My Mcleod RST Install

[Avgasman]

This thread is actually for the benefit of Tyler at ATS as well as myself. It seems we might both have a better understanding of some slightly less then stellar instructions provided by the manufacturer.

As far as the instructions go, the only key part that they cover is that the large arch in the pressure plate must be placed over the "floater straps and rivets" Notice that the pressure plate is not torqued all the way down in this photo. You can see that the space between the floater's rivet and the pressure plates rivet is very tight. If you were to move the pressure plate over one bolt hole you'd placed the shallow archway on top of the floater rivet which could keep the floater ring from releasing entirely.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3024/3042992184_5740d82689.jpg

These are the pressure plate's bolt, washer, and shouldered washer. Apparently the shouldered washer was added into the RST kits about 6-9 months ago, they are not shown on the current instructions. There's a recess on the floater's pressure plate attachment point that uses the shouldered washer to align the pressure plate on the floater.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3149/3042151361_f95631761c.jpg
Sorry for the blurry pic, I think you can see the recess in the floater's stanchion.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3066/3042996946_71a840714e.jpg

Here you can see how much the shouldered washer protrudes through the pressure plate. Again, this isn't tightened down.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3216/3042995558_050d8d543c.jpg

So those are the details, I hope this helps someone.

[James OLC]

Thanks for posting this Dan. Tyler and I were talking about this on Tuesday and it sounds like it is possible that McLeod may have shipped some earlier RST clutches without the shouldered washers (ask me why I think that is important). Frustratingly, McLeods telephone customer service has been (in my experience, yours may vary) just slightly better than no help at all (if that).

A question Dan, did your alingnment tool that came with the clutch fit your pilot bearing properly?

Again, thanks for posting the pics.

James

[Avgasman]

A question Dan, did your alingnment tool that came with the clutch fit your pilot bearing properly?



James,

You've heard it many times before but, OLC is just an awesome car.

No, the alignment tool was too big for the pilot bearing, I had to modify it to get it to work.

The tech guy I talked to at McLeod wasn't too clear with me the first time I called in- I had a slightly different answer on the second call regarding the placement of those shouldered washers.

[James OLC]

James,

You've heard it many times before but, OLC is just an awesome car.

No, the alignment tool was too big for the pilot bearing, I had to modify it to get it to work.

The tech guy I talked to at McLeod wasn't too clear with me the first time I called in- I had a slightly different answer on the second call regarding the placement of those shouldered washers.

Thanks Dan,

I don't understand how McLeod (B&M) can be so out of touch with some of their stuff - like an aligment tool for an LSx clutch that doesn't fit the LSx pilot bearing or imperial installation hardware shipping with an LSx bellhousing.

We're going to call McLeod back today and see if I get a better response than what I got yesterday which was "you don't need the shoulder washers - if you did we would have sent them" and "your clutch is fine - if it upshifts ok it has to downshift ok, you have a synchro problem, thanks for calling..."

My issues aside, thanks again for bringing this to everyone's attention.

[Flash68]

Thanks for posting this Dan. Tyler and I were talking about this on Tuesday and it sounds like it is possible that McLeod may have shipped some earlier RST clutches without the shouldered washers (ask me why I think that is important). Frustratingly, McLeods telephone customer service has been (in my experience, yours may vary) just slightly better than no help at all (if that).

A question Dan, did your alingnment tool that came with the clutch fit your pilot bearing properly?

Again, thanks for posting the pics.

James

I have this clutch and now am a little concerned. When you say "earlier" clutches, do you know when this was? I think mine might have been one of the earlier versions.... ?

Thanks for posting this.

[Avgasman]

I have this clutch and now am a little concerned. When you say "earlier" clutches, do you know when this was? I think mine might have been one of the earlier versions.... ?

From my second conversation with Mcleod's tech person it seems that sometime 6 to 9 months ago McLeoud added the shouldered washers. I don't know if the older cluch kits require it or not. I'm sure James and Tyler will know soon.