78’ 500 clutch plates

[Cactus]

“ My 78’ jigsaw project continues “. My parts book for this motor shows 5 fibre plates and 4 steel plates plus the pressure plate. My workshop manual doesn’t specify numbers but mentions a semi lined plate. I don’t have a semi lined plate and can’t find reference to it on mdina’s page. It looks to me that after installing the 5 and 4 plates mentioned above there is still room in the clutch basket for a couple more plates. Can someone please clear this up for me. Do I need a semi lined plate? And how many of each fibre and steel plates do I need?
I am also I need of 1 more clutch spring nut if anyone has a spare and is willing to post to Australia

[Steve Brown]

The semi lined plate is a bit misleading. It's actually another friction plate but it's noticeably thinner than the others. I can't remember the exact numbers of each but if you have a proper parts list that should be reliable. The other important point about the clutch plates is that one of the steel plates should be very slightly dished. That one is the first steel to go in on reassembly, it helps the plates separate when you pull the lever and also contributes to a smoother take up of the drive*. If you stack the steel plates up the dished one should be easy to see if it still is dished! And of course the rest need to be flat and not warped, like any other clutch.(*shimming of the hub is also important for the same smooth take up)
I do have spare spring nuts but think you might find one in Aus? And yes post is a bit pricey from UK. If you do get stuck though...

[Cactus]

On closer inspection of Mdina’s photo of clutch packs, there are 6 fibre and 5 steel plates so that part of my dilemma has been solved.(silly me, that explains why there were so many in the box of parts, obviously what was in it originally). However, much to my dismay, all 6 fibre plates are the same thickness and all 5 steel plates are equally slightly dished.WT#

[Steve Brown]

Complete sets of steel and fibre plates are usually available at Mdina. They will probably be able to sort the spring nuts at the same time.

[Morini Jen]

If you are looking for clutch nuts, I would recommend trying to find some with a hexagon head rather than the originals which require a slotted screwdriver.

I bought some from Stempy on this Forum. See this post...

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=8237&p=47172&hilit=nuts#p47172

[Cactus]

Thanks for that. Yes, I know that Mdina have clutch plate packs but unfortunately they haven’t had a clutch nut in stock for about 12 months and additionally I’ve had no luck in getting one here at home.

[Stempy]

Posted to Australia a few times ,Olly makes a few bits for Morinis see below

IMG_3635.jpeg (490.4 KiB) Viewed 158 times

[Morini Jen]

Brilliant!

That's what you want...

I have bought the hexagon head clutch nuts and an exhaust ring spanner from Olly and the quality is absolutely superb.

[George 350]

Hi,

Whatever type of clutch spring caps you get, do not overtighten them. They only need the merest 'nip' when home. The risk of too tight = even tighter to undo and the spring pillars in the clutch centre break off.

Regards, George

[Cactus]

Thanks George,
I’ll keep that in mind.