Clutch Return Spring

[ggunder]

My '72 Z has an L28 engine and I recently swapped out the 4-speed for a late ('81-'83 close ratio) 5-speed. Everything went back together and works fine. When adjusting the clutch recently I noticed I don't have a return spring connecting the slave cylinder to the clutch fork. My friend's '71 4-speed has a spring that is about 3" in length. I measured the distance my spring would have to be and it is about 5" and there are places on the slave cylinder and clutch fork for the spring to connect. I know some slave cylinders have this spring internal with the piston. Short of taking the slave cylinder apart, is there a way to tell if I need to go get a return spring? I don't want to wear out my clutch or throwout bearing prematurely. Thanks for your advice on this!

Gary

[EuroDat]

The E-Fast system shows p/n: 30533-21010 for the spring on all manual models, but my 280Z doesnt have one either. I also cant see any place to connect the spring to on the slace cylinder or the fork.

[SteveJ]

Frankly, I don't remember seeing a return spring on either my 73 or 74.

[EuroDat]

Frankly, I don't remember seeing a return spring on either my 73 or 74.

Come to think about it, I dont see the point of it except giving you excessive free play by overcoming the small internal spring in the slave cylinder and pushing the rod/piston all the way to the back of the slave cylinder. Maybe Im missing something?

It would defeat the purpose of the internal spring which is there to take out the free play and adjust to clutch plate wear. To use a external spring you would need an adjustable rod and check it at regular intervals and adjust it for the clutch plate wear.

Chas

[EuroDat]

i was just looking through MSA z store and seen these slave cylinders. The 71/72 had adjustable rods. That would explain the spring on your system before you changed over to the new transmission.

Chas

Motorsport! Clutch Slave Cylinders - The Z Store, Nissan-Datsun 240Z-260Z-280Z-280ZX-300ZX(Z31/Z32)-350Z-370Z Parts