To diesel or not?

[Mike S]

...Blew up another clutch. This one lasted 112 miles. ...The motor is great so far. I just can't keep a clutch behind it.

Hey, Gumby. What are you running in that 60 that eats clutches like popcorn?

M

 

[Gumby]

6.2L with a Downey bellhousing and Downey's special p-plate.

I would bet the title that the current clutch looks just like the first one.

 

[Mike S]

Jeeez. Better quit doin' those wheelies...

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

Gumby that sucks! I would use a 6.2 disk with your Downey pressure plate then you will at least get a stronger disk. The disk does not have to match the pressure plate except in size, 11", 12" and such. I am pretty sure a 6.2 is a 12" clutch. I used a clutch for the Cummins 4BT and what showed up was a Chevy 454 clutch, same part number and all. Only thing was it was for a truck so it needed a lot of juice. If you PM orangeFJ45 he can get you a part number (and the clutch if you want it) for a low-throw 454 cltuch (something from a muscle car from the 70s I believe) that is powerful and strong but does not require a lot of juice to activate. I switched to a Wilwood 7/8" "high volume" brake master cyl as my clutch master, using the stock LC slave, and it works great. It was pretty stiff for a while but works awesome with the big 454 clutch, and it is really realyl strong, no slippage at all...

 

[Gumby]

I was unable to order just a 6.2L disc from my local source. They only carry the whole kit. The disc wasn't even available special order.

I'm finding the same thing on the web. Also I am finding that Centerforce clutch kits cost about $100 less than what Downey poked me for the one that exploded.
EDIT- Found a Centerforce disc only for $90. Same part number for the 454 as the 350 and nothing specific for the 6.2L


I could try throwing a better disc at it, but I'm getting pretty tired of chasing clutch problems at this point. I just don't enjoy driving manuals enough to justify it.