'68 Semi Auto

[FlamingChris]

Hmmmmm...that is quite a dilema, i don't remember seeing a throwout bearing anywhere in the bellhousing, it may be lurking about at the bottom of one of the boxes of parts that i have but i don't remember seeing it when i've been searching before. What makes the bearing different from that of a manual?

[Bookwus]

Hiya Chris,

I don't have a picture of one at hand but it's a completely different construction from the throwout in a manual.

And as far as putting your hands on one..................it is the Holy Grail of hard-to-find AutoStick parts.  When I rebuilt my AS transmission about four years ago it took me over six months to locate an NOS throwout bearing.  And that was mostly a matter of blind luck.  And very spendy to boot.

Right now (if you do not find your throwout bearing in that box o' parts) my recommendation would be to run through the ads on the Samba and pester anybody who is selling "AutoStick Parts" to see if they might have a used one.  There's a chap over there selling parts by the name of Mark Bolina.  He has had a lot of AS parts and he sells them in good condition at a fair price.  He'd be my first choice if I had to "go fishing".

[FlamingChris]

Hmmmm...well i'll have to wait a while to hunt it down, i'm stuck offshore for another week, i do hope i find it if it's going to be that elusive to get a hold of.

[68autobug]

Hi Guys,
Well, I've been out of touch for a few days with a virus in My computer..
Your engine bay looks like it just left the factory Mike...
Are you putting hose clamps on the fresh air heating hoses??

Flaming Chris,
bolting on a VW muffler can drive You crazy...
with those heat riser pipes...
the clamps never seem to line up..lol
I've had My manifold on & off many times and once it all lined up perfectly... lol
Now I have to replace it with another one, as My heat riser pipes are rusted thru..
so, hopefully these heat risers will fit perfectly.. lol

the tail pipes... the more you push them in, the more restriction of the exhaust..
so, I would just push them in about two inches...

Most engines I see don't have the heat riser ears? and asbestos bits..

I found the easiest way to obtain autostick bits is find someone who has taken
a working gearbox etc out of a car, and buy everything from the car...
so You will have most spares...
the clutch plate is either in or out so it wears very little...
Pressure plates also seem to last forever...
I pulled one of My throwout bearings apart and filled it with lithium based Moly grease
so it should last another 30 years...

the powder coated tinware should be much better than paint when you put
it together, so You may not have any paint falling off....

cheers

LEE










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[Bookwus]

Hiya Lee,

Hi Guys,
Well, I've been out of touch for a few days with a virus in My computer..

Been wondering where you've been hiding out.

Your engine bay looks like it just left the factory Mike...

Well, thank you Lee.  I take that as a big compliment from a person who definitely knows "interior decorating".  And the car is at the painter's right now.  Should be taking delivery on it sometime this week.

Are you putting hose clamps on the fresh air heating hoses??

You know, I always have done that in the past.  I thought this time around I'd leave them off and see how the hosing does without them.  Whatcha' think?  

And on a similar note, I'm starting to rethink my use of hoseclamps on braided German hosing.  No, I'm not giving up on them on fuel related hosing and AS applications but I am not putting them as tight as I once did.  And I am going without them on applications like the breather hose to the air filter.  Reason?  I've had to do some hose removal while engine building.  Even without clamps those hoses (when properly fitted) are just about impossible to remove.  Someone once explained to me that the braided hose works on the same principal as those woven finger handcuffs.  His contention was that they would be secure in any application (including fuel routing) without the clamps.  I'm not taking the clamps off the fuel lines, but I will experiment a bit with the other hosing.    

[FlamingChris]

Well whilst thinking constantly about where i might've seen that bearing i remember some greasy lump that had been wrapped away carefully in a sock and hidden away in one of the more fragile item boxes, i have a feeling that might be it! Still not sure of the location of the pressure plate or clutch plate but you say those are easier to find???

[Bookwus]

Hiya Chris,

.......Still not sure of the location of the pressure plate or clutch plate but you say those are easier to find???

Well, remembering that "easier" is a relative term......................yes.

Here's a clutch disc:  http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VWC%2D001%2D141%2D031

You'll have to rely on your own resources or the kindness of strangers to find an NOS pressure plate.  They MAY be out there - no guarantees.  Don't waste your time looking for an NOS throwout bearing.  Although, it just occured to me, I might know where there is one.  But even if it is there (again no guarantees) it would likely cost an arm and a leg.

Much easier, cheaper, and the quality will be just about as good if you go used.

[FlamingChris]

Well my friend's going to root around for the greased lump in a sock and send me a photo, i'll then post it up here so you can tell me if it's what i'm looking for, that won't be for a week though til he visit's.....

[68autobug]

Hi Mike,
Yes, the braided hose doesn't really need hose clamps as its nearly impossible to pull it off..
same with stainless steel braided fuel hose I use....
next to impossible to pull off....

paper air heater tubes...
I prefer to use hose clamps but there isn't any real pressure there..??
You couls also use acable ties..
I think clamps were used originally...?

if they do come off all of your cooling air gets lost....

cheers

LEE

[Bookwus]

Hiya Chris,

I did a little checking around and I believe I have located an NOS AutoStick throwout bearing.  My source is pretty sure he still has it in his inventory although he has not checked on it.  When I asked if he might want to sell it, he asked, "How much are you are offering?"

So Chris, if you want to part with some pounds sterling, you just might be able to put your hands on the Holy Grail.

[FlamingChris]

If he can wait a week (although i'm not entirely sure how that'll work out with our respective time differences) i'll let you know, or at least saturday if what i expect is in that greasy sock is the bearing.

[Bookwus]

Hiya Chris,

I told him to expect some sort of response within two weeks (a fortnight?) so no rush.

[FlamingChris]

Awesome, I'll let you know when i know!

[68autobug]

WOW, Mike,
that may be the only NOS throwout bearing in the world...
although I'm guessing there could be others about, that the owners don't know what they are...

the throwout bearing is in the center of the clutch pressure plate in that photo..
it has two arms - painted yellow [optional extra]
and its nothing like the standard throwout bearing...
clutch plate - if you have an original You can always get it relined...

cheers

LEE

[Bookwus]

Hiya Lee,

.......that may be the only NOS throwout bearing in the world...

One never knows!

.....although I'm guessing there could be others about, that the owners don't know what they are...

Yep, and if that is the case..............and we could find them..............think about the profit to be made on that deal.