Japan Meets Britain

Vince Lupo · Post by **Vince Lupo** » Sun Jun 05, 2011 6:22 am

Well we think we narrowed down the problem, and many thanks to Gordon Brown for his insights and assistance.

The photo below shows the original Honda part with what looks to be either a bronze or copper washer -- the clutch rod passes through this. In the NOVA transmission version, this washer is not copper/bronze, but hardened steel. Unfortunately, it wore a groove into the clutch rod, thereby causing it to wear down the seal, and the oil leak was the final result. So John's plan is to use this bronze/copper washer from the original Honda transmission part as a guide to make a new one, and replace the hardened steel washer with it. This should solve the problem (hopefully!). We are super-sleuths!

LOUD MOUSE · Post by **LOUD MOUSE** » Sun Jun 05, 2011 8:54 am

Are the holes the same size?. ..........lm

Vince Lupo wrote:Well we think we narrowed down the problem, and many thanks to Gordon Brown for his insights and assistance.

The photo below shows the original Honda part with what looks to be either a bronze or copper washer -- the clutch rod passes through this. In the NOVA transmission version, this washer is not copper/bronze, but hardened steel. Unfortunately, it wore a groove into the clutch rod, thereby causing it to wear down the seal, and the oil leak was the final result. So John's plan is to use this bronze/copper washer from the original Honda transmission part as a guide to make a new one, and replace the hardened steel washer with it. This should solve the problem (hopefully!). We are super-sleuths!

Vince Lupo · Post by **Vince Lupo** » Sun Jun 05, 2011 3:07 pm

The hole in the NOVA transmission is supposedly 8.2mm. Don't know what the original Honda one is, but I know that the clutch rod itself is 8mm.

LOUD MOUSE · Post by **LOUD MOUSE** » Sun Jun 05, 2011 3:24 pm

One rubs and one doesn't!?. ...........lm

Vince Lupo wrote:The hole in the NOVA transmission is supposedly 8.2mm. Don't know what the original Honda one is, but I know that the clutch rod itself is 8mm.

Vince Lupo · Post by **Vince Lupo** » Sun Jun 05, 2011 4:27 pm

Now remember I'm no mechanic! I think - and I'm probably giving the Readers' Digest version of what John said is going on - is that it's a combination of what Gordon described above, and the fact that the washer in the NOVA transmission is made of hardened steel, not bronze/copper. The hardened steel washer is probably harder than the clutch rod, and is wearing that groove in the rod (at the exact spot and in the exact thickness of that washer). I don't know if the Honda one rubs or not, or if it's supposed to or not. In you estimation Ed, would you think that 8.2mm diameter in that NOVA washer hole is too small, or does that sound like it's about the right size?

LOUD MOUSE · Post by **LOUD MOUSE** » Sun Jun 05, 2011 8:01 pm

To tell the truth I've not heard of that rod contacting the HONDA part.
I have seen the seal wear a slot though. .........lm

Vince Lupo wrote:Now remember I'm no mechanic! I think - and I'm probably giving the Readers' Digest version of what John said is going on - is that it's a combination of what Gordon described above, and the fact that the washer in the NOVA transmission is made of hardened steel, not bronze/copper. The hardened steel washer is probably harder than the clutch rod, and is wearing that groove in the rod (at the exact spot and in the exact thickness of that washer). I don't know if the Honda one rubs or not, or if it's supposed to or not. In you estimation Ed, would you think that 8.2mm diameter in that NOVA washer hole is too small, or does that sound like it's about the right size?

e3steve · Post by **e3steve** » Mon Jun 06, 2011 1:24 am

LOUD MOUSE wrote:To tell the truth I've not heard of that rod contacting the HONDA part.
I have seen the seal wear a slot though. .........lm

Vince Lupo wrote:Now remember I'm no mechanic! I think - and I'm probably giving the Readers' Digest version of what John said is going on - is that it's a combination of what Gordon described above, and the fact that the washer in the NOVA transmission is made of hardened steel, not bronze/copper. The hardened steel washer is probably harder than the clutch rod, and is wearing that groove in the rod (at the exact spot and in the exact thickness of that washer). I don't know if the Honda one rubs or not, or if it's supposed to or not. In you estimation Ed, would you think that 8.2mm diameter in that NOVA washer hole is too small, or does that sound like it's about the right size?

Same here.