Hi John - Think your suggestion re the clutch could be close to the problem , possibly dragging a bit, I think I'd be inclined to examine the clutch, the plain plates in particular for flatness,
replace any that rock on a known flat surface ( thick glass plate from some discarded domestic appliance ), and of course the pressure plate lifting square
If funds allow the alloy pressure plates as sold by SRM and Lyford Classic are a good investment .
Can't think of anything in these boxes that would be to much bothered by it heating up, maybe the indent plunger spring but if you haven't altered it it should be OK.
I have had the gear change return spring break one leg so the lever still worked kind of but I lost a gear, worth a look you'd only need to remove the outer cover not the gearbox.
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