Triumph Repair: clutch hard line problem, flange bolts, triumph spitfire

Question
Hello, i have recently begun restoring a 1967 triumph spitfire with a 1974 engine. now i havent got the engine started yet but it turns over but sor some reason seazes up(not my question but if you have any info on why it would help). but without the engine running just turning over for about 15 to 20 sec. the hard line going to the master cylinder gets very hot and smoke pours off of it. the weird part is that the tranny doesn not even get warm nor does the master cylinder just hard line. there are no wires that touch it and i have recently changed and blead the fluid but it still does it. i am very worried because it get extremely hot after just a few attempts at starting the moter but nothing else does. please help i have decided to stop working on it till i can get this fixed as i presume this is a very serious problem. thank in advance, Sam

Answer
Sam,

Where does the grounding strap from the battery go?  Typically the "ground" lead gets bolted in one of the bell housing flange bolts.  What it sounds like is the clutch hydraulic line is acting as the ground connection from the engine to the bodywork.  Adding a strap from the engine to the frame isn't a bad idea.

When the engine siezes... is it like something is jamming it (sudden stop) or just a increase in effort to make it spin?  If it's a hard stop, it's time to pull things apart and look for a loose bolt in the works.


Cheers,

Jim