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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Soft clutch

Thoughts about this one, please?
On newly rebuilt Frog, the clutch is very light with a bite point vert high. so high that normally I might conclude a worn driven plate and expect it to be close to slipping. But it was put together with new clutch, (driven and pressure). Clutch lever arm isn't contacting the bell housing cut out. It fully disengages so not a bleed problem and the gearchange is good.

Its a 1098 engine driving a rib case gearbox. The clutch is a standard 1098 coil spring pressure plate (6 spring). With hindsight, I would have fitted a competition 9 spring cover. Although the engine isn't uprated at all but it might have felt better.
GuyW

Guy

It may just need to settle down. I fitted a new clutch plate last year when I rebuilt the engine. It bit a little high and felt light but after a couple of hundred miles it has settled down. Either that or I have got used to it. How many miles have you done?
Bob Beaumont

It's very subjective and what you're are used to, got used to, remember (or think you can).

It's working, count your blessings, and if it continues to work properly see how it goes as Bob's put. If you were replying to a post from someone else you'd probably think the same but we tend to be less rational about our own cars.
Nigel Atkins

About 40 now Bob. Still sorting through minor adjustments and potential issues. I dont think the clutch is slipping, but it is very high and very light. I need to take it up the lane for a test - a 1:4 hill :-)
Yes it is subjective and my other car has a competition clutch with that concentric slave and silly short gear stick! And that clutch is very heavy to press and engages / disengages like an on /off switch! I am very used to it now, but it is definitely fierce on start off. This frog one is at the other end of the scale.
GuyW

If its still an issue you could adjust the pushrod on the master cylinder to give a pit more clearance
Bob Beaumont

I did check that Bob. And you are right, it was a bit tight, but the bite point is still high. I am wondering if I should add a pull off spring to the clutch lever, as used on some Morris Minors, I believe.
GuyW

Should not need to. The pull off spring on the pushrod should ensure the system is not under any 'load'. May be worth increasing the clearance on the pushrod a bit more. Mine is a bit more than factory for what its worth
Bob Beaumont

Well having done a few running tests today I dont think it is slipping at all. Its just a very light pedal and a high bite point. I will just leave things as they are for now and see how it behaves for a while.
GuyW

This thread was discussed on 31/05/2021

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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