Mechanic proposition

[paisesmediterraneos]

I don't know if this is the right blatchat section for this post, but as it's about mechanic I write it here. If the admin thinks it's not the right place, please, move it to another section.

Hello, I am David from Granada (south of Spain). I have a 2003 1.6K Roadsport EU3, since I bought the car the clutch is not fine. Finally I've decided to change de clutch kit. In Spain we have no Caterham dealership and I don't trust at all in a mechanic that has never seen a Caterham to move out the whole engine. I know something about mechanic and have at home a lot of tools, but I don't know to the level of move the engine out of the car and change the clutch.

I would also like to learn more about the mechanic of my car...so I was wondering if someone want to help me to do it.

I will pay a flight ticket from U.K to Malaga or Granada (go and return), I will go to pick you up to the airport, you will stay in my house and I will show you the wonderful Granada in the free time. I have also a lot of beer at home to refresh us when we will do the mechanic. I don't know how much time we will spend changing the clutch (I never did it), but if we will take one or two days to do it, I can buy the flight tickets for you to stay here 4, 5 days or a full week, so I will have time to show you Granada and enjoy our monuments, beers and tapas.

I know in these moments it will be difficult to travel, so maybe we can plan to do it in autumn or winter, no more late than next spring ( I don't know if the clutch will resist so much).

If any of you has experience about moving out the engine of the car and changing clutch and is interested about my proposition, tell me and we will plan it.

I will order all the spares to Chris Mintoft (Redline). I will order the clutch kit (cover, plate and bearing), bell housing gasket, crankshaft seal, gearbox to clutch seal and the exhaust manifold gasket.

Regards, David.

 

[ECR]

What a fine offer! I would be happy to do it but I cant commit due to other possible engagements. I am sure someone will take up the offer though and you will be surprised at how straightforward it is.

good luck!

[TomB]

Do you have access to an engine crane?  Its a bit big for hand luggage! Fantastic offer for someone with the time and knowledge.     

PS - you need to sure you get all the parts you might conceivably need as a missing part would ruin your plan.  Other things off the top of my head - clutch release bearing, does the clutch kit come with new cover bolts?  It might be a great opportunity to fit a light weight flywheel - it is literally a case of undoing 6 bolts, pulling the old flywheel off and fitting the new one, then continuing with the clutch replacement. 

[rj]

Spigot bearing

[Jonathan Kay]

Private Message sent.

[Alan Reeves]

what a great idea...if I was more confident I would be putting my hand up, played with Duratech engines and lots of in/out scenarios but confident to lead it, no. 

The other issue right now is quarantine in the UK on returning albeit I think that will change within the next two weeks 

alan

[Golf Juliet Tango]

David, what a generous offer. I wish I had sufficient skills to take you up on this.

[rj]

It's not bad at all.

You don't need to take out the gearbox, and it's - with the right tools - a 4 hour job or so.

Let me know if you need an assembly guide for a K-series car.

What I tried to say earlier: Remember to source a spigot bearing. It's easy to damage it.

[revilla]

BM sent.

[paisesmediterraneos]

Thank you for all your advices!!!!

TomB, I ordered last week an hydraulic engine crane, I also have platforms to stand up up the car, ratchets to hold the car, an hydraulic jack...I will add the new cover bolts to the order of parts, I didnt think about them, thank you.

rj, thank you, I will add the spigot bearing to the parts I will order to Chris Mintoft.

 

Thank you again, regards.

[TomB]

See if you can get a lightweight flywheel, it transforms the car!

[Bricol]

Unless you have an oil leak, then all you really need is the clutch kit - no seals, no gaskets other than maybe the exhaust one - mine was perfectly reuseable.  I'm not so sure about the spigot bearing either - I've not had one fail in road use, or damaged one getting the box off or back on.  New bolts aren't really needed either if you have a bottle of decent threadlock (medium).

What you might want is a clutch centering tool - usually I can get away with using a finger, but occasionally I have to turn something up in the lathe.  It will allow you to center the clutch friction disc properly and remove that doubt when you show the engine and box back together.

Its not really a difficult job if you have half an idea of mechanical bits.  But remember the bolts under the bell housing into the sump!

In fact, a clutch change, if you remember those bolts, in a Caterham is probably easier than in most modern cars as you can get to everything (other than those two bolts!) from on top, so for your average garagist, it will be easy peasy.  Just warn them the aluminium bodywork is easily damaged, so be carefully pulling the exhaust away from the head.

But before you get into all that - what is wrong with the clutch - I assume it is slipping?  You may have been resting your left foot on the pedal and just putting enough pressure on it to cause slip, or premaure wear - so be careful not to do it again!

[Frogman]

Que lastima no estoy disponible, sería u placer a ayudar, lastimosamente estoy atrapado en América sur, probablemente hacia el fin del año!

Cambiando el embrague no es difícil con sentido común, el consejo que dicen los muchachos antes es muy buena, cambiando el fly wheel es muy buen idea.

Suerte amigo.

[rj]

I agree,

You may not need the spigot bearing, but one in ten times you do - big time.

Is saving £5 worth being stuck in Spain witout it?

[Geoff Brown]

DIY clutch centreing tool - near to correct diameter spindle of wood then build up with black tape to fit respective diameters. 

Just engine out, gear box can stay in supported on wooden blocks or spare jack. K series is a relatively easy job unlike Sigma or Duratec as not so much in the engine bay that needs to be removed before engine extraction. K series is not such a tight fit.

BUT one must be prepared!

[paisesmediterraneos]

Thank you for all the advices, really appreciated.

I'm very happy, I found a club member who accepted the proposition, so the Caterham will be in good hands for the clutch surgery.

Thank you again.

[Wrightpayne]

If you're ordering a spigot then you'll need the special sleeve too.

Like this - Redline will have these too...

https://caterhamparts.co.uk/internal-parts/2440-spacer-sleeve-spigot-bearing-rover.html?search_query=Sleeve&results=17

Ian