Which clutch?

[mhibbins]

I'm planning on dropping the gearbox on my 1991 S3 with a 2.9i non-cat engine to put a new clutch in and hopefully sort out the sychro on fourth <crunch>. I understand that the gearbox is a type N (9?) so from which car would the clutch have been sourced? If I find the gearbox is fubar'd I was going to source a 2nd hand type N and bang that in but would I be better served with an MT75 which I understand was stronger (although the ratios are higher)? Presumably I would need a different clutch if I did go for the MT75? Thanks in advance for any info/advice... -- Mark Edited by mhibbins on Tuesday 3rd April 13:11

[muley]

Well, I think my S1 clutch is on the way out and my fifth gear is noisy so a gearbox fix/swap is on the cards, so I'm interested in how you get on. I seem to remember reading somewhere that to get at the clutch the engine has to come out the top, unless the chassis has been butchered?

[mhibbins]

quote:Well, I think my S1 clutch is on the way out and my fifth gear is noisy so a gearbox fix/swap is on the cards, so I'm interested in how you get on. I seem to remember reading somewhere that to get at the clutch the engine has to come out the top, unless the chassis has been butchered?

The steve heath book details a procedure where you drop the gearbox out of the bottom and you shouldn't have to modify the chassis - I think I read that you had to do that on the v8. Wedge automotive can supply an ap racing clutch for 175 quid for an s3. I suspect that the price for an s1 will be more or less the same. Even if I can find out what ford clutch has been used I think I'll probably go for the ap clutch as I can't imagine the ford kit will be that much cheaper. As for your noisy gearbox, I think I would try changing the oil and bunging in some molyslip but if you have the gearbox out it would be worth a root around looking for wear and maybe replacing individual components. Having said that I've never done this but there is always a first time for everything :-) I understand new type N gearboxes are about 350 quid but the scrap yards must be full of them from sierra but obviously you are taking more of a risk in terms of future reliability. -- Mark

[LeeBee]

Don't forget that a swap to an MT75 may need a different prop shaft due to length / fit etc!! Cheers Lee

[mhibbins]

quote:Don't forget that a swap to an MT75 may need a different prop shaft due to length / fit etc!!

Good point. I think in the short term I'm going to change the oil to make it easier to live with for now and then when the clutch gives up the ghost and the weather gets better (no garage) I'll find another type n and put the ap clutch in. Also the haynes manual, which supposedly covers the transmission, tells you how to remove and refit the gearbox from the granada but when it comes to the overhaul it recommends taking it to a gearbox man as it's very difficult... eh?! What sort of workshop manual does that? -- Mark Edited by mhibbins on Thursday 5th April 10:12

[mhibbins]

quote:Also the haynes manual, which supposedly covers the transmission, tells you how to remove and refit the gearbox from the granada but when it comes to the overhaul it recommends taking it to a gearbox man as it's very difficult... eh?! What sort of workshop manual does that?

I complained to haynes and they are going to send me information which will enable me to overhaul my gearbox apparently. Which is nice. -- Mark

[muley]

Thanks for that, I will try changing the oil etc. All fluids service is on the schedule, anyway.