Long story short, cracked my tranny case a few months ago, havn't started the car since. I want to let it run for a bit so nothing clogs up. If i keep my foot on the clutch is it ok to start it up without doing damage to the gears in the tranny?

 

if you put the car in first gear, clutch down, the trans will not turn at all. Then you can start the engine. Keep the car in 1st gear and keep the clutch pedal down. Keep in mind you will be running the TO bearing all the time, so just run it for a minute or so.

 

It's been a few months. It won't make any difference now if you just leave it alone till you really need it started for some other reason. Nothing is going to "clog up" that isn't already and I doubt anything is clogged up now.
However, if you must start it and you're worried about the tranny spinning, besides having the clutch down the whole time, also have the tranny in gear. This will make sure it doesn't turn. Having the clutch down and being in neutral can still impart enough friction to turn the tranny.

 

I don't like to start the engine with the clutch in due to no oil pressure and thus thrust bearing wear.

 

You got a "clutch/starter" defeat switch switch?

 

I just clipped the clutch interlock switch wires and crimped them together.

 

I actually installed a switch so that I can start the engine by either pressing the clutch down OR by pushing the defeat switch. All cold starts are done using the defeat switch and the clutch kept up. However, I would hazard to guess that 99.99% of all S2000s (or any modern day manual car) cannot be started this way. It should also be noted that "crank walk" as a result of thrust washer wear due to crank shaft pull by the clutch has not been conclusively proven one way or the other. Professional mechanics have been debating this since the dawn of automobile time and continue to do so to this very day.

 

Good seeing you back Dave (for those that wonder, xviper has been here longer than I have)

In my experience, it's the turbo guys coupled with an ACT PP, that are having issues with crankwalk and worn thrust bearings. I have not been able to determine how these come together. I am starting to think it's a combination of poor driver habit, amplified by a strong pressure plate.

I have found there are many guys who know how to drive the car, but do not operate the car as a machine properly. There is a big difference.

I currently have 35 plus customers running the H021 ACT PP, many of which were installed many years ago.

I have had an older style (stronger than the H021) ACT PP in my car for 110k miles. My current crankwalk measures that of a brand new engine. Not .001 more.

In theory, doing the clutch by pass takes all pressure off the thrust bearing during cold start. I did it to mine, only in the last 5k miles or so.

Maybe you can comment, and add the disclaimer to this mod like you used to do (car, meet lake)

 

Thanks, Billman. As far as I'm concerned, you are still the "guru" and ultimate authority on the S2000.
I'm very pleased to see that your crankwalk situation is as you've measured. I too, have had my ACT HD PP in for many, many years on my supercharged car. I only did the by pass just to show how to do it and I use it as a routine just because it's there. My only disclaimer is that "your results may vary" and the need for such a by pass is as yet not proven. However, "peace of mind", coupled with superstition can play a roll in its efficacy.

 

Is that world wide or North America including Canada only?