Transmission Killer

Maintenance advice to keep your Spider in shape.
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leeputmanjr

Transmission Killer

Post by leeputmanjr »

My recently ressurected '74 "Beast" Spider has an issue unlike any I've heard of before.

Driving along fine (at a hair-on-fire-pace), had to come to a very abrupt stop, jammed the brakes, and afterwards, I couln't put it in gear. I might have also jammed the clutch too hard, not sure. Turned the car off, put it in first, and started it to at least move out of the intersection. Brief, strong smell of burning rubber. Initially, I thought I'd lost my clutch cable.

It moved about 100 yards when it began acting like the clutch was slipping, the more the engine reved, the less she moved.

I was able to put the car in gear at this point, but with zero "motive power".

Upon inspection, guibo is fine, clutch cable is fine, clutch arm travel seems fine, pedal seems normal, maybe a tad light, but that 'could' be my imagination.

What the heck did I do? Is it possible to jam the throw-out bearing into the fingers of the pressure plate? If so - permanent damage? How to fix? What else could it be?
racydave

Re: Transmission Killer

Post by racydave »

First off, get your furnace repaired!!! :roll:
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manoa matt
Posts: 3442
Joined: Thu Oct 26, 2006 4:28 pm
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat 124 Spider 1800
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii

Re: Transmission Killer

Post by manoa matt »

Did you downshift or over-rev the engine when you made that sudden stop? A high reverse load on the clutch will buckle the drive straps on the clutch cover plate.

If you crawl under the car, remove the inspection/dust rubber cover on the clutch throwout arm you will be able to see the clutch cover, the finger springs and the throwout bearing.
So Cal Mark

Re: Transmission Killer

Post by So Cal Mark »

sounds like you need one of my new high-performance clutch sets. The pressure plate will have an added strap to prevent buckling as Matt described along with other performance mods
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maytag
Posts: 1789
Joined: Mon Oct 19, 2009 9:22 pm
Your car is a: 1976 124 spider
Location: Rocky Mountains....UTAH! (Not Colorado)

Re: Transmission Killer

Post by maytag »

okay... I'll bite: WHAT (or WHO) the HECK is a "Guibo?"
leeputmanjr wrote: Upon inspection, guibo is fine, clutch cable is fine, clutch arm travel seems fine, pedal seems normal, maybe a tad light, but that 'could' be my imagination.
I'm no Boy-Racer..... but if I can't take every on-ramp at TWICE the posted limit.... I'm a total failure!
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manoa matt
Posts: 3442
Joined: Thu Oct 26, 2006 4:28 pm
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat 124 Spider 1800
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii

Re: Transmission Killer

Post by manoa matt »

Sorry to hijack Lee, but Mark do tell about the clutch. Is this from the SEMA show? I'm looking for an uprated clutch for an engine I'm building. Maybe start a new thread in the performance section. Pictures, Prices??

Maytag, Guibo is the rubber "doughnut" that links the transmission output shaft to the driveshaft. (6 bolts) If you don't know what it is, or when it was last replaced, get a new one $20 is cheap insurance against a larger lumpier trans tunnel.
So Cal Mark

Re: Transmission Killer

Post by So Cal Mark »

Matt
I'm supposed to get the first clutch on Friday. I'll definitely post pics and info as soon as it arrives.
Newell33

Re: Transmission Killer

Post by Newell33 »

Will the clutch be more of a racing style "limited slip" clutch, or will it be suitable for everyday driving?

Thanks,
Josh
So Cal Mark

Re: Transmission Killer

Post by So Cal Mark »

it will be a street performance clutch, suitable for everyday driving, designed for cars with increased hp. It's a low-cost alternative to a racing clutch. Racing clutches will be available also in the near future.
mbouse

Re: Transmission Killer

Post by mbouse »

maytag wrote:okay... I'll bite: WHAT (or WHO) the HECK is a "Guibo?"
Here's a picture of Guibo, working on my car right before FFO 2008:
Image
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engineerted
Posts: 531
Joined: Tue Feb 21, 2006 9:57 pm
Your car is a: 1974 124 spider
Location: Farmington Hills, MI

Re: Transmission Killer

Post by engineerted »

Hot dam Mark! Racing clutch? Where do i sign up to be you beta tester? Will it come with an ulta ligt flywheel from Jason Miller? Keep us posted.

Ted
Ted
1978 124 Spider, Complete Restoration
1974 Fiat 124 F Production Race car
mbouse

Re: Transmission Killer

Post by mbouse »

Ted,

you were sorely missed at pick-a-part. or was that sourly missed? i can never tell... :mrgreen:

Mr. Putman wisely chose to grab the tranny from the parts car as he packed his toys for the day. I think he now has a great winter project ahead of him.
So Cal Mark

Re: Transmission Killer

Post by So Cal Mark »

we can do an aluminum flywheel, but the mfg is discouraging me from offering it for anything other than race purposes.
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engineerted
Posts: 531
Joined: Tue Feb 21, 2006 9:57 pm
Your car is a: 1974 124 spider
Location: Farmington Hills, MI

Re: Transmission Killer

Post by engineerted »

Sorry Mike, could not make it, was traveling over to see my parents in good old Rockford. Did you get that windshield changed out?

Ted
Ted
1978 124 Spider, Complete Restoration
1974 Fiat 124 F Production Race car
mdrburchette
Posts: 5754
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 5:49 am
Your car is a: 1972 Fiat 124 Sport
Location: Winston-Salem, NC

Re: Transmission Killer

Post by mdrburchette »

Ted, you need to get with Jim Scurria on the clutch setup he's using if you're looking for a true race clutch. I promise you'll love the extra torque!
1972 124 Spider (Don)
1971 124 Spider (Juan)
1986 Bertone X19 (Blue)
1978 124 Spider Lemons racer
1974 X19 SCCA racer (Paul)
2012 500 Prima Edizione #19 (Mini Rossa)
Ever changing count of parts cars....It's a disease!
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