Clutch release arm question

[currylager]

Ok, things are moving on, engine is prepped and reverse manifold, loom fitted etc, after much swearing i finally have the gearbox and RJES bellhousing mounted to the EJ22 . However i decided to check the operation of the clutch lever and it seems extremely stiff, stiff to the point i actually started to distort the cable lug too . I get around 20mm of movement in the arm when disengaging the clutch, is this normal?, using EJ20 pressure plate and VW clutch disc, i just want to make sure this is right before i try and put the lump in my bus.

Advice and lots of moral support appreciated

James
_________________
HMMM, dont know yet, but i'll have a go!!!!

[currylager]

No ideas too? . I guess i'll have to try putting the unit into the bus and connect the clutch cable and checks its operation before i get carried away and go any further.
_________________
HMMM, dont know yet, but i'll have a go!!!!

[cali red]

Clutch should be easy before engine goes in and lighter to use than vw set up after engine is in, doesnt sound good ? what type vw is it goin in?

[ElusiveStranger]

As Cali said, should be real easy with no engine in.
The scooby clutch is lighter on the foot than a stock 2 litre a/c clutch too
_________________
The advice you receive on here is worth the paper it's written on.
Your experiences are worth shed loads to others, including the f'ups - live and learn.
Wouldn't YOU rather learn by someone else's mistakes? So would they.

'78 Bay, 2 litre 091 box, EJ20 NA & the ashtray's on the 'right' side.
I don't lean forward for hills any more
Bugger, missed out on "Live fast, die young"

[rjes]

Obviously the clutch should not be so heavy that anything bends. The lever itself should be too heavy to operate by hand, but if you 'extend' it about 6" by putting a tube over it, etc, you should easily be able to operate it by hand.

There should be a few millimetres of slack in the cable, so a bit of pedal travel will be required before the lever on the end of the clutch release shaft moves. If you don't have any slack, the cable could be partially disengaging the clutch without pressing the pedal.

20mm cable travel is slightly less than I'd expect (23mm, measured in late bays). How long is the lever on the end of the clutch shaft? It should be 74mm from the shaft centre to the cable centre. Maybe you have an obscure one which is shorter? If so, the 20mm of cable travel could create too big an angle of clutch shaft movement.

I would take the engine off the bell housing again to find out why the clutch is so stiff. Something doesn't sound right.
_________________
Regards,

Richard,

R J Engineered Solutions
Quality Subaru Powered VW Components
www.rjes.com

[B4Tfink]

did you fit a new bush maybee?, i had to skim mine down a bit as it made it a bit stiff to rotate before the gearbox was fitted..
when you say you have 20mm of movement is this free movement?
_________________
1988 T25 EJ25 n/a.. it just makes more sense that way..

[currylager]

Hello thanks for the replies, the clutch is stiff to operate with the engine fitted, must be a stiff pressure plate . It will operate with about 1-2 inches of movement if i try and operate it with a pair of grips. It must be the first thing i try after pushing the unit into position in the Bus, i dont fancy having to take anything back out again
_________________
HMMM, dont know yet, but i'll have a go!!!!