Rootes1725cc

More problems with the very poor services of Coltech Racing Garage, Hollesley.

Since getting my car back, there have been a multitude of problems, that were not there before Coltech Racing got their shitty little hands on it.
The bonnet won't shut properly, they broke the handbrake, the heater didn't work (it needed bleeding), one of the air filters fell off, and I lost an extended auxiliary venturi from the carb, the rain cover I had left with them has tears, and holes all of it.

The latest (after only 200 miles - it took 170 miles to drive back from Coltech) is the clutch!!
It is making a whining sound when I depress it fully to the floor, to engage the gears?

I've spent all morning and afternoon trying to sort it out, but when I depress the pedal to the floor, right at the bottom, I get this revolving whining sound (click the attached link to download video of me pressing the clutch so you can hear the sound).
https://www.mediafire.com/?qoyogcnmocfnaf2
or you can watch it sideways online with this link
http://www.mediafire.com/watch/qoyogcnm ... G_0077.MOV

I've checked, and re-bled the fluid, (thinking perhaps it was losing pressure through trapped air)
Then I began adjusting the clutch to make it tighter with a firmer pedal.
I re-started the car, but it would grind louder.
The firmer I made it, the higher up the the sound would start as I depressed the pedal.
So I slackened it off, until I finally got to point where there was no sound with the pedal slammed on the floor.... but now it wouldn't go into gear!
The clutch was also so weak that there wasn't even any resistance for the top 30% of the pedal.

So I'm at the same place I was when I started.

I'm thinking either it's been misaligned or the plate has been put back the wrong way round, or there is something wrong with the thrust bearing.
The clutch plate, thrust bearing, and cover were all newly fitted, and woRking perfectly prior to taking it to the garage.

Does anyone know what the problem is?

I didn't listen to the recording, but whining is typically a thrust bearing on its way out. No amount of adjustment will resolve it. Could be the additional power has just ended its life. Looks like a weekend under the car.

Presumably it is a Holbay clutch, right? In which case it needs a different release bearing- not sure what happens if you fit the standard one, maybe related though. They do take a while to bed in in the other hand, so maybe try and live with it for a while ( my Hunter one was very squeaky for a good 1000 miles I'd say). Ps could not see vid to check out how bad yours is, if it is a grinding sound, probably will need looking at.

Hi guys,
thanks for responding.
The thrust bearing, plate and cover were fitted brand new (from Speedy), some three months prior to it being handed over to the garage.
I had no problems with it, except that on depressing the pedal, the revs would drop slightly.
I was hoping there is a conversion kit, that actually has bearings in the thrust bearing, but apparently only the MK1 has this - according to Paul at Speedy.
Does anyone know otherwise - IS THERE A CONVERSION KIT WITH ACTUAL BALL BEARINGS IN THE THRUST BEARING?

It also uses all the standard/original parts for a MK2 - the clutch set-up, the engine block, flywheel etc.
Only the pistons, cam shaft (original ground to fast-road specs), flywheel (lightened and balanced), and distributor have been altered.

Weird thing is I tentatively drove it at the weekend, and it doesn't squeak and grind.
Do you know if heat or damage to one of the fingers could add to it?

Here is the video on Facebook.
I'm not sure whether you'll be able to view it without actually joining the group though.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/rootesg ... ery=clutch

they do need bedding in slowly, so a couple of long runs won;t do it any favours to start with. Might be worth being patient with it a bit more...easy to talk though, especially if it is a bit more major..

I have seen roller ones - they were on eb*y, under Sunbeam Alpine at one point I think. But risky to know if they have been tested for durability and don;t have their own noise vibration issues. I didn;t fancy having to take the gearbox off again if it didn;t work out.