Clutch issue advice please

[bugsiegel]

Just received my new 11" clutch and when I go to install it the springs in the center are contacting the flywheel bolts not allowing the clutch surface to contact the flywheel.
I have photographed the old clutch plate next to the new one and you can see how much more BEEF there is on the old one which has about 1100 miles on it. The writing is still visible on the old pads. I'm in the process of switching to a t5 trans and so I had to change the clutch due to different spline count.
Take a look at how much the heavier springs on the new clutch ( right ) protrude past the contact surface.
Do I try to address by taking back the flywheel mounting surface or is that a can of worms?
I spoke to a local auto parts supplier and he was able to research an Astrovan clutch but it's not in stock anywhere for us to do a comparison. Is a 14 spline 11 inch clutch a common item or am I going to be chasing my tail for this locally.
The company who sold me the clutch said he'd take it back. He has another one in stock but on the phone we feel that the issue is the same with the next one.
Where's the BEEF?
When I put a straight edge across my flywheel and measure back to the bolts I get .169"

 

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

Are you sure your not putting the disc in backwards? With .169 clearance the bolts heads should have plenty of room. I have an 11in. truck clutch in my dragster, I sent the disc to Ford Wayne Clutch Co. and they installed a a Chevy spline in it for the heavy duty Chevy trans I have in it. Walt

 

[ken ct]

Hope you got a beefey left leg.your gonna be sorry in traffic. Not needed on a stock FH. ken ct omo.

 

[bugsiegel]

Ken,
what do you mean? I understand that the springs in the clutch hub only absorb vibration?
It is my understanding that the springs in the pressure plate are the ones that give resistance to the peddle. I have already driven 1500 or so miles on this pressure plate.
Am I misunderstanding how the clutch works?
Walt, here are photos of both sides of the new clutch.
Here are photo of the old clutch and the new one. The new one has springs inside springs. Why do I need all these springs?? They are taking up so much room. I also took the photo with a straight edge to show how little beef there is on the clutch surface. The springs are proud of this surface.
I think my issue is in the clutch not how much meat is left on my fly wheel. There's too much spring in this set up. Normal driving here not racing around and didn't ask for a racing/heavy duty clutch.

 

[Mr 42]

Do you have the right flywheelbolts?
Dont look like the one ive seen.

 

[rick r]

Try Cornhusker in Nebraska. He has a 10 inch disc with the 14 spline hub. If you are not drag racing etc. the 10 inch disc will work o k with with the 11 inch pressure plate. Had the same problem. I left off the thin metal disc that goes on the back of the flywheel and groung a bit off the flywheel bolt heads. probably not the proper fix, but no problems in 60,000 miles

 

[bugsiegel]

Just got off the phone ( answered the phone on Saturday) with Fort Wayne Clutch Co. Sounds like he knows what he's talking about. I ordered a replacement clutch. Should go out on Monday and I'll update when it arrives.