com/index.php/the-blog.html
Adelaide, Australia

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#5 Re: Which clutch?

Post by abowie » Mon Nov 25, 2019 8:02 am

WRT my brief answer above.

The 10" 3.8 clutch works well and there is no reason to "upgrade" it simply because the 4.2 clutch is different.

Albeit the design is older, but it works well, lasts well and is comfortable to drive.

In my experience the thrust bearings always wear out before the clutch anyway.

My personal approach is to always replace the clutch EVERY TIME I take the engine out.

$400 or so is trivial in comparison to the annoyance of removing and replacing the engine.
Andrew.
881824, 1E21538. 889457. 1961 4.3l Mk2. 1975 XJS. 1962 MGB
http://www.projectetype.com/index.php/the-blog.html
Adelaide, Australia

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#6 Re: Which clutch?

Post by peters3103 » Mon Nov 25, 2019 9:51 am

Thanks and I agree whole heartedly Andrew, I’d never pull an engine/box out without replacing the clutch. Different story if the box can be removed with engine in situ.
B&B HK5229 10” clutch kit - $405 inc postage from e-type parts in Hull UK. Listed to suit both 3.8 and 4.2 so must be compatible with my later all synchro box. Seems competitively priced.

Cheers,
Pete
Pete
61 E-Type FHC Opalescent Golden Sand
69 XJ6 4.2 MOD Old English White - one previous owner
16 XE R Sport 25t Polaris White - shopping trolley
63 MGB Roadster Aintree Green - my dads from new

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#7 Re: Which clutch?

Post by peters3103 » Fri Nov 29, 2019 11:11 am

Andrew, if I order the Borg & Beck 10” clutch kit listed for 3.8 presumably the 3 components will be suitable for the later all synchro box? I believe the early 4.2 used the 10” too. A couple of the suppliers can’t confirm this.

Cheers
Pete
Pete
61 E-Type FHC Opalescent Golden Sand
69 XJ6 4.2 MOD Old English White - one previous owner
16 XE R Sport 25t Polaris White - shopping trolley
63 MGB Roadster Aintree Green - my dads from new

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abowie
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#8 Re: Which clutch?

Post by abowie » Fri Nov 29, 2019 9:10 pm

According to my receipts I bought this from SNGB in January 2017. £150 and free freight too. I see they're currently £197. ex VAT. If you ask SNGB, Manners etc they will give you an across the board 10% discount.

https://www.sngbarratt.com/uk/#!/Englis ... f9385e5a5a

This is what's installed in my 3.8 coupe with the later 4 synchro box. AFAIK I didn't substitute a different thrust bearing or anything so it should work for you too. From memory it was AF brand.

This is an excellent example of Aussie pricing:

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-Jaguar- ... ctupt=true

As an aside I have a mate in Adelaide who supplies MG parts in Oz via EBay (MGSales). He gets weekly deliveries from Moss in the US. His prices for MG parts are pretty comparable to the Moss price with postage, probably because of his bulk discounts. I find myself wondering why Jaguar parts are that much more expensive here.
Andrew.
881824, 1E21538. 889457. 1961 4.3l Mk2. 1975 XJS. 1962 MGB
http://www.projectetype.com/index.php/the-blog.html
Adelaide, Australia

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#9 Re: Which clutch?

Post by peters3103 » Sat Nov 30, 2019 6:51 am

Probably because most Jaguar owners are prepared to pay the price Andrew. Like yourself I’m prepared to purchase at a more favourable price, even taking postage into consideration. Buying from the UK or USA is much cheaper however it’s a PITA if the parts are shite quality or incorrect. :banghead:
Pete
61 E-Type FHC Opalescent Golden Sand
69 XJ6 4.2 MOD Old English White - one previous owner
16 XE R Sport 25t Polaris White - shopping trolley
63 MGB Roadster Aintree Green - my dads from new

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PeterCrespin
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#10 Re: Which clutch?

Post by PeterCrespin » Sun Dec 01, 2019 3:42 pm

The coil spring or diaphragm pressure plate are usable with any gearbox. However, the release bearing and pressure plate must match - unless you enjoy removing the engine & gearbox again.

If Andrew’s fitment of a coil clutch worked fine with no change of release bearing, which sounds perfectly believable, then either his fresh 4-synchro box and bell already had a 3.8 coil release bearing in the fork, or someone swapped it without him noticing/remembering.

Buying the usual 3-part kit is the safest route and if you feel miles covered will be significant then swapping just the friction plate at engine-out time is a good option unless the clutch has slipped and overheated.

Coil spring clutches are heavier and marginally less reliable, which is why car makers absndoned them in the 1960s. They are period corret, however, and one driver’ “too heavy” is another driver’s “pleasantly firm”, so opinions differe
1E75339 UberLynx D-Type; 1R27190 70 FHC; 1E78478; 2001 Vanden Plas

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#11 Re: Which clutch?

Post by peters3103 » Sun Dec 01, 2019 9:03 pm

Thanks Pete, I guess as long as the components I fit are identical to what I’ve removed...
Pete
61 E-Type FHC Opalescent Golden Sand
69 XJ6 4.2 MOD Old English White - one previous owner
16 XE R Sport 25t Polaris White - shopping trolley
63 MGB Roadster Aintree Green - my dads from new

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