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During January / February BEX333 had a major Service, Check and rebuild Gearbox, Fit new MGB Clutch Cover, Borg & Beck Graphite release bearing / AP centre plate, Fit J type over drive unit, check Differential and install a Quaiff Limited Slip unit
Having covered just 986.5 miles in readiness for Le Mans Classic and another 60,000 miles of enjoyable ..
AC Motoring.
On Sunday 24th July, Stuck in heavy traffic covering 1.2 miles in 70 minutes trying to get into the Bicester Heritage / Classic & Sports Car Show.
The Clutch Failed, Couldn't get into any gear, Thank fully inside showground, carried out obvious visual inspection, Clutch Master cylinder level correct. Pedal travel & return all Ok. and the slave cylinder operating correctly , However really excessive movement ( adjustment ) to engage and disengage clutch.
Sunday evening arrived at Tony Byford's workshop courtesy of the RAC, quick inspection indicated the Carbon / Graphite release bearing had broken .
Monday removed the gearbox to find the Carbon / Graphite had come free polished the metal cup / carrier and broken into many pieces and dust
so called Borg & Beck Release Bearing bought by Tony Byford in good faith was definitely not a genuine Borg & Beck unit, Having no casting name or part number.
I DO NOT ride the clutch and everything was set up correctly by Tony, I can only assume the adhesive / bonding agent securing the carbon - Graphite into
the metal carrier had failed and excessive heat generated by graphite revolving against the face of the cluctch cover and inside the carrier caused the carbon Graphite to break up.
Hours spent cleaning carbon - Graphite from inside Bell housing, Flywheel , Starter Ring , Starter Bendix etc etc, fitted my old 60.000mile Borg & Beck Release bearing still has lots of plenty of material.
Hopefully up and running for weekend then off to Le Mans Classic 5th July. Bloody Hell that's next week.
Has Any one else experienced this type of Failure ?? Is it Cheap inferior 3rd world copy masquerading as Quality Borg & Beck product. .??
Suggest one always checks for correct trade marks and casting numbers. ... Expensive Exercise
Picture or two too follow.
Keith.