Engine back in, sounds great but no clutch

Hit up Plugzit, he is rebuilding one, or just finished the rebuild. I think he got a kit from Ferrparts??

 

Kit came from GT Car Parts in Phoenix, but doesn't include the plastic L. There's a complete cyl on ebay for $100. I hate bleeding 348 clutches.

 

In my quest for a lighter 348 I took off the hose that ran down the bellhouse. Since I ran a challenge pipe I had access to the top of the gearbox where the metal hose came out and down the side of the bellhouse. The bleed nipple fits and seals right on the top of the gearbox and the metal hose can be deleted and saves a few ounces. Bleeding was made easier too. personally I never have trouble bleeding 348's but I know how to sweet talk them real nice.

 

yes. When you severe the connection for the clutch did the residual pressure valve keep the fluid from leaking or is that trash and you let all the fluid out, I.E. did you let lots of air in?

When this valve is working properly the problem is guys will reconnect and have a hard pedal then bleed the clutch only partly and later you loose a clutch when the air bubble moves down the line. This is more typically the problem vs. no pedal like you. It is a long way from the leak break to the bleed nipple. Also the bleed nipple design is too corse a thread and it sucks air. To bleed it just crack it like 1/8 turn. You can feel that nipple wobble in the threads with just 1/4 turn and you suck back air. If you do as I say and delete the BH sidepipe you will have less problem forcing the air down the pipe when it gravity wants it to find the highest point. That is why unless you know the "trick" you are best off raising the rear end of the car about 1.5Ft then bleed because this position puts the sir in a better place to be bleed relative to the air space in the throwout bearing chamber between the two seals.

Did you replace the T/O bearing too?

Do you know how to prime the clutch master if you have let air in there. Remember that when bleeding the brakes if you don't fill the reservoir you pump air into the clutch master because the inlet tube on the reservoir is higher and people think they have plenty of fluid but really do not. Go look at reservoir and you will see what I mean, I.E. did YOU pump air in there because of this?

 

I've tried a vacuum bleeder on my 355 and switched to a pressure bleeder. You don't run into the coarse thread, sucking air, issue on the bleeder nipple and you don't accidently run out of fluid in the reservoir when you're in back bleeding the system. Very easy and fast!

Rick . . . .

http://store.motiveproducts.com/bleeders-c15.aspx

 

Well done! Now lets see those pics!

DF

 

Great to hear an inexpensive happy ending.

 

Good job Dave.