Attached is a few photos of my recently acquired 17" model 45. I bought this along with a model 33 for $80. Fired it up today after some carby cleaner and a minor cutter clutch adjustment.
There is however a problem with the Primary clutch - it appears to engage all by itself, after the engine has been running for 10 seconds or so, the cutter just engages. The thrust pad does appear quite worn out. Could that cause this ? Should I pull the engine and clutch off for a look or keep trying to adjust ?
Well it seems you are up for another clutch assembly, but only this time your clutch cone is also flogged out as well along with the thrust pad. This has come about from poor clutch adjustment and also it is visible that the complete assembly should be closer to the actual engine. There should be around 3 to 4mm between the two items and also a fibre washer between the brass thrust pad and clutch cone. (The later Plastic pads don't use the washer)
This is going to be an expensive one to solve as the cone normally stays with the machine and replacements are not available. You're going to have to source one from a defunct machine that is non salvageable, but honestly unless the chassis is totally rust gutted or bent due to a mishap they are all re-buildable and no one wrecks these thing like Automotive Wreckers do.
Cheers, BB.
I live a 24 Hour lifestyle, but every now and again I seem to fall asleep, well at least that's what my wife tells me.
I'll also go as far to say that your engagement lever which should have a flat section on it (where the adjuster bolt sits against) has been worn to a full radius which will be the final part in the whole clutch make up that is allowing itself to be vibrated to the engaged position rather quickly. Lets call it an Auto Clutch now.
As far as the back of the cone is concerned, if that thrust pad is worn that badly then the flat surface on the cone will have succumbed to a domed mating surface.
The clutch on the 33 is different dimensionly to the 45.
Cheers, BB.
I live a 24 Hour lifestyle, but every now and again I seem to fall asleep, well at least that's what my wife tells me.
Not sure how I missed this before, but looking at the photo attached to this post, you will see that the clutch fork is terminally cracked, which I believe is probably causing this issue.
Looking at my model 33, the fork assembly looks identical (albeit with an additional, removable mounting bracket). I think i can swap them out. I will have a try when I find some time.
I suspect this will have caused other problems too (at least the thrust pad - and potentially cone damage as you mentioned). I think from here I should remove the fork assembly and take a closer look, but I guess I'm going to need to whip the engine and clutch off anyway to change the thrust pad, so a more comprehensive assessment can be made when I do that.
I do wonder how/ why the clutxh fork is damaged the way it is. As always your input will be much appreciated!
Well this last photo tells a bit more of the story. It's amazing what some unlearned people will do. Tools should be operated by people with licenses I always say.
As John Cleese once said, a Bee License, a Fish license, I say a tool license.
Anyway from where I'm sitting I feel it's because the clutch was poorly adjusted originally by an unknowledgeable person and the fibre washer has been worn away to nothing and as such the brass has been gripping with uneven pressure onto the cast iron of the cone which is generating heat that's being passed on to the fork. (not helpful) I'd say that someone has just kept on applying more pressure on the adjuster screw as the brass thrust pad kept wearing away (as can be clearly seen) and inevitably the fork has had enough and failed.
Cheers, BB.
I live a 24 Hour lifestyle, but every now and again I seem to fall asleep, well at least that's what my wife tells me.
