Mk1 Cortina clutch

garrathj · 12-02-2014, 07:14 PM

I have a 1500 non crossflow cortina engine and gearbox in my car and the clutch is starting to make some strange sounds. I suspect it is the bearing as it only makes the noise when clutch is going in or out, it's fine while driving.

I've done some research and am not sure which way to go, it seems that you can use the Mk2 and later bearing with a spacer but i'm not sure if this is the best way.

Have any Mk1 Cortina owners (or others that have this clutch) had any experience with these?

I'll have the engine out soon so any help would be appreciated.

Cheers

foxtrot3 · 12-02-2014, 07:55 PM

Hi. Not a lot of difference between any bearing, they all seem to last about the same amount of time as the clutch plate. Wait till you pull the engine and have a look at the rest of the clutch. If you cant get the right bearing see if the late bearing will fit with its carrier and no spacer. Cheers MD

garrathj · 12-02-2014, 08:18 PM

Thanks for the reply, really was hoping to preempt the problem and buy the correct part in advance so I could get the engine out and back in on a weekend.

I may have to take a punt and order in the original correct bearing and hope for the best!

The clutch has always worked fine, only the noise that has come up recently.

Cheers

hoodedaxeman · 13-02-2014, 07:37 AM

It depends which type of pressure plate you have, some need a bearing with a flat face, others need a bearing with a raised lip.

garrathj · 13-02-2014, 10:34 AM

Thanks, I'm hoping it is the standard one.
http://www.smallfordspares.co.uk/pro...ease-bearing-1

The engine/gearbox was put in the car in the 80s so I suspect it is more likely to be original type.

LG17 · 13-02-2014, 04:37 PM

Try Yesterford for the bearing.

garrathj · 13-02-2014, 04:45 PM

Thanks, will give them a try!

Dr Danger · 14-02-2014, 05:22 PM

Is it a daily driver?

Could you pull it out and take it down to your local bearing place and try to match it up?

Potentially easier than preempting what's in there. Just cause it was done in the 80's doesn't mean it's likely to be original. Perhaps the opposite...

garrathj · 14-02-2014, 07:11 PM

Yeah, have resigned myself to the fact I won't get out and in in one day so will pull apart and grab the right bits.

Yesterford seem to have everything so car will just have to be off the road for a week.

Cheers

allanv6gt · 16-02-2014, 09:55 PM

Better to take a week and get everything matching
than to
not get it right and have to take it all out again....bother !!!

TER2BO · 22-02-2014, 08:09 AM

Hi, Garrathj how did it go?? have you pulled it out yet??

As has been posted you could have several different combos if it was last done in the 80's. The orginal combo was a 4bolt flywheel with coil spring pressure plate. Lots were changed to the later finger type with different bearings because they were better/stonger? or more plentiful? easier to repair?
If you are pulling it out suggest you have the whole lot check out/done.
Derry at BGT brakes in Dandenong had a GT500 and has been doing clutches/brakes for Cortinas since when he was in Hawthorn doing them for Harry Firth. Still does them for most of the Victorian Historic Cortinas running.

garrathj · 22-02-2014, 08:52 AM

Thanks!

Engine is coming out today so it will all become apparent.

The engine has been modified quite a bit so it is entirely likely that the clutch was uprated a the same time.

I'll be taking some pics and determine what is actually in there and can go from there.

Cheers

garrathj · 23-02-2014, 12:50 PM

Well its all out and appears to be all Mk1 clutch components.

The thrust bearing seems to be ok and the plate and cover are in good shape. I'm suspecting it is the spigot bearing as it doesn't look so good and is a little worse for wear and given the sounds it was making it could well be that.

In any case I'll replace both bearings I think. Is there any trick to getting the spigot bearing out?

Cheers