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MG MGB Technical - Checking flywheel

About to replace the flywheel on my 67 B. I would appreciate some advice on how to tell if the flywheel needs resurfacing and what thickness it can be surfaced to?. How thick was it new?

Surface looks ok, no significant chunks or gouges in the area where the clutch runs

Bruce Cunha

We have lightened those flywheels down to a bit under 1/2" thickness and no reliability problems. This was achieved by taking material off the back. The main problem you will face if taking too much off the front is in the clutch arm geometry.
Paul Walbran

Bruce, I always resurface a flywheel when replacing a clutch assembly. Not doing so is simply asking for trouble. You can wind up with a "vicious" clutch or one that judders. The flywheel is overly engineered and you'd have to take off quite a bit of metal from the drive side to affect the geometry of the clutch release bearing, though it is possible in rare situations. RAY
rjm RAY

Thanks Paul and Ray. On my way to the machine shop this morning. This is the original plate. Clutch plate was changed about 20,000 miles ago, but the flywheel has not been surfaced as far as I know. Should be good on this one.
Bruce Cunha

$35 and I have a pretty shaved flywheel. Tomorrow is engine installation day. Nearly there on getting the B GT back on the road.
Bruce Cunha

Bruce. Been following your saga ever since you started your trek. Glad to see you are reaching the end of the rebuild. If you are ever driving through Florida on the the west coast, pop in. I would like to see your wheels and share a beer. We have some good Brit Pubs around here.

We will leave a light on for you

Cheers

Gary
79 MGB
gary hansen

Starting out with a freshly machined flywheel and a new clutch assembly will be like driving a new car. Good luck in getting the engine back in and getting the B back on the road. RAY
rjm RAY

Thanks Gary. Flying to your state the end of March, will be in Orlando for only a day and a half. You anywhere around there? Any large MG gatherings planned for Florida in the near future? With a new motor, I think I can drive anywhere.

I did run into another of those things that the shop manuals don't talk about.

Put on a new throw-out bearing. I replaced the carbon one with a roller bearing Only have about 20,000 on this one and it was nearly worn out.

I noted there is a bit of side to side play in the fork. Is there a bushing in the fork where the bolt goes through? What would be considered as acceptable play?

Motor installation got side tracked today due to a leak in the rear brake that was making a mess on the floor. Not sure why, but right rear slave cylinder decided to start leaking. Must be the ghost working the brake pedal. Fortunately, I had a spare slave cylinder kit.
Bruce Cunha

Bruce, We live near Tampa about a good 2 hr. Drive from Orlando

April 17-19 there is a GoF near Orlando we are attending. Come on down It is in Howey- in-the-Hills, Florida. You can look it up on line.
Cannot find the brochure for it at this moment.

Cheers

Gary

79 MGB
gary hansen

Gary
The pivot bushing for the clutch withdrawal lever is Moss Motors Part #330-200. It's only $1.75. I grease it with white lithium grease. A finger-slip is plenty tight.
Stephen Strange

Bruce, after hearing about early failure in the roller throwout bearings, I installed one of Doug Jackson's throwout bearing pulloff kits. It's a very simple bit of kit that allows you to move the slave cylinder so that the throwout bearing isn't in constant contact with the pressure plate and therefore spinning all of the time. After receiving the kit, I figured that I could duplicate it in about an hours worth of time, but was glad to give Doug Jackson the business. The adjustable unit has been on my B since '93 and the HD Borg and Beck clutch assembly is as easy to operate today as the when I first installed it. The kit also allows you to set the engagement point of the clutch pedal to your particular requirements. $50 well spent. RAY
rjm RAY

Ray. In reading up on this, it appears this is a spring that pulls the TO
bearing back. Any info on it the kit is available?
Bruce Cunha

This thread was discussed between 27/02/2015 and 01/03/2015

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