Flywheel & Clutch Modification / Fine Tuning Classic Mini Car Part - 1

Join us in the workshop today for part one of our two part series where we take a look at modifying and tuning the pre-verto lightened flywheel and clutch assembly.
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[@andymurdoch1346]

A lot of people use the term engineering in their company name but can't really justify it. You are a true Engineer and a very clever one. Keep up the great videos. I'm already hooked on your knowledge of our Minis.

[@HREIRL]

Andy I greatly appreciate your comment you are very kind and I'm delighted you are enjoying the videos thanks for watching 👍

[@granbymotorsport]

The Beautiful Mind strikes again!

[@HREIRL]

Thanks buddy just one of many little tricks we like to do

[@thomasfarrell9482]

Learning at a whole new level. Maybe some colleges need to re-evaluate their programmes. The depth of understanding is phenomenal. What next?

[@HREIRL]

Thanks Thomas you are very kind I have had great mentors through the years 😊

[@roryfreeman9433]

Incredible how many so called mini experts are unaware of this and just concentrate on the straps levelling. I am currently busy doing this on my clutch and boy what a difference to the clutch pedal pressure.

[@roryfreeman9433]

Excellent description on setting up the clutch byte - well done

[@HREIRL]

No problem Rory thanks for watching

[@naturalbornminidriver2869]

It‘s refreshing to see that there are still clearly thinking people! You really figured out the construction! Thanks for sharing!

[@HREIRL]

No problem buddy glad you enjoyed 👍

[@unclekevin5094]

When I watch the attention to detail and precision you take in your work I wonder how any of the cars I worked on in the past actually ran. Our idea of a torque wrench depended upon how strong you felt that day and the idea of using specially stressed bolts to hold heads down etc didnt exist . If they were long enough that was good enough. I am sure I could build a whole engine now from the parts i have left over at the end of previous builds. Another entertaining and informative video. Thank You.

[@HREIRL]

Hi Kevin as alway I greatly appreciate your ever so kind words. Haha I know exactly what you mean about a bolt is a bolt and torque was dependant on how many weetabix to ate that morning haha

[@midgelambert3880]

Hi Paul. I watched your video 3 times and now I think I have a clearer idea of how a pre veto clutch works. Thanks very much for your videos. Cheers, Midge

[@HREIRL]

Hi Midge, Im glad the video helped you to understand and you got something out of it cheers P

[@paulgoldsmith4693]

anyone who has spannered on their own car probably understands the basic principle of how a clutch works , but how many realise that it can be fettled to improve performance. I for one did not, another great, informative video

[@HREIRL]

Hi Paul, This is exactly why I have started putting up these kind of videos to help people to see whats possible

[@TheGentlemensMotorRacingTeam]

Sir this is next level stuff - I am learning so much watching your content and your presentation skills fantastic - keep up the good work

[@HREIRL]

Thanks buddy you are very kind Im glad your geting something from the videos 👍

[@tonycamplin8607]

Very interesting video and I like your testing machine. Your certainly work to a much closer tolerances than we ever did. Most things were just done to eye.

[@HREIRL]

Well Im sure if I did as many as you did of them you could probably easily do them by eye to 😁😁

[@tonycamplin8607]

@@HREIRL I'm not so sure about that. Its definitely better to measure and be sure.

[@andrewatkins3219]

Very interesting video so far Paul, great having technical stuff explained where by a noddy like me can understand it, look forward to pt2. Keep up the good work 👍🚗💨

[@HREIRL]

No problem Andrew, Im delighted it makes sense to you 👍thanks for watching

[@paulp96275]

Paul very well explained can’t wait for part 2 fantastic vid have one for me 🍺and toast the passing of Sabine the Nurburgring queen 👍👨🏻‍🏭🇬🇧

[@HREIRL]

Hi Paul Thanks buddy, raised a glass last night, sad times passing of a legend

[@grahamwoodier5066]

Great video - very interesting. It's good to see someone who really understands how a clutch works. I particularly liked your methods of measuring aspects of the clutch mechanism performance.

[@HREIRL]

Thanks Graham glad you enjoyed the video thanks for watching 👍

[@GPZ_Biker]

Love your videos bud. Number 2 if this one came up as a recommended and i went hunting to find the start as I really enjoy your content (subscribed last week).

[@ravisidhu1667]

Great vid-

[@HREIRL]

Thanks Ravi, and thank you for your suport in watching our videos 👍

[@rhysdigby-gu9ql]

working on st patricks day...wow...good man.have a break and a bevve..

[@HREIRL]

Its not work when you enjoy it 😊 thanks buddy 👍

[@1380flip]

Another great video, that could explain my heavy clutch pedal. 😄😄😄

[@HREIRL]

Thanks buddy, yes it unfortunately explains a-lot of heavy clutch peddles around the mini scene. hopefully this will help people to tackle them and get them sorted 👍👍

[@Matthew-MrBrit]

Another great video, looking forward to part 2

[@HREIRL]

Thanks Matthew

[@CooperSTraveller]

Great video Paul. Thanks for explaining that all so well and detailed

[@HREIRL]

No problem buddy glad to be able to help

[@LoneStarMini]

Outstanding.. this is the first I've seen on this level of 'how things work'. Such wonderful information, thank you for sharing it!!!! I just wonder now why my flywheel does not have the same looking diaphragm..

[@HREIRL]

You may have the Verto type or else you might have the very early spring type. Im delighted you found it interesting thanks for watching

[@Conor.Twomey]

Great insight into the pre-verto clutch setup Paul. I suppose this becomes critical for engines that are modified and putting out way more power.

[@HREIRL]

Thanks Conor, it can be used on any clutch setup but yes the more performance orientated the more important it becomes

[@acrchy]

thnks guys defo learning from you ,, will be using this on me mini seven s

[@HREIRL]

Thats great to hear Acrchy glad it helps 👍

[@tdimac]

Oh clutches and flywheels……….the stories I could tell. Most memorable for all the wrong reasons involved big spanner slipping off, smashing my hand on the slam panel ( clubman ) big spanner smashing against my knuckle and breaking it. Swearing lots and incurring the wrath of my mother.🤦🏻‍♂️🤣🤣🤣

[@HREIRL]

Ho that is not a pleasant experience unfortunately I have been that soldier

[@mk1leg]

very interesting

[@HREIRL]

Glad you think so 👍

[@garydempsey3332]

Cracking job once again Lads. Educating to the masses. Clutch/flywheel developers should pay serious attention. 👍 #colaberarionvids #progressionthroughrealworldscenarios #brainstorming

[@HREIRL]

Aww thanks dude, Chuffed you liked it 👍👍

[@alankane8686]

Another great video and very well explained. Love the content. ☘☘🍀🍀☘☘

[@HREIRL]

Thanks Alan thanks for watching 👍

[@rajbhogal6304]

👍

[@HREIRL]

👍

[@ianroberts8692]

Going to do the rts improvement on my verto clutch this weekend as per v tech demo 😬🙏

[@HREIRL]

It is a very good system for holding bug power best of look with it

[@martinedney7099]

Very interesting (happy st. Patrick's Day)

[@HREIRL]

Same to you Martin 👍☘️

[@martinedney7099]

@@HREIRL Paul I have been restoring and doing crazy things to minis for a very very long time . And you can teach an old dog New tricks 😂 so thank you for that and keep it coming👍

[@dieseldynamo]

Pick your brains, got a 970 S in for rebuild, it’s +40 with twin H4’s . What would be a good camshaft? Wanting fast road and to sound lumpy and sporty and revvy. Power numbers not important as it’s only a one litre. Just a fun cafe racer . Was thinking Kent cam 246 or 266 or 276 . Love your channel, very inspiring 👍🏻

[@HREIRL]

The AC Dodd RS is a really nice cam it has a bit of lump to it but also has great torque. Keith Calver has a very nice selection of cams as well and a nice guy to booth

[@jerrooney8714]

All the pre 1990 Porsche clutches felt like that Paul as did the 1991 Ferrari 348 tb I was told it was because they were a high powered clutch, can you shed ant light on this. Cheers.

[@HREIRL]

Hi jer, the system used on Porsche and the Ferrari of the 1990's used a finger diaphragm multi plate type clutch. they use an over centre arrangement to get a greater range of motion to release multi plates at once. This is why you get this sorta over the hill feel it was older tec but did work

[@robertwilson6020]

You continue to inspire with your knowledge and problem solving ideas especially those for the classic mini. Keep it up. Is that an already lightened flywheel?

[@HREIRL]

Hi Robert you are very kind. Yes that is a lightened flywheel and pressure plate 👍

[@jackjackson6476]

Hello from the other side of the world in Australia...were classic British ( or as we say pommy ) sports car specialists... the question I have is if you left the set up as it was straight out the box and fitted it, as the clutch plate wears the angle of the diaphragm flattens out... so by machining the ears down your going to have the diaphragm over centred which is going to negate what you've achieved? I've always understood that what you want is exactly how you've filmed the first bit where the pressure is slightly high then dips of fairly quickly so again as the clutch wears your not going to have to remove the set up every few thousand miles and keep playing with the set up? to put it simply they purposely make the set up that way to take into account wear... Hey one other thing, in regards to the primary gear to flywheel clearance issue YOUR SPOT ON! I've never understood why they machine that clearance so close? love your work keep it up!

[@HREIRL]

Your close but i think you might be geting mixed up in the moving parts here. So a Diaphragm Clutch when it wears sees the clutch plate get tinnier. This tinning sees the pressure plate move outwards towards the diaphragm in relationship to the flywheel. The result of this initially will be a feeling of an increase in peddle pressure but no noticeable slip. As the plate wears more the function angle will lessen and the result will then be that holding pressure will decrease and there will be a noticeable over-center feel to the peddle. Its unfortunately not a case that they make it this way on purpose. the problem is the people manufacturing the clutch plate don't talk to the people making the pressure plate and no one talks to the people making the diaphragms. Glad you liking the channel and keep looking after those minis

[@ethelmini]

That's what the throw out stop is for. But the pressure plate (diaphragm assembly) itself can only move until it makes contact with the flywheel & shortening the horns brings it closer to doing that.

[@unclekevin5094]

When are we going to see some more of Gretel. I know that the mechanics are not going to be a problem for someone of your skills but a am waiting to see how you deal with the bodywork. However i shouldnt critisize it as most of them left the factory looking like that.

[@HREIRL]

Gretel Is very high on the list Kevin, Unfortunately we have to do customer work at the moment to keep the lights on and food in the press haha so Gretel has to wait in line but we have a weeks holidays coming up very soon and we plan to get a couple of episodes filmed a edited 👍

[@rolesyboy]

So I like the idea of optimising the clutch operation by flattening the diaphragm and reducing the horn height so it becomes parallel. However this surely means that the thrust release bearing ends up with much further to travel before it actually contacts the clutch release plate/spring (using the standard clutch arm) to the point where you run out of travel. Because of how far the arm is pushed out the clutch slave cylinder will then overthrow and blow the hydraulic seals. Can you explain how this can work or have I missed something? Thanks

[@dalewarren9518]

Wow , that's awesome . Why don't they make them as you are making it ?

[@HREIRL]

Hi Dale thanks buddy. Unfortunately everything is made to a price these days so they are made to work and as long as they do that then they are happy. For me Im only happy when things are a good as they can be.

[@MiniMattTV]

Very interesting work! I will be looking at and using a verto setup with two springs (RTS), have you any experience with this?

[@HREIRL]

Hi Mini Matt, Thanks for watching, yes the RTS is a clutch setup that is high on my priority list for making a few videos on 👍👍

[@damianbrown6669]

Could I clamp my assembly in my 10 ton press to check the release pressure?

[@alvaromartinez3055]

Hi there. Is it possible to convert a NON VERTO clutch Mini to verto clutch ??