I upgraded to an FM Level I clutch while I was dropping in my new motor. I noticed they recommend using their clutch switch cancel thing and avoiding pressing the clutch when there's no oil pressure to avoid pushing on the thrust bearing and squeezing out what oil it has from the last time the engine ran.

I understand the theory behind this, but what I don't get is how you park in this case. I usually park in first (or reverse) + parking brake - but that'd require pressing the clutch to get it out of first into neutral, which means I've already hit the clutch, so who cares if I just keep holding it to crank?

Confused on what they're suggesting here.

Or is it that it's OK to push in the clutch, get to neutral, release the clutch, and start it, because at least now the clutch isn't actively putting pressure on the bearing when its spinning up?

 

they're suggesting you don't park the car in gear

 

Why do you need the clutch to take the transmission out of gear when the car isn't running?

 

Hmm... I'd rather not damage my engine, but body damage from a rolling car isn't really better if my parking brake failed.

I guess I don't need the clutch, I always did it out of habit, and it does make it come out of gear with less force, so I assumed even with engine off, it wasn't great to go pulling it out of gear.

 

They don't want you to crank the starter while the stiffer clutch is pressing against the crankshaft thrust bearing which has no oil pressure initially.

You can press the clutch to shift into neutral before starting, just release the clutch before starting.

Or don't worry about it unless you run **** oil or don't start your car for months at a time.

 

That makes sense. And after reading more about it, shifting out of gear (or even into gear) sans clutch with the engine off won't hurt anything, as was stated. Thanks!