I will be doing my clutch next weekend and have read how to do it on http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/clutch_install.html

He says to use a "big #ss" screwdriver to separate the clutch cover from the throw-out bearing. How big is "big #ss"? Would a 8" be long enough or is he referring to a nice thick screwdriver to get good leverage?

Thanks!

 

I don't think 8" is long enough, you're going to need probably a 12" or bigger because they count the handle as part of the measurement

 

I just changed my clutch out last month, and I used my 5/16 x 8 in flathead screwdriver for both separating the throwout bearing and for holding the driveshaft in place to break it's bolts loose.

Also, make sure you have some eye protection and a drop light. The drop light is the only way you'll be able to see the throwout bearing through the pilot port. The eye protection saved me numerous times as I was basically coated in rust and grease/organic material from the clutch once I got it apart.

Take it from me, a trip to the emergency room with rusty metal lodged in your eye is no fun. They literally dig the metal out of your eye with forceps/scalpel, rinse it with saline, patch you up for 3-4 days, and give you buckets of antibiotics and a tetanus shot for good measure. Not fun at all.

Good luck.

 

I got goosebumps....well we all know whose getting goggles this weekend

 

I can almost hear Radioactive man/ Ranier/Wolfcastle "aghh, my eyes, the goggles do nothing!"

Goggles might be excessive and get really annoying when they fog up every 5 min.

I just use a $5 set of uvex shop glasses now. You ought to be able to find them at Ace, or Lowes. After awhile you just forget that they're on your face.

 

Thanks for the info! I will look into getting a bigger screwdriver.

I have had 2 trips to the emergency room for metal in lodged in my eye and I am not planning another trip.

 

Can you resurface a Pressure Plate?

 

I'm pretty sure you can reuse the pressure plate provided it is still within spec. The shop manual has you lay a straight edge across the pressure plate and measure the gap with a feeler gauge.

My pressure plate was fine, and I looked into just replacing my friction disk, as it was worn down to the rivets. Once I got in there I realized it was a big enough pain in the *** that I didn't want to repeat it any time soon, so I went ahead and ordered my ACT Extreme w/ street disk setup. I'm glad I did. I went ahead and replaced the throwout bearing and the release fork while I was in there. I didn't have access to the SST for the pilot bearing, so I just lubed it up real well and kept the old one in there.

The new clutch is awesome. Much stiffer (like a performance clutch should be IMHO), and not a hint of slipping at any RPM. Money well spent in my eyes. If you're on a tight budget you can just keep the pieces that are within the shop manual's specs.