Rear Main Seal Leak - Vote Now!

[ChimpOnGas]

Pupp said:

Why would it overheat? Unless slipping/being slipped...

Not slipping... but I strongly suspect there has been some dragging going on when hot, it definitely seemed to be thermal expansion related as it only tended happen when everything became heat soaked.

When dragging, popping the box into gear became a bit baulky, I also occasionally got a grumbling noise that accompanied the issue which I'd assumed could have been the release bearing loading up the fingers slightly and spinning the bearing, even though I wasn't even touching the clutch pedal. The bearing was definitely a little noisy even in normal operation, but obviously it'll be getting new one with the clutch job.

If the above theory is correct its very possible the ends of the fingers have become blued where the bearing had been running on them, I've seen this before but its hard to say conclusively this is whats been happening in this case as I've not seen my old Helix parts yet.

I carefully checked the free play a few times and it was fine but admittedly all my free play checks were done when cold, my guess is if I'd checked it when everything was proper hot and expanded I would have found a slight free play issue, but it is a guess.

At the end of the day all I can do is relay the information I received today which reported some evidence of heat issues on the cover plate, it could just as easily have been some bluing on the working face that interacts with the driven plate?

Saying that apparently the flywheel face wasn't blued at all and like I say the Helix never slipped one bit, in fact I suspect the damn thing would have lasted for years & years which is why I finally decided waiting for the onset of slip wasn't really an option.

None of the above ever amounted to a serious issue, the Helix was heavy but not intolerably so and the dragging (if that indeed is what it was) was only ever slight. But the condition did get on my nerves and on occasion interfered with my full enjoyment of the car.

All I'm really seeking here is a nice light clutch and the super slick gear shift I know a good T5 gearbox can deliver, surely its not much to ask?

As we all know, fixing the leaky rear main seal was always a no-brainer..;)

But it's good to talk it over with the gang...

[Pupp]

Fairy nuff - what crucifix seals did you decide on? The Turner Engineering listed type appear to be the 'old' style solid ones that I had thought were replaced by the ribbed sort (oo'er). Suppose there might be quality and dimensional variation even within types?

If you find a double lipped rear crank seal, I'd be interested too!

[phazed]

Pupp said:

Fairy nuff - what crucifix seals did you decide on? The Turner Engineering listed type appear to be the 'old' style solid ones that I had thought were replaced by the ribbed sort (oo'er). Suppose there might be quality and dimensional variation even within types?

If you find a double lipped rear crank seal, I'd be interested too!

Turner alerted me to the dodgy ones.

Their supplier of their seals failed to realise that their supplier had changed manufacturer and Turners had a few engines back to rectify..

Of course, what they supply now is the real McCoy!

[Sardonicus]

All you need and more http://www.v8tuner.co.uk/product.php?id=840

[MPoxon]

Option 1 for me as well. My car is currently in with David Batty having very similar work to yours based on your s10 thread. I have opted for almost the same mods as yourself, having a replacement standard AP 5.0 clutch fitted (supplied by TVR Power), S10 gearbox conversion with bronze shift cup, bronze pads and Hurst quick shift. I am having my rear main oil seal replaced at the same time but mine is leaking a lot...

The missis loses her st whenever I go out in the car and she sees the driveway which we only just got done.... ...

[Pupp]

Wow, mine's not too bad at all then

And my Celtic blood won't allow me to buy a gasket set I only need two measly bits out of

[ChimpOnGas]

MPoxon said:

Option 1 for me as well. My car is currently in with David Batty having very similar work to yours based on your s10 thread. I have opted for almost the same mods as yourself, having a replacement standard AP 5.0 clutch fitted (supplied by TVR Power), S10 gearbox conversion with bronze shift cup, bronze pads and Hurst quick shift. I am having my rear main oil seal replaced at the same time but mine is leaking a lot...

The missis loses her st whenever I go out in the car and she sees the driveway which we only just got done.... ...

That is shocking!! The anoying thing is I just resealed the sump and it wasn't leaking a drop.

Seems like a few have followed suit since I started my gear linkage delete post so I hope everyone is getting good results from it?

Especially as I won't find out if the idea has merit myself until next week.

Some have reported good results already but I prefer to test these things for myself.

Give me a week and the results will be in, I'll try and be 100% honest with my review.

Dave.