Type 9 clutch problem

[Mexmick]

Hi all,

I am running an st170 engine and type 9 gearbox in my mk1 escort. I have got it all running but the car crunched into gear and lunged forward stalling the engine (when the clutch was fully pressed). When I wound the clutch in a bit, so the bearing was tight up against the clutch, I can now change gears but the biting point is right at the bottom of the pedal travel. Here''s a run down of what I have.

St170 engine.
Retroford zetec flywheel drilled for a pinto clutch
2.0 pinto clutch (quinten hazel)
capri cast bell housing with cable clutch (square-ish bellhousing not the rounded type)
RS2000 CL bearing
type 9 gearbox.
Cortina type 9 fork

I have spoke to several people and they all say this should work, But it doesn't and it's got me stumped. The only solution I could think of was to cut and reweld the fork in a more forward position.
Has anyone else had this trouble and if so how did you fix it?

Cheers

[Graham]

is the clutch plate the right way round?

[Mexmick]

Yes, it would only go on one way. That was my first thought too.

[pauln]

When you use a zetec clutch kit you run out of travel, sounds like the problem solving clutch kits suffer from the same issue. If the cable pulls the fork all the way into the side of the bellhousing I would suggest you need a thicker release bearing (or is the bearing you have the ct133)..

[robrs2]

The two possible fixes

[alladdin]

you may just have a wrong arm, cortinas didnt have a t9.

[evans2822]

Not sure If I have correct clutch fork for the type 9 are they different than the 4 speeds?

[alladdin]

Some hit the b.h. opening as it comes forward

[Mexmick]

I'm taking the box out this weekend to check which bearing is fitted. I'm fairly confident that the one in is the shallow type but i'm going to order a new one anyway. Cheers for the info Rob, I've PM'd you.

[bunta20v]

never done a zetec conversion but do you need a spigot bearing on the end of the crankshaft? I only ask as its similar to a 4age 20v. Originally a fwd engine so a spigot bearing is needed when converting to rwd application.

[oddy]

Hi mate,
any engine you convert to a type 9 box will need a spigot bearing,
cheers
James

[Mexmick]

Hi, Yeah I have a spigot bearing fitted. It only supports the input shaft of the gearbox so would not solve my problem.

[Mexmick]

Thank feck for that. Got it sorted
The clutch plate needed the dowel holes widening a little as the plate would not sit tight to the flywheel.
10 mins with a fine rounded file and.... boom it works as it should. MOT soon.
Thanks to two of the guys from the sporting escort owners club for all their help.

[alladdin]

[evans2822]

Nice one good heads up that somthing to look out for on assembly