33 Clutch Problem?

[littlebelter]

L.O. All.

Need a bit of advice regarding clutch on my 33 Van.

When you try to put it in to gear it grinds like hell.

If you start it up with gear engaged it starts up ok and doesn't try to run away. It sits still until you increase the revs.

Tickover is not racing or anything like that. The only thing I can think of is perhaps a broken spring on one of the clutch shoes or perhaps a lining come adrift and partly jamming up.

Has anyone any other ideas or checks that I can do? I dont want to have to take out the engine if I can avoid it!

Thanks in advance,

Pete.

[Richard DAF Webmeister]

Bear in mind that DAFs are SUPPOSED to be started "in gear" and not in "neutral". So from that point of view, your 33 is behaving as it should. Likewise, your observation that it does not creep or move until you increase the revs, is precisely one of the selling points of the Variomatic over other automatics.

If everything is set up properly, you should be able to slip from forward to reverse and vice versa in a swift movement of the lever, but when the car is stationary.

The usual reason for getting the crunching and grating when moving the selector, is because the clutch is engaged due to a higher than normal tickover. Perhaps you might want to try starting the engine in neutral (which is acceptable for maintenance reasons), let it run for a few moments without pressing the throttle or using the choke, then switch the engine off. If you hear the clutch spinning when the engine has cut, then I would think the tickover is too high.

The clutch engages, I think, at about 750rpm.

[dafdaffer]

You will still get some natural movement from the bearing at the end of the shaft so even if the clutch has not engaged it will slowly start to move the prop so it will grind, Mr emmerson had a daf 46 where he fitted a brake to the Prop so it could be engaged into gear at tick over!

Paul

[Bob Scrivens]

Hi Pete
Sounds like its working OK, as Richard said you do need to normally start the car in gear (apart from the noise the propshaft can some times decide to complain), as the tick over could be just at the speed the clutch shoes are starting to catch the drum.
It will also some times happen if you have the foot brake applied, as this will slightly increase the tick over speed if the mixture is set up correctly.
I always put a BIG notice on the dash board of the car if it goes into a garage, to state that the car must be started in gear.

Regards Bob.

[littlebelter]

Thanks for the information everybody, that's a relief!

I didn't realise you were supposed to start up in gear.

I had a 33 Van about 30 years ago and don't remember starting it in gear. Just shows how the old (Literally) grey matter plays tricks on you.

Mind you I ran that original van for 3 months before I realised 1 belt was busted!

Thanks again.

Pete.