Another Clutch Question?

R

Ron/IA

Well-known member
First, thank you to those who responded to my earlier clutch question. I now have a better perspective of the machining required.

My next question is: What is the reason for the following statement from the Bratton's catalog (in bold & underlined)? - V-8 PRESSURE PLATE - Helps reduce the amount of pressure needed to depress the clutch pedal by about 2/3rds. To use this, the crank must be counterbalanced and the flywheel must be machined. No changes in the way the clutch pedal is adjusted.

Are there A'ers out there who have used the V8 clutch without a counterbalanced crank? If so, what were your results?
 
I wonder if Bratton is assuming that all flywheels modified for the V8 clutch are also going to be further lightened. Most are, but they don't have to be. The step ring that must be removed for the V8 clutch weighs about 5-6 lbs, or less than 10% of the total OE flywheel weight. It's easy to remove another 25 lbs or so, and most people do that especially for use on counterbalanced cranks.

My feeling is that only the ring should be removed when it's going to be on a non-CB crank, and the slight reduction in rotating mass is of no consequence. Of the 30 or so flywheels I've machined, however, I think only about three have been done that way. The rest came in at around 35-38 lbs without ring gear.

Joe
 
Joe - Thank you for bringing to light what I thought might be the reason (lightened flywheel). It certainly makes sense to me.

I asked because maybe there was something I didn't know or could think of.

Thanks again,
 
Ron, my 29 coupe has a V-8 clutch and a lightened flywheel. The engine does NOT have a counterbalanced crank and it seems to run just fine. The pedal pressure is somewhat softer than the stock one on my roadster.
 
Barry - I was wondering if there was an A'er out there that had your combination of V8 clutch, lightened flywheel, and non-counterbalanced crank.

I am glad to hear it runs fine for you.

Right now I am leaning towards machining the flywheel just enough to accept the V8 clutch, but not lightening it any furthere than that. I know that a lightened flywheel enhances performance, but that isn't a priority for me at the moment.

Thanks again,
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top