Spacer to move the clutch basket outboard?

Greetings,

I have a question to pose to the group. I'm rebuilding a Ranger that was quite abused. I have come to the part in the process where I am reassembling the primary drive. The "oil seal" where the gearbox shaft goes through the original inner primary was quite chewed up and the side of the clutch basket nearest the inner primary looks worn. My conclusion is that the clutch basket was rubbing on the inner primary. Assuming everything else lines up and all spacers are correct and in place, has anyone ever found the need to include a spacer on the gearbox shaft to move the clutch assembly further away from the inner primary cover?

Thanks in advance, Norm (Ann Arbor)

Arbitrarily inserting a spacer can misalign the chain on the drive sprocket. This is not to say a spacer is not, or should not, be inserted, only that you must be careful. Ordinarily, no spacer is required.

There may be some other reason why your clutch is rubbing .... for example, the inner primary cover is too far outboard, the gearbox, (somehow?) is too far inboard, or the clutch center is "wobbly". You should carefully investigate the cause.

You said "the original inner primary .... ". This implies you have another in better shape. If so, fit the newer inner primary and see if the clearance is better.

Again, look harder for the cause, and keep in mind the chain alignment.

Slick

I would check your spacers on engine, gearbox, and primary foot peg.