8BA Centerforce clutch
 

I am building an 8BA flathead for a 50 F1. Block just passed inspection and they are starting the machine work on the block. I will be running the 3 speed side shift transmission. I bought a Centerforce flywheel, pressure plate, and clutch disc. Will the stock throw out bearing work with it? Centerforce said it would but asking for real world experience. Thx!

JB

Re: 8BA Centerforce clutch
 

Would you please list the Centerforce part numbers for the flywheel, PP and clutch disc.
I'm just getting started with a replacement on my 49 wagon.
thanks

Re: 8BA Centerforce clutch
 

WGA I would call them and get their recommendations based on your input shaft size. I had to piece it together with 1 3/8 10 spline size.

JB

Re: 8BA Centerforce clutch
 

Thanks 3T...their website is a bit frustrating to navigate.

Re: 8BA Centerforce clutch
 

Given that you're running the 1 3/8 10 spline clutch disc, I believe the stock throw-out bearing should work. I would buy the bearing and make sure it aligns with the diameter of the clutch forks.

Re: 8BA Centerforce clutch
 

Re: 8BA Centerforce clutch
 

Agree, 100%. Call their customer service/tech line. They are great. Website stinks.

I am running their clutch & pressure plates behind a 59AB and use the stock throw out bearing. Sadly, I did not save the part numbers that I used, but give them a ringy dingy.

Re: 8BA Centerforce clutch
 

Thanks guys, I checked the stock throwout and I hits fine on the fingers.

Tim, thanks for your experience, did you leave the weights on the pressure plate or cut them off.

JB

Re: 8BA Centerforce clutch
 

JB,

Great question. I cut them off. Reason being, a friend used one while racing. During one run, the throw out bearing got caught on the weights, jamming the clutch up. Once the clutch gets "broken in" I really don't think you'll need it. From my understanding, the weights are designed for high RPM's which our flatheads won't see.

Re: 8BA Centerforce clutch
 

Thanks Tim, this engine will run in an F1 truck so no racing involved. That said I could see how the weighs could become a problem if they stuck or were jammed in the wrong position. Cutting them off and balancing the pressure plate on rotating assembly seems like the best option in my mind.

JB

Re: 8BA Centerforce clutch
 

So, spinning weights impacted a clutch release bearing?
Jammed up clutch probably was the least of their concerns…..

Re: 8BA Centerforce clutch
 

Tim: I don't see how a throw-out bearing can get anywhere near the outside counterweights that increase clutch holding pressure? Maybe it was an issue with the clutch forks getting hung up with too much weight on the outside causing them to not return as they should at very high RPMs (while letting the clutch back in)?

While the counterweights are designed to use centrifugal force for added pressure - such that you may not need as much spring pressure and resulting clutch pedal pressure, you'll probably not need them for a stock or mild performance street application.

Our flatheads are not high HP/Torque engines as compared to many OHV designs.

Here is a little document from McLeod that shows the added clamping force related to "configurable" counterweights:

Attachment 553788

Re: 8BA Centerforce clutch
 

Have you seen a Centerforce pressure plate? There are weights that attach to a steel ring that slide up and down the diaphragms fingers depending on the RPM.

Hard to gauge what you're getting at with your post.

Re: 8BA Centerforce clutch
 

Dale,

Not sure what to say. When he took it apart, that's what he found. I'm taking about the weights Centerforce adds to the diaphragm clutches, not the weights on the arms on a Long style pressure plate.

Maybe the ring the weights attach to failed or something else. I have not noticed any ill effects when removing the weights from mine.

Tim

Re: 8BA Centerforce clutch
 

Re: 8BA Centerforce clutch
 

I checked the flywheel bolts in the new centerforce flywheel and the bolts have play on the shoulders. The dowels are pretty tight but that play on the bolts gives me concerns. I am leaning towards running a stock flywheel and pressure plate as I know this is a critical build area for a vibration free build.

JB

Re: 8BA Centerforce clutch
 

Re: 8BA Centerforce clutch
 

Thanks Gene, so you used the Centerforce flywheel with the original flywheel bolts and no issues with clutch interference or anything?

JB

Re: 8BA Centerforce clutch
 

Tim: I think we were talking about two different clutches - I was speaking about Long style clutches . . . so I was off-base given the one shown above.

With that said, if the big ole' vintage Ford throw-out bearing hits those weights on the diaphragm tongues/forks, there will be serious issues. I would always check my throughout bearing against the clutch design.

Also, notice that this particular diaphragm clutch has forks/fingers with raised ends on them (bent up and radiused at the ends) - this enables this clutch to work with wide Ford throw-out bearings and NOT have the outer edge of the throw-out bearing hit the forks outside of the initial contact area.

Many/most diaphragm clutch plates cannot be used with our big/wide throw-out bearings - as the bearing outer edges will contact the fingers 1/2 way down them and cause issues. Do, make sure that when you select a diaphragm clutch that it is designed for the transmission and throw-out bearing style and dimensions you are using. Most diaphragm clutches are designed for late-model stuff . . . not our early stuff.

I've had to send a throw-out bearing to a clutch manufacturer so they could exercise it on a clutch press - so they could see the interference issue.

Thanks everybody for the good posts!

B&S

Re: 8BA Centerforce clutch
 

check youtube

Re: 8BA Centerforce clutch
 

I used ARP bolts with larger, thinner flat 12 point head. No issues.

Re: 8BA Centerforce clutch
 

Much like Gene, I use my clutch HARD. Recently at TROG, I was starting out in 2nd. Rev'd the engine to about 3.5-4K and side stepped the clutch. This was in sand, but still no slipping or ill effects. Worked great.

Re: 8BA Centerforce clutch
 

Re: 8BA Centerforce clutch
 

I bought a set of 7/16-20 7/8 thin head bolts. I will let the machine shop decide which fits best.

JB

Re: 8BA Centerforce clutch
 

I’m actually friends with Michael Hays. I have a DF setup on my ‘66 Mustang race car. I got it the year those debuted at the SEMA show. From 1991-2020 I was in the aftermarket industry. I find the story about the weights on a DF pressure plate hitting a release bearing “interesting,” to say the least. I’d have been on the phone with Midway PDQ.
Funny thing about these forums. You never know who’s on them, eh?

Re: 8BA Centerforce clutch
 

Yeah. It was odd, but the clutch was certainly stuck due to the throw out bearing being entangled in the sliding weights of the pressure plate. It happened at TROG a few years back. Car was crazy fast Model A sedan

Upon tearing down, that's what he found. Obviously there was a failure somewhere.

Re: 8BA Centerforce clutch
 

Given the diameter of the standard 32 - 48 Ford throw-out bearing, it may have caught on those weights (that would not surprise me).

One has to be really careful when using these wide throw-out bearings on any diaphragm type clutch. I would surely check for any potential interference before an installation.

Most of these pressure plates were surely NOT designed specifically for our Flathead Ford engines and associated parts!

Re: 8BA Centerforce clutch
 

Anything is possible. Before installing mine, I made sure. There was enough clearance, but my buddy's ordeal was too fresh to take a chance, so I removed them.

Re: 8BA Centerforce clutch
 

Tim: Did he take any pictures of the issue? If so, I'd sure like to see them!

Re: 8BA Centerforce clutch
 

I went through my parts stash and even though I have a nice core flywheel, nos ring gear, and a rebuilt original pressure plate I am going to run the Centerforce setup. The parts just look too nice to not. I tested a throw out on the pressure plate and it hits the fingers nicely. Hopefully it balances out well at the machine shop. Will keep everyone posted on the build

JB

Re: 8BA Centerforce clutch
 

Dale, I'll ask, but I'd doubt it. They tore it down in the parking after the run when it got stuck.

Re: 8BA Centerforce clutch
 

I removed the ring and weights from my Centerforce PP after they told me the weights were only needed for high power cars and were not needed with a flathead.

Re: 8BA Centerforce clutch
 

THEY being the Centerforce folks?

Re: 8BA Centerforce clutch
 

That makes sense . . . but one wonders why the heck they'd supply it that way if it wasn't needed.

Re: 8BA Centerforce clutch
 

I was told it would be fine to remove the weights over the phone from a CF tech.

The PP must fit other applications that would benefit from the weight

Been running my CF diaphragm PP since 2019 without any issues.