Blueprint LS Engine package leaking throwout bearing ?

[lewma]

Guys, in addition to the no-start in my other thread ;) Discovered this while under the car testing sensors. I bled my clutch a couple of months back and have been hitting it now and then, but i'm sure that the leaking in the pic is not normal. BluePrint provide the engine/trans package and include McLeod clutches and 1300 series McLeod hydraulic throwout bearing.

Anyone else use these throwout bearings ? I'm thinking i've got to pull the engine and trans for this then tear down the bearing ?

Hoping some experts on this site can offer advice.

168642

[sread]

The engine doesn't necessarily have to come out but the trans does. That may or may not be easier to do together. As far as tearing in to the bearing, that is usually just replaced as an assembly. There are mixed reviews on the various aftermarket hyd throw out bearings. My LS powered hot rod uses an oem type supplied by Silver Sport transmissions. I think most all the oems now use hyd release bearings so they tend to be pretty reliable if set up right. They typically need to be shimmed correctly to have the proper travel and if Blueprint supplied the whole assembly you would assume that they set it up properly...but you know what they say about assuming. I think the main thing you need to watch for is over extending the bearing. The best way to prevent that is by having a positive clutch stop. If you feel the resistance in the pedal rise suddenly before reaching the stop you are over extending the bearing and likely to blow out the seal. It probably doesn't do much good for the crank thrust bearing either. Every bearing manufacturer will have their own specs for the proper set up.