Maserati Khamsin Clutch

8

89Spyder

New Member
Messages
11
Dear Experts,

Yesterday, the clutch on my 1975 Khamsin stopped working. The pedal became stiff and cannot be pushed in. I looked under the car, and was able to move the clutch lever but looks like the slave piston got stuck? This is not a simple system, so before I jump and replace the slave cylinder, would be nice to hear some expert opinion (could be some additional release valves or ???).

Thanks

Joe
 
Ewan

Ewan

Member
Messages
6,812
If you are in the U.K., call McGrath Maserati, as they are arguably the most experienced experts for this model. But a faulty cylinder would be the most likely cause, I suspect.

BTW, please share a picture of your Khamsin. Rare and beautiful. Wish I’d never sold mine…
 
Ewan

Ewan

Member
Messages
6,812
Lovely!

Though it’s a shame the US rules mean you have to have those oversized repeaters on the front and rear flanks. My F400 had those (as it had spent a year in the States), but I removed them when the car came back to U.K.

Pic of my Khamsin, just for fun:
7A06B843-4246-4CAE-92F0-DF0EE5262C4F.jpeg
 
8

89Spyder

New Member
Messages
11
Is there a workshop manual for the Khamsin?
I searched over the internet and couldn't find one (even pdf).
 
Ewan

Ewan

Member
Messages
6,812
You can buy the Khamsin Drivers Manual and the Khamsin Parts Manual from Maserati Club UK, but I'm not sure if they have the Khamsin Workshop Manual. Maybe send them an email?

Or just contact the Classiche department at the Maserati factory, as they'll know and are really helpful and friendly.
 
zagatoes30

zagatoes30

Member
Messages
20,945
Ewan said:
Lovely!

Though it’s a shame the US rules mean you have to have those oversized repeaters on the front and rear flanks. My F400 had those (as it had spent a year in the States), but I removed them when the car came back to U.K.

Pic of my Khamsin, just for fun:
View attachment 122323
Click to expand...
That is one great looking car even in Gold ;)
 
Ewan

Ewan

Member
Messages
6,812
I've seen them in all sorts of colours. To me, the darker shades don't show the lines well. The colours I've seen that do work well are light gold, silver, light/mid grey and light blue.

But obviously this is just a personal opinion.

I was chatting with the current owner of my old gold car early in 2023, with the thought of buying it back. But then the Aston Martin came along, so that swallowed the money. But it's definitely back on the agenda for 2024, but realistically only if I decided to sell the 400 to make the space.

Anyone fancy a fabulous 400?
 
8

89Spyder

New Member
Messages
11
I was under the car only once but as I recall; the piston rod is connected to the clutch lever and I was able to move it back and forth.
In case of a 'normal' slave cylinder, the lever is spring loaded and it pushed back against the rod coming out of the piston - here it was different, I couldn't feel any spring load on the lever. Now, when I started the engine the piston did push back on the lever but I could not push it further (even with the pedal) to disengage the clutch.
So I'm thinking there must be some valve or whatever that failed there???

(Hope that someone has a diagram of the hydraulic system (and the clutch) so I can develop my own diagnosis).
 
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8

89Spyder

New Member
Messages
11
Following the advise of Evan, I emailed David at McGrath Maserati in the UK.
He suggested to look into the pin securing the clutch pivot arm to the shaft, because they have a tendency to snap.
Turns out that this was the problem. However the previous owner simply welded the shaft to the lever and it cracked under my ownership.
Now, I should decide if to go for an easy fix or remove the gearbox and do it right.

Big Thanks to the experts at McGrath Maserati.
 
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