clutchplate just fits the flywheel, or not ??

[34 GAZ]

For my 99 Merc flathead i have a re-surfaced flywheel and new clutch plate. I think the springs in the clutchplate are to high. They are almost touching the four flywheel bolts. Then there is the issue of the edge of the springs just fitting inside the circle where the flywheel bolts are. Maybe just a hair difference in circumference. Once the clutchplate begins to wear down i believe there will be contact with the four bolts. See the red lines in the photo. Yes, i have the clutchplate facing the correct way. So i wonder if i might have a clutchplate for another type Ford. This one is 10 inch to match the pressure plate bolt holes, splines fit OK too. Any opinions ???

[tinkirk]

You can take .050 off the head of the bolts


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[51 MERC-CT]

Seem to recall someone with the same issue.
Believe the springs were offset to one side.
In that case flipped the plate to correct

[Flathead]

What is the diameter of that clutch disc?

Whoops, I just realized it is 10"

[34 GAZ]

I can,t flip the clutch disc as the centre boss /spline protrudes at least a half inch more on the other side. I suppose i could use self-locking flywheel bolts as they have a smaller head ( no holes for the wire ) so my main concern is why is it a tight fit in the flywheel hole ?

[cas3]

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wonder if the flywheel has been surfaced to death?

[tinkirk]

Flywheel probably gas been resurfaced a little to much
You could get ARP flywheel bolts and lock tight them


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[cadillac512]

34 Gaz-


I looked at two clutch discs I have...both used. Both of mine have the springs below a straight edge laid across the disc facing. One is about 1 mm and the other over 2 mm. No way will they ever touch the bolt heads. Also, mine do not have the spring seat areas shaped the way yours are. Mine has no angled raised edges to retain the damping springs...just slots with flat edges not raised at all, which makes the diameter in that area a bit less so it can't hit the flywheel opening. you could open that area up a bit...won't hurt the flywheel any. It has a thin lip there, correct?


Terry

[Kube]

Most certainly the flywheel has been ground too much. You can overcome the interference as has been advised previously.
Once the flywheel is this far "gone" I search out one with more life.
Not a huge deal (probably not) but the plate will start out further away from the bearing. That equates to less usable life to the clutch assembly.
Plus, as the disc wears, how long until it's hitting the bolts again?
Flywheels are typically cheap as they cost so much to ship. If it were me, I'd search out a better one. Ask for the depth (accurate measurement) from the face to the bottom of the "pocket". You can then compare to what you have.
If the replacement needs to be ground (most likely) allow .015" - .025".

[Andy]

FYI, I have a very nice 10” flywheel in the classified now.

[aussie merc]

i would say game over for that flywheel taking a little of the bolt heads may work for a while but you would need a straightedge over the boltheads to gauge the clearance could be a lot of work for little result new flywheels aren't that hard to find know what i would be doing

[Mart]

34GAZ is in Holland so anything in the USA would be an expensive shipping proposal. Henry, do you know the actual clearances you have, or are you already experiencing a foul condition? (Maybe use plasticene to check??)

[34 GAZ]

G'day Mart, I,ve just checked a few of my other flywheels and they are pretty much all the same depth where the four bolts go. No drastic differences. I believe Cadillac512 has the answer. Those raised edges around the springs are almost tight against the small circle. The springs are even a little higher above the clutch disc surface. Opening up the circle would solve the side clearance issue but not the height of the springs to the flywheel bolt clearance. So this clutch disc will go on the shelf and i,ll find one with a bit of depth in the centre. We have a few good vintage parts suppliers here in The Netherlands with up to date stocks.

BTW, this new 10 inch clutch disc was in the same box with a new 10 inch pressure plate in a load of pre-war Ford parts i bought a few years ago. That new pressure plate has no counter-weights on the three arms for the throwout bearing. The pressureplate fits the six bolt holes on the flywheel.

[Terry,OH]

The original PP and clutch were 9 inch. Not that that makes a difference. The PP should have the fly weights on the three arms. The weights create extra force against the clutch as engine RPM increases. The weights usually do not interfere with the bell housing casting for a 10" clutch but it is worth checking out. Is there anything under the fly wheel bolts that would make them extra tall? Like lock washers or a thick plate that retains the crank shaft dowel? What you have pictured above looks good to my eyes, the clutch plate springs are necessary. The clutch will typically wear down to the rivets. If you measure that depth and add it to the head of the bolts with a glue you can find out if the spring will touch the bolt head as the clutch wears.

[tubman]

Unless I misunderstand you, it sounds to me like you have an incorrect disc. You say yourself "it was in the same box with a new 10 inch pressure plate in a load of pre-war Ford parts i bought a few years ago". That sounds to me like you bought a bunch of parts from someone who said they were Ford parts, but are you sure? Since you say "we have a few good vintage parts suppliers here in The Netherlands with up to date stocks" it should be possible to check what you have with a known correct part and be sure.

[cas3]

i have always heard the PP's with no counter weights are for a ford tractor, FWIW

[Desoto291Hemi]

I’m with Tubman,,, (Denny ) .
Check it against another new one,,,,or a good old one .

Tommy

[V8 Bob]

I ran into a similar clearance issue with my new steel flywheel and aftermarket clutch. I was reluctant on grinding down flywheel bolts, so contacted ARP and bought bolts that have a reduced head height. Also removed the flathead flywheel locating dowel retainer that gained over .050". Just lightly stake the dowels to prevent any movement. Overall gain was over .100" that resulted in the extra spring clearance I needed.

[Kurt in NJ]

Every time I look at the pictures it seems that the inner diameter of the disc looks large, what looks like a wear pattern on the flywheel looks smaller than the lining on that disc,

[aussie merc]

just a 2nd thought you could have the wrong clutch assm for the flywheel double check the pressure plate surface the lining should be slightly smaller than the pressure plate not the same size im actually wondering if you have a 9" flywheel and a 10" clutch disc Take the flywheel and clutch ass to whoever ground the flywheel for you and see if they say its the correct clutch or if they can supply the correct one for you also do you have the one that came off the engine if so take that with you so they can match it up