TheAngryPidgeon
02-27-2009, 11:59 PM
/rant
Here's the background:
When I decided to do a JDM long block replacement, I opted for a Exedy Stage 1 Organic Racing Clutch and an ACT Streetlite Flywheel since my clutch was on its way out as well.
Since then, the engine developed a knock from the lower end of the block, and with the clutch assembly installed, there was enough room between the slave cylinder and whatever it is supposed to be in contact with for my mechanic to stick his finger in between. Furthermore, in contrast to the 3/4" that the prongs on my old pressure plate stood out of it, the new pressure plate's prongs only stood out 3/8". This prevented the assembly from kicking the clutch pedal back off the floor once depressed.
Three weeks ago: I had my engine removed again, on my dime, and returned to the company from which I purchased it so that they could run tests on it to find the problem that my mechanic diagnosed. Unlike my mechanic, they found no metal shavings in the oil, pan or filter. They also found no knock whatsoever and no abnormal play in the crankshaft. They hot-ran it on their test bench, but still found nothing. Granted, the test bench provides no load on the engine, which could exacerbate the issue, but alas, they informed me that it would show up if there was, in fact, a problem.
Today: I am currently having the same engine reinstalled in my '98 BD because they refused to issue me a refund if they could not find an problem with the engine. I did, however, convince them to not only warrant the parts, as they did the first time, but also the labor if a knock was still present. As I sit now, my mechanic is removing this engine from my vehicle again because the replacement Exedy Stage 1 Organic Clutch Kit I purchased is experiencing the same issue, even though the measurement on the prongs only varies from the OEM clutch by 1/16", which apparently should not allow for a finger's worth of gap to be present in the aforementioned location.
He is currently removing it so he can measure the flywheel, which had its part number matched to the correct application for my vehicle prior to this attempt at an install, to make certain that it is not the problematic component. His next step will be to attempt to readjust the ball component that acts as a fulcrum for the fork? This part I'm a bit less clear on, because I haven't been brooding over it for months now.
Edit: He is cutting and rewelding the fork that pivots on that ball so that it will fit for certain, but that's another hour or so of labor. =\
Is it too much to ask that the parts that are supposed to fit in my vehicle actually fit in my vehicle without issue? I have already matched my initial investment of $5100 in parts and labor (some replacement, some upgrades) over the course of the 3 1/2 months I've owned the vehicle. I just want the damn thing to work.
/end rant for now
Edit #2:
This is analogous to my experience with my Subaru in contrast to what I've heard about their reliability and dependability:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/02/fortune-1.jpg
Here's the background:
When I decided to do a JDM long block replacement, I opted for a Exedy Stage 1 Organic Racing Clutch and an ACT Streetlite Flywheel since my clutch was on its way out as well.
Since then, the engine developed a knock from the lower end of the block, and with the clutch assembly installed, there was enough room between the slave cylinder and whatever it is supposed to be in contact with for my mechanic to stick his finger in between. Furthermore, in contrast to the 3/4" that the prongs on my old pressure plate stood out of it, the new pressure plate's prongs only stood out 3/8". This prevented the assembly from kicking the clutch pedal back off the floor once depressed.
Three weeks ago: I had my engine removed again, on my dime, and returned to the company from which I purchased it so that they could run tests on it to find the problem that my mechanic diagnosed. Unlike my mechanic, they found no metal shavings in the oil, pan or filter. They also found no knock whatsoever and no abnormal play in the crankshaft. They hot-ran it on their test bench, but still found nothing. Granted, the test bench provides no load on the engine, which could exacerbate the issue, but alas, they informed me that it would show up if there was, in fact, a problem.
Today: I am currently having the same engine reinstalled in my '98 BD because they refused to issue me a refund if they could not find an problem with the engine. I did, however, convince them to not only warrant the parts, as they did the first time, but also the labor if a knock was still present. As I sit now, my mechanic is removing this engine from my vehicle again because the replacement Exedy Stage 1 Organic Clutch Kit I purchased is experiencing the same issue, even though the measurement on the prongs only varies from the OEM clutch by 1/16", which apparently should not allow for a finger's worth of gap to be present in the aforementioned location.
He is currently removing it so he can measure the flywheel, which had its part number matched to the correct application for my vehicle prior to this attempt at an install, to make certain that it is not the problematic component. His next step will be to attempt to readjust the ball component that acts as a fulcrum for the fork? This part I'm a bit less clear on, because I haven't been brooding over it for months now.
Edit: He is cutting and rewelding the fork that pivots on that ball so that it will fit for certain, but that's another hour or so of labor. =\
Is it too much to ask that the parts that are supposed to fit in my vehicle actually fit in my vehicle without issue? I have already matched my initial investment of $5100 in parts and labor (some replacement, some upgrades) over the course of the 3 1/2 months I've owned the vehicle. I just want the damn thing to work.
/end rant for now
Edit #2:
This is analogous to my experience with my Subaru in contrast to what I've heard about their reliability and dependability:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/02/fortune-1.jpg