VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Clutch Throwout insert

Hi guys,

My throw out carbon insert worn out. I ordered the throwout conversion unit from Jerry fillingstation.
A local film company want to use Emma for a film shoot but Im afraid the part will not reach me in time.

Question, is there a tempory fix I can do untill the part arrive? I was thinking of a "off the shelf" bearing which I can put between the clutch throwout sleeve and the throwout bearing.
In other word, instead of the carbon insert to insert a bearing.

So when one push clutch the throuwout bearing will push the new bearing against the throwout sleave to engage the clutch.

This will only be a tempory fix.

Any other thoughts or what would you guys suggest.

Regards

Awie

There is a throw out bearing assembly that actually uses a bearing instead of the carbon insert. I have one on my 1930 Chevy. Mine is a new old replacement stock aftermarket unit that was made about 70 years ago. As I remember, someone was reproducing this unit several years ago but at present I don't know who it was or if the bearing unit is still being made.

Would it be possible to use a mechanical throwout bearing from another vehicle which I can purchase over the counter easy.

This will be a temorary fix until the unit rrive from fillingstation.

I want to go and hunt for a throwout bearing but dont know if it will work, your advice...

It all depends on the application for which vehicles the throwout bearing will fit on.

Hi Oukar
If you have the clamp type retainer that uses the carbon bearing donut and seeing that you are located in South Africa, I would make a new one out of hard wood like oak or ash and then soak it in engine oil. I think this would work for a while until you get your conversion bearing from the Filling Station. The original carbon donut is around 7/16 - 1/2 inch thick. If you have the one piece throw out bearing with the carbon pressed into the cast iron housing, you could also make one out of hard wood and then press it back in the housing.
Regard Bob@marxparts

Good suggestion Bob. One ATTABOY for you. Naw, 10 ATTABOYS.

That made me think that he could make one out of bushing grade Nylon or Delrin plastic as well

I like the idea of the wood as it will absorb lubricant while the Delrin or nylon will not. My concern would be heat buildup on the Delrin and nylon.

Two harder types of timber to use that would have a longer working like would be either lignum vitae,or ebony.They'd probably withstand both the friction generated when pushing against the "chilled cast iron"(a hardening process for cast iron)throwout collar bearing face,as well as the pressure being exerted when the clutch is being released.
Lignum vitae is an exceptionally hard timber that's still used as boat propellor shaft support bearings.

Guess you might not know that bushing grade nylon and delrin are commonly used for bushings including those with a reasonable pressure and speed.

I am familiar with their use with high weight loads and pressure such as the heavy truck industry uses. Suspensions and brake camshaft bushings etc. but examples of "reasonable" high speed and pressure would be great. Always willing to learn and that's what's great about this site.

Thank you guys, guess I have a wood project coming up

I had a similar need for a graphite throwout NOW and rummaged through my shop looking for an answer. Spotted a 1997 Chevy S-10 throwout bearing. About the same thickness as the original and exact same diameter. So I tack welded the bearing to the throwout pad using my MIG welder at low amps. Figured that when the graphite piece showed up I would pull it back apart grind off the tack welds and back, back, back to "original". That was over 500 miles and six years ago--- the graphite still sits in a box on the shelf. The S-10 bearing was sealed type and my creaky old body figures its good as gold.
Perhaps a hardwood insert will also do the job but I don't believe it
Dan