Need clutch help

[centerlineseal]

We fired up the ramjet and drove the beast all of a quarter mile. Clutch works on launch in first gear, for a slow cruise, but will not allow shifting to 2nd. Allows us into neutral, then won't allow back into any gear, unless turn off motor and restart. Bled the hell out of the clutch master and adjusted the clutch rod out quite a bit longer. Throw out bearing is now sliding on shaft about 7/16", which the centerforce rep says is ideal.

Now another problem. One of the weights on the centerforce clutch arrangement has broken off. We think we may have over adjusted the TO bearing throw and we now have to remove tranny and clutch and can apparently remove the weight system in its entirety and still use the clutch.

We have no answer yet as to why clutch didn't work in the first place. Maybe will learn something on removal,

like perhaps we put the friction plate in backwards?

or the centerforce clutch was flawed?

somethin' else?

Anyone have any experience with these clutches, or advice at this point?

 

[Poser]

like perhaps we put the friction plate in backwards?

That would do it, everytime.

 

[centerlineseal]

Didn't happen! Clutch is out and was assembled correctly. Found evidence of weights scoring the pressure plate springs (Explains the funny noises we heard while clutch engaged and why the one weight broke off.) All weights were scored as well.

We removed the entire weight system and are going to reassemble. (CF tech guy says thats OK, but the info that came with the clutch said not to remove the weights). We'll know if this works in a few hours.

It appears that the centerforce clutch with weights does not allow the TO bearing to throw far enough to fully disengage the clutch. We bought it all from Advance, (bell housing, clutch and TO bearing) so are a bit perplexed.

This is going in front of an H55f five speed. Could that have been a problem?

I can download pics this evening if anyone interested.

 

[Michael Hanson]

Id go Aisian clutch ! 2 cents Mike

 

[centerlineseal]

Can you get an Aisin clutch that fits an 11" GMC flywheel?

 

[Michael Hanson]

I dont know,just like their clutches,I do know they are good and Ive never had a problem. Mike

 

[Michael Hanson]

They are owned by Honda,give it a try.

 

[inkpot]

Howdy! You may need just a bit more throw in the clutch fork. I have done 2 conversions with Centerforce, and I really like them. I did have problems with the AA slave bracket bending just a bit, reducing the total clutch throw. I welded it up a bunch, and now it is very solid. Also, the old Chevy cast iron clutch fork has two holes in the outer end. I set my junk up so the slave push rod goes to the inner hole. It helps on the geometry, and it is still easy to push the pedal. I did shorten a stamped Chevy clutch fork by about 1.5", and it does work better than stock that way, but it is tedious to do. I have also seen the slave push rod bend on Chevy clutches. I made my own out of grade 8 allthread. Just grind it down to match the OEM on the one end, and I used double lug nuts (jamb nuts) on both sides of the clutch fork. Easy to adjust and very solid. HTH John

 

[centerlineseal]

Ok. Everything put back together (three guys, 6 hours, in and out). Clutch is same Centerforce WITHOUT the clutch finger weight system, as we removed those per the advice of the CF tech guy. Went thru all gears wth engine lit and a little back and forth in the shop.

Preliminarily, removing the weight system solved our problem. Now time for

Will drive in next few days and finalize fix, and post up some pics.

 

[orangefj45]

the weight system is designed to increase the apply pressure under load. centerforce clutches are re-worked LUK clutches ( in general ) and are primarily designed for high rpm, high torque applications. removing the weights should not matter a whole lot in a cruiser.

 

[centerlineseal]

Confirmed! With weight system removed, clutch operated as per expectations. Don't know why Advance Adapters sold us a clutch with weights.