Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Glenn Crawford]

Does anyone have a means of identifying the colour coding of springs used in 1940s to 1960s Borg & Beck clutch cover assemblies?

The reason for wanting to know is not academic; it's because I'm finding that the clutch on my Riley 1½-Litre is too heavy, and I've also noticed this on previous - but not all - Riley RMs I've driven. On occasions when I've been able to drive low-mileage, original examples the clutch has been noticeably lighter, a real delight compared with my own cars. I have a suspicion that recently fitted clutches are being fitted with springs which are too stiff, but lack the evidence to prove it. A look-up table between the colour of the identifying dab of paint and the spring rating would be ideal.

The connection between the clutch pedal on these Rileys is mechanical, not hydraulic, and of course I've verified that the linkage is set up and lubricated correctly.

[peter scott]

Hi Glenn,

According to the Motor Trader the RM 1.5 should use a Borg & Beck 8A6-G
cover with 6 brown springs of free length 2.334"

The RM 2.5 should use a Borg & Beck 10A6-G cover with either 9 orange springs of length 2.44"

or 3 maroon springs of 2.66"

Peter
_________________
http://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

[Glenn Crawford]

Thanks Peter - and sorry to sound a know-all, but "I know"!! ! I've got a copy of the Riley "Illustrated Spares List" from when the cars were current.

But the Borg & Beck plates you get as exchange these days don't have these colours, they are yellow, green, blue, and other positions on the rainbow. The reason for my post is I that want some way of comparing the spec of the originals with what's being supplied these days.

[peter scott]

Hi Glenn,

Unfortunately I don't have any Borg & Beck catalogues. I have Ferrodo and Edmunds Walker and Brown Brothers all of which cover centre plates and release bearings but none dealt with the clutch covers.

Peter
_________________
http://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

[Glenn Crawford]

Hi Peter, Many thanks for your help so far. Does anyone else know the answer?

[peter scott]

Hi Glenn,

For what it's worth:

Austin A30 uses 6 blue springs length 1.58"
Austin A40 (Somerset) uses 6 red springs length 1.96"
Ford Consul uses 6 yellow springs length 1.90"
Ford Zephyr Six uses 6 brown springs length 1.92"
Hillman Minx (side valve) uses 6 yellow springs length 2.225"
Jaguar XK120 uses 12 yellow springs length 2.688"
MG TD uses 6 red springs length 1.93" (or 6 brown 2.11")
Rover 75 uses 9 cream springs length 2.66"
Triumph Mayflower uses 6 yellow springs length 2.255"
Triumph Renown uses 6 green springs length 2.56" (or 3 cream 2.68")
Vauxhall Velox uses 6 cream springs length 2.22"
Vauxhall Wyvern uses 6 yellow springs length 2.225"

Peter
_________________
http://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon