Pressure Plate Question

sanborn

sanborn

Senior Member
I am going to use a 50 Merc flywheel on my flathead engine. I don't have a pressure plate for a 50 Merc but I do have a new(but old) B&B pressure plate for a GM. It is a 10" Pressure Plate. My question is: Is their any difference between the Merc and the GM?

My concern is the clutch fingers----will it work with the Ford throwout bearing?
 
I think you will find the fingers too long to properly meet the throwout bearing, and perhaps long enough to interfere in the middle.
 
Interesting question; Because it has almost become impossible to find a "new" mercury pressure plate. The reliability of remanufactured pressure plates using parts that are 60 years old is questionable.
The GM pressure plates will bolt on a Merc flywheel, and the look simuliar. The GM throw-out bearing is approx. 2 1/2" on diameter. The Merc/Ford throw-out bearing is approx. 3 1/2" in diameter. This would make the pressure plate fingers different in lenght. As Bruce mentioned, possibly causing a conflict when the clutch is depressed.
Something else to think about is the Merc/Ford clutch disc is thicker than the GM disc. This could cause the clutch to drag, and make shifting difficult.
have fun
bh
 
These guys sell Merc pressure plates.
http://www.vapinc.com/clutch/pressureplates.html
Plus, give Fort Waynes clutch a call. I bet they can tell you what you need to know. When I installed the 53 Merc engine in my 40 I used the 10" Mercury pressure plate, flywheel and clutch disc. I reused the original 40 Ford throwout bearing. I am thinking the early 50's Ford pickup truck parts will work also, but am not sure.
 
It depends on what trans and thro out bearing you use. I believe 49 and 50 merc with B&B pressure plate use the early Ford big thro out bearing, 51 up used the thro out arm sticking out the side of the bellhousing and a small OD bearing so the fingers stick out further. Arrrrr what was the question? Walt
 
Mid 70s Like 75 or so Camarro uses a 9.5" diaphragm clutch that can be modified to work with the 3.5" T.O. bearing on a B&B type flywheel. Center Force makes one like this but the price is high. A good rebuilt B&B 49/E51 Merc clutch cover & disc will be less money. Later diaphragm type clutch disks would be easier to get new from the local auto parts but the T.O. Fingers would be special on the cover. That would have to be done by a rebuilder like Ft Wayne Clutch.
 
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