On 10/21/2017 8:50 PM, Clifford Heath wrote:
On 26/10/17 10:46, wrote:
Hi all. Recently picked up a selectric. Initially the machine wouldn't
turn on, but once I removed the cover and manually rotated and broke
loose the centrifugal clutch attached to the motor and belt, it turned
on. Apparently they can get like this after sitting for a long time
and accumulating gunk and what not. Anyways after I broke it loose the
motor ran, but the clutch immediately started slipping in the belt
when trying to engage. I cleaned the clutch off really thoroughly. I
even compared it to another clutch I have on a different Selectric.
They both look exactly the same in every way. And that clutch works.
So I'm having a tough time believing that it's the clutch that's bad.
Now the carriage on the machine is stuck all the way on the left side
and I cannot pull it to the right to save my life. Basically I can't
tell if the clutch isn't letting the inner shaft rotate because it's
broken, or something in the inner shaft mechanisms are jammed up and
that's what is causing the clutch to slip as it takes too much force
for the clutch to handle. Is this happening because the carriage is
stuck on the left side? And if so, how can I release it manually? Any
information would be greatly appreciated! Thanks all!


It sounds like gunky stuck bearings on whatever the clutch drives.
IIRC it's a roller, that drives any individual striker whose
friction pad touches it. You could try getting some Penetrene
into the bearings, but the right fix is to disassemble, clean
and lubricate it.

Here's a video on the motor clutch - it might help:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfZS7hHBd7s

Ed