Lightened Flywheel and V8 Clutch Change?
 

This afternoon I installed a rebuilt engine with inserts, a 38 pound flywheel and V8 pressure plate. Also installed a new sleeve and throwout bearing. I knew I'd have to adjust the clutch, but was surprized that the pedal went all the way to the floor without disengaging the disc. I was just wondering how much difference you guys find when doing this change from a stock clutch? I'll be back at the owner's house on Monday to finish the job and I hope the link has enough adjustment for an inch of freeplay.:)

Re: Lightened Flywheel and V8 Clutch Change?
 

Tom you did it on my car with no problems at all.....

Re: Lightened Flywheel and V8 Clutch Change?
 

Tom,

I recently installed a new V8 Pressure Plate (from Brattons) and a lightened fly wheel in a friend 30 Coupe; the clutch disc wouldn't release when the clutch pedal was depressed.

I had made this same conversion on my A and had no problems with adjustment and disc release.


When I depressed the clutch pedal on the new conversion it wouldn't release the disc.

We pulled the engine and inspected the pressure plate, flywheel, and clutch disc; after taking measurements discovered the snout of the throw out bearing sleeve was pushing aginst the clutch disc when the clutch pedal was dipressed. I removed 1/4" from the sleeve, rechamfered the inside end of the sleeve, reinstalled everything and the clutch worked just fine. A V8 pressure plate should release with only 3/8" to 1/2"maximun travel of the fingers and the pressure plate checked out OK.

Frankly, I have not determined why we had this problem.

Maybe someone else has the answer ?

Ron

Re: Lightened Flywheel and V8 Clutch Change?
 

I just bolted mine up.

sorry not much help...
keep us posted what you find

Re: Lightened Flywheel and V8 Clutch Change?
 

Tom, I vaguely recall having to extend the thread on the link to get the proper freeplay.

Re: Lightened Flywheel and V8 Clutch Change?
 

I just talked to the engine builder and he said the same thing. I'll find out on Monday, when I adjust it. It has quite a few threads to go, so it might be OK.:)

Re: Lightened Flywheel and V8 Clutch Change?
 

Tom, I have sold probably 50-75 setups like this and have only had 2 with problems. One was out of adjustment and would slip when running, I replaced the assembly which was checked on a clutch machine and sold to another who had no problems. The other was a clutch disk that wouldn't fit the input shaft. This disk was replaced with a disk from Sacramento Vintage that fit fine. The original was sold to someone else for use in a stock setup and gave no problem. This is to say that, sometimes it is attributed to other original components that just don't mix well. I think yours is because someone has adjusted the original to make up for wear and will need to be adjusted only. Remember, the adjuster only has to turn about 1 round to move the pedal quite a way.

Re: Lightened Flywheel and V8 Clutch Change?
 

I got mine from james, have not had any problems works great.

Re: Lightened Flywheel and V8 Clutch Change?
 

I finished the job today and adjusted the clutch. The adjustment still has 1/4" of threads left, so all is well. :)
I just figured if the V8 clutch is that much different adjustment than the stock clutch, someone would have mentioned it in the past.

Too much snow and road salt to take it out for a test drive, but the engine sounds really good. At first while cranking there was a scraping noise, like the fan hitting something. The aluminum fan had good clearance, but the mount for the alternator is kind of a flip flop affair, and when it was bolted with the top of the H to the outside, the alternator cooling fan hit the corner of the bracket. I had to tip the bracket inward and all if fine, as long as it doesn't work it's way back out.:mad:

Re: Lightened Flywheel and V8 Clutch Change?
 

OMG I must be hallucinating!! :eek: Tom W installing an alternator?? Tom, doesn't that thing make your skin burn, like a crucifix touching a vampire? :rolleyes:

Re: Lightened Flywheel and V8 Clutch Change?
 

What is the advantage of a V8 clutch vs a stock clutch?

Re: Lightened Flywheel and V8 Clutch Change?
 

:eek:

In all good fun.... that's hilarious right there:D

Re: Lightened Flywheel and V8 Clutch Change?
 

It certainly wasn't my car! We don't need no stinkin' alternator.:D

Ray, Some guys like the lightened flywheel and V8 clutch because it's lighter and the clutch is easier to push down the pedal.

Re: Lightened Flywheel and V8 Clutch Change?
 

I made my clutch release arm 3/4" longer & the stock clutch is much easier to depress.