Orange Clutch Oil Seal

[GarysMK1]

Hi,
Has anyone on here changed a clutch oil seal with the engine in situ. ? 1960 850 .
Dont really want to remove engine if possible

[850man]

Yes, I have done it hundreds of times.

Undo the clutch end engine mount, raise up the engine, remove cover, flywheel,

Just flick the old seal out with a flat blade screwdriver and fit a new seal.

Easy.

[gs.davies]

Yes I’ve done it in situ on a 1961 car in the freezing cold depths of winter by the side of the road. A couple of times..

Easier with the Churchill tool to pull it out and refit it - used to be able to hire it from the motor spares shop back in the day.

[olddave]

Just be careful putting the new seal in. Years ago 3rd time lucky as the first two got slightly torn causing the seal to leak.

Lesson learnt

[AndyB72]

Just keep and eye on the fan/radiator at the other end of the engine.

[GarysMK1]

850man." Just flick the old seal out with a flat blade screwdriver and fit a new seal. " No way ! My seal is in good and proper. Been on 3/4 hour and still in. One of those " walk away" jobbys . Tips on how to remove welcome

[johnv]

yes, flicking not an option. Have you tried the self tapping screw method? But the tool does look fairly easy to make

[Spider]

I made my own Primary Gear Puller about 35 odd years ago. Pulling the Primary Gear will also take the Oil Seal out with out without risk of scoring the housing (after which, it will forever leak), so I'd suggest being careful just how the seal is removed. I wouldn't recommend screwing in self tappers or using screw drivers etc.

Sorry, I don't have a file photo of it on this PC, but it's not a complicated tool to make, needing only a hole saw, angle grinder and welder to make one.

I'll put up a pic when I get in the office.

In regards to seals, I've found the Mini Spares own types to be quite good. The Payen ones can be hit and miss, and while the Black MPI types seal better, they also wear the Primary Gear.

<Edit:- Primary Gear Puller. This uses the plug from the Flywheel Puller in the end of the Crank to press against.

[850man]

I made my own Primary Gear Puller about 35 odd years ago. Pulling the Primary Gear will also take the Oil Seal out with out without risk of scoring the housing (after which, it will forever leak), so I'd suggest being careful just how the seal is removed. I wouldn't recommend screwing in self tappers or using screw drivers etc.

Sorry, I don't have a file photo of it on this PC, but it's not a complicated tool to make, needing only a hole saw, angle grinder and welder to make one.

I'll put up a pic when I get in the office.

In regards to seals, I've found the Mini Spares own types to be quite good. The Payen ones can be hit and miss, and while the Black MPI types seal better, they also wear the Primary Gear.

<Edit:- Primary Gear Puller. This uses the plug from the Flywheel Puller in the end of the Crank to press against.

Pulling the primary gear out is unnecessary to simply change a seal, and can often damage the transfer housing as not all housings are machined all the way through. They often have a lip on the inside that the primary gear gets caught on and your little home made puller ends up breaking the case.
Changing a primary seal is a very simple task, and in the hundreds I have done over the years, I have never damaged a housing by using a screwdriver ro remove the seal.
I guess being a qualified Mini specialist mechanic helps, rather than a cable puller.

[swifty]

Yet another dig at spider from 850man . ... ken

[rolesyboy]

“ I guess being a qualified Mini specialist mechanic helps, rather than a cable puller...”
Cor!! That is a spiky comment. If I’d written that I’d want to retract it double quick for fear of looking like a ‘know it all’ ass.

[spoon.450]

This personal issue needs to be put aside. Both make valuable contributions to the forum. Mark won’t put up with this bickering for long.

[rolesyboy]

Agreed. Moderate and pull it

[bwaminispeed]

Yeah, thought it was a bit harsh myself.......

[Southwest]

Unnecessary bitching

[Spider]

Something I've missed from the self appointed expert ?

It's on my ignore list, so I don't see his rubbish.

But from the above comments, it appears it's maintaining it's status quo and pissing off the forum,,,,

[850man]

Just stating facts, I don't have to make things up.

[lomin]

Hi, I think most mini jobs have a minimum of two ways and often over 10 ways of achieving the same end result. I have owned 2 successful mini businesses in Australia, and appreciate forums like this where people come out with alternative ideas .They should always be encouraged.Sometimes they may not be perfect answers, but they lead the intelligent person to experiment with ideas.l learn from what others have to say, and run with the best bits, and sometimes even "the experienced mini mechanics" might learn something. There is never one way.
For myself I now work with long duration ignition systems, and I wish I had this brilliant technology available years ago.
But I do find resistance to the concept from people who cannot understand or believe in alternative thinking.
Often fear of the new is the resistance.
Do not go at the idea person on a forum, you will only look like you don't have the capacity to learn.
cheers Lindsay Siebler

[GarysMK1]

Job done ! Thanks for all the input gents. Think " lomin" entry sums it up on here. Most of the members are clued up , but sometimes, just a little idea from someone else is enough to get the grey matter working and the job done !!

[johnv]

Job done ! Thanks for all the input gents. Think " lomin" entry sums it up on here. Most of the members are clued up , but sometimes, just a little idea from someone else is enough to get the grey matter working and the job done !!

how did you do it in the end? (got this job coming up ...)