Lets talk about clutches.

Bassman/NZ

Bassman/NZ

Well-known member
My 59A came with an 11" clutch, which I believe is a truck clutch. I'm told it's gonna give me a left leg like Popeye. Because my wife is likely going to drive this car as well, I'm thinking I should shoot for a 9" or 10". If I use the smaller plate with the 11" cover will that reduce the pressure at all, or is the pressure mainly in the cover? Just trying to get a handle on this.
Marty.
 
The pressure is in the pressure plate. I just had an 11in. flywheel redrilled and balanced for a 9in. clutch and plate. It's going in a 59AB into a Model A pickup. The 11in. setup is awfull heavy for a light car, it was made for a big truck. Walt
 
while we`re on the subject of clutches, i like to ask any of our "senior" members if they have any practical experience with an "auburn" clutch. i`m planning to use a 9" auburn clutch on an aluminum flywheel in a highboy roadster behind a stout flathead. i`ve collected a ton of vintage parts for this car, and i`m just wondering if i`m traveling down the right road with this clutch set-up. thanx.
 
If you do go with a 10 in. clutch, I have been told the new ones come from China and are not very good. Others may have comments on this.

I have been using Rebuilt Clutches from Ft Wayne Clutch with very good success. (800) 258-8243. The guy who runs the company is a car guy and understands not to put heavy springs in the clutches unless that is what the customer wants. I have found they work well and are "Soft" like the factory clutches. I have been using their clutches for more then 20 Years.

I do think you are smart NOT to install an 11 in. Clutch. I am thinking that a 9 in. may be a little light.

What car are you installing the engine in?

Chris
 
You sure are on the right path. I always run a 9" Auburn clutch behind all my flatties, trouble free, really nice action. Can't comment on the ally flywheel, I always use a shaved stocker [9" with the lip machined off. Brian
 
I shaved the lip off of a 9" flywheel, when I weighed it' it was very cloce to a 10" flywheel (of unknown past machining)... Karl
 
Actually Karl I'd have thought it would be somewhat lighter. The forward facing face of the lipped flywheels is recessed, whereas the later 10" and 11" flywheels are pretty well straight, so once the lip is machined off the total weight should be less. Combine that weight with the smaller mass of the 9" clutch set up and you've got a good setup for accellerating the vehicle down the road. My opinion only, Brian
 
Brian, you are right on shaving the lip off the old 9in. wheels. This lip takes 10# off the wheel and they are all drilled for the 9in. set up. I try to pick up all the 35-42 wheel I find. It cost money to have later wheels redrilled and balanced. BTW, I get all my clutch set upd from Whyne Indiana Co. Walt
 
Ft. Wayne Clutch will build you any kind of clutch you want for whatever application you have in mind. Good people who do quality work and don't gouge you , pricewise. You might want to give them a call and discuss what you're looking for. OMO
 
I have a 47 truck engine in my 36 with a 11 in. clutch. It is the smoothest acting clutch in any of my fords. The pedal pressure is no more than a 9.5 that I have in another car.
 
FWIW, back in the days, with an olds engine adapted to 39 trans, used an 11" truck pp w 10.5 clutch disc, but w/hyd slave cyl,
Paul in CT
 
I don't think pedal presure is too big an issue with any of the Long type 11 inch clutches unless you have some rpm still there when you push the pedal. Weight is the big factor with them. Damn things are heavy and you can't take much off either.

Kerby
 
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