Clutch advise please

[johnnydog]

Personally, I would replace the seals on the slave cylinder, as there is no doubt an issue with the them if there is fluid under the rubber cover. Irrespective of what you decide to do about the clutch, the seals in the slave cylinder need renewing, and are the easiest of the likely jobs that need addressing!
The push rod into the slave is unlikely to be bent - if everything with the clutch operation is as it should be, the ideal position for the fork of the push rod is the centre hole, but the other holes are available to be used to alter the throw / movement of the pushrod, but in my opinion, this is just masking an issue elsewhere within the clutch operation.
Just ensure the slave cylinder is mounted correctly, with no spacers washers to pack the flanges out from the mounting bracket, and, although unlikely, the slave itself is mounted on the correct side of the bracket!

[Joe Wright]

Thanks. I will look at getting replacement seal kits for the slave and master cylinder.
Fingers crossed that sorts it.
Many thanks
Joe

[Joe Wright]

Okay. Thankyou. This is how it looks.
Joe

[johnnydog]

What chassis no is your car Joe?
Upto chassis no. 69000, Mk1's had a 1" slave cylinder, and after that chassis no. a 7/8" bore. Some argue however that fitting a 7/8" bore slave cylinder instead of the 1" gives a better clutch clearance.
Looking at your photo, there looks like there is a nut between the slave mounting bracket and the engine back plate, whereas I recollect it should be mounted flush with no spacers.
Having that nut as a spacer will alter the amount of effect travel of the pushrod relative to the operation of the clutch.
Here is a photo taken from the official workshop manual of the slave cylinder mounted with its components which may help you to figure out its correct mounting.(easier than trying to photo mine at this moment!)

[Joe Wright]

Morning. Interesting. My car is a really early one built in 63 with chassis number MB640DL. It did get a replacement engine in the late 70s, engine number
MB39154HEBW. Not sure if that makes a difference. Potentially then it should have a 1 inch slave cylinder?

[Joe Wright]

I'll check to see if the slave is mounted flush or its had spacers, nuts put in.

[wild bill]

It may be my old eyes, but is the slave cylinder mounted upside down? In the photos it looks like the supply pipe is at the top, with the bleed nipple at the bottom, which will play havoc with clutch bleeding..

[johnnydog]

Looking at the angle of the 'flats' at the end of the slave cylinder relative to the supply pipe and the bleed nipple positions, which are positioned at 45 degrees in the picture, I would say that the bleed nipple is correctly at the top. I see where you are coming from Bill, but I think it is just the angle it has been taken from.
Must be, as you say Bill, your 'old' eyes...

[Joe Wright]

I see what you mean it does look like that but I don't think it is. Ill have to check.

[Joe Wright]

Had the car on a ramp today and moved the rod from the slave to the centre hole. It was on the top. I will see what difference it makes. First time I was able to see under the car properly too, its remarkably good fortunately.