Clutch, caliper bolts, and...errrr...anything else

[DavidC]

Hi,

Whilst I'm quite happy with my knowledge of most areas of cars, clutches have always remained a bit of a mystery to me. Hence tonight I'm looking at the bits the Westfield supplied me with a little bit of confusion.

I've gone the VX + Type 9 route, and when I ordered my bits I was told that the bellhousing kit and clutchplate would contain everything I need to mate the T9 to the XE.

Well on collection I was given a part number for a clutch arm that I had to order from Ford...fair enough.

Now I've come to look at the parts I've got and I'm wondering if there's something else I need.

Clearly I have a bellhousing, a splined clutch plate and a decent selection of bolts and bearings. I'm guessing that I'm missing a clutch cover cos I can't see how what I do have would attatch to the flywheel.

What do I need, and how much should I expect to pay.

Also, should my starter kit have come with the 4 rear caliper bolts (M10 x 45)?

Also, if anyone could post online or email me photos of their XE engine mounts, just to clear something up in my 'ed.

I think that's most of my current questions, I've got everything else apart from the interior bits'n'bobs like seats, harnesses, dials and switches. Ooh, on the note of harnesses, does anyone know where I can get the Safety Devices 4/5/6 point jobbies with the road and race legal twist buckle. I saw them in a prototype vehicle at work yesterday and have been looking for some since (believe me, that would sounds ever more sad if you know what car I saw it in)

Cheers

DC

[DavidC]

Ah, to add to that, there seem to be random bolts missing. The first one's I'm struggling to find are the 3 M8x55s for the Pedals....not really a good start.

Even more confusing is that the list-sheet of bolts included with the basic kit doesn't even mention these bolts yet they're definitely needed.

[Blatman]

David

Are you doing thi stage of your build in North London/Herts somewhere? If so, I'll waz up in the Green Meenie, and you can have a butchers........

In fact, I'll PM you my phone number..........

[whizzingalong]

I picked up my kit a couple of weeks ago, I didn't get the pedal bolts either but they posted them to me the next day after a call to the factory.

[DavidC]

I'll call the factory on Monday, get the pdeal bolts and caliper bolts posted out. As yet those are all I've found to be missing...but let's be honest, they all look the same right now.

[Guest]

The main problem I found with the starter kit (as opposed to the modular route) was that I was never sure which bolts were supposed to be supplied. Most of the time, all the bolts were present but sometimes they were missing (pedals, rear calipers,....). On asking at the factory they always sent them down but sometimes you need 'em now.

Best advice I can give is to find a decent hardware shop that supplies good quality bolts in any quantity. I found an agricultural shop nearby that has boxes of every size of bolt/nut/washer etc and sells 'em one-at-time

Good luck,

- Dan

[DavidC]

Heh, cheers. I've just popped out and got myself a complete new Astra GTE clutch for £60. I've got the sierra plate from Westfield, so I'm sure I can sell the VX plate to someone on Migweb who nees one.

Not too shabby I reckon. Gonna take the driveshafts and lobros into the same place tomorrow and make sure I get the correct boots.

Is the starter kit supposed to come with a Clutch Master Cylinder? There's definitely not one in my kit and it's definitely in the Build Manual

DC

[Guest]

Is the starter kit supposed to come with a Clutch Master Cylinder?

I got one, though I was missing a clutch cable, which was promptly handed over after asking

[Nick M]

Errr, if you have a clutch master cylinder (implying hydraulic clutch actuation) then why would you need a cable (mechanical) ??

Also, if Westfield are telling you to get a clutch release arm from Ford (I'm guessing it's a Granada one) then I doubt you'd be looking for a master cylinder as the release arm is for a cable operated clutch.

[hilux]

David

Sorry you didnt make it Sunday.

The offer still stands, pop in if you can. If not then my engines still out. If you or anyone wants photos etc of bell housing/engine/pedalbox etc etc re VX engined westy please shout.

Regards

Paul  

[Guest]

  duh!   must have been in read-what-I-think not read-what-is-written mode and saw brake....

[DavidC]

I phoned them, asked if I was supposed to have a clutch cable and the answer was yes.

"I'll have one of those then, and some caliper bolts and washers, and those pedal bolts too please".

They should arrive tomorrow.

I'll have a good check on the weekend to see what/if anything else is missing.

DC

[neilwillis]

Plenty yet, I'm sure of that David.    

How is it all going so far?

[DavidC]

Well, being 100 miles away from the kit means I'm not doing much at the moment  

I'm gonna go back to London this weekend, and I've got 2 weeks off work dedicated to building this car.

Then a week after that 14 day-marathon build the plan is to trailer the kit (hopefully a rolling chassis with drivetrain 'mounted' in place. Then I've got a double-garage up here that I can use until September, and a lot of other engineers that I know who can help me get it running.

I'll post updates on the build all next week.

DC

[Guest]

...14 day-marathon build the plan is to trailer the kit (hopefully a rolling chassis with drivetrain 'mounted'...

Funny, I had exactly the same plan: take 2 weeks off work to get a rolling chassis......ended up with most ally panels fixed, front & lower rear wishbones and some brake pipes! A far cry from expected    Remeber: your overconfidence is your weakness  

Good luck.