Clutch tube seal question

Eades · Post by **Eades** » Tue Aug 21, 2018 10:00 am

After a clutch tube rebuild challenge I have a question: Do the seals fit inside the tube or just outside riding on the groove of the ball stud? It would be a difficult task to get them to fit inside.

I found that my tube needed a seal as evidenced by it laying on the floor. So I purchased a rebuild kit with the felts etc. I pulled it apart and it was missing the metal disks inside. Also the ball studs were not round. The one on the transmission end was more of an elongated/tapered rod.

I ordered up a ball stud and tried to install the tube over the stud: no go. The tube I.D. was to small. I now realized why the original stud was ground down. I took my Dremel and removed a small amount on the I.D. and all is well.

MarkR1951M38 · Post by **MarkR1951M38** » Tue Aug 21, 2018 11:59 am

The seal fits over the stud and NOT inside the tube. There is a good video on Kaiser Willy's You Tube channel...search youtube for Build your Willy's. There is one on the clutch/brake shaft.

Eades · Post by **Eades** » Tue Aug 21, 2018 12:01 pm

I watched that one and perhaps not too closely as I thought they coaxed the seal inside. Thanks Mark.

Post by **wesk** » Tue Aug 21, 2018 12:54 pm

I just watched it as well and there was no effort to get the seals inside the tube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkrHG3hkV6U

Eades · Post by **Eades** » Tue Aug 21, 2018 4:03 pm

My gosh you are right! Thank you. One thing I did notice is that I do not have a solid rod on the left hand side that connects the bellcrank and the clutch pedal Etc. Mine actually has an adjustment there as well. Similar to the cable that goes into the bellhousing yet solid.

Post by **wesk** » Tue Aug 21, 2018 7:30 pm

Keep in mind you are viewing a U tube video of a MB restoration, not an M38.

Also I have seen several folks fabricate a link with adjustment capability to replace the solid link to obtain a better range of adjustment for the clutch linkage.

Original M38 linkage taken from ORD 9

Original M38A1/M170 linkage

From SM-1005 the CJ2A, CJ3A & DJ-3A linkage

From SM-1005 the CJ3B, CJ5, CJ6 & late DJ3A linkage

WWII GPW linkage

WWII MB linkage

But, in your case, you most likely have the adjustable link fabricated by the military in the field under MWO ORD G1-W88.

Eades · Post by **Eades** » Wed Aug 22, 2018 8:42 am

Thanks Wes. That is exactly what I have.