V8 Clutch for model A

Al 29Tudor

Al 29Tudor

Well-known member
Can anyone tell me what the advantage of using a V8 clutch is over a stock clutch?
Someone said you can use the V8 clutch and lightent the flywheel.
Thanks for any guigance you can offer.
Al
 
It's supposed to make shifting easier and give you better service with less problems (stuck clutch disk, etc.) My coupe has one but I bought it that way and never drove an A with the original clutch, so I really can't compare. I think I'll have less problems fixing anything that goes wrong though, as the lightened flywheel makes it easier for an old man to put things back together, even with centering dowels.
 
Supposed to be less pressure depresssi8ng the clutch, but I never noticed the difference. You can also lighten a stock clutch, although more metal is taken off the V8 setup in order to accomodate the V8 pressure plate. Also with the correct V8 pressure plate (not the tractor plate) the pressure on the clutch disc is greater as speed increases. I have V8 on my speedster with a '39 trans, stock on my RPU. I would not go the the expense on a stock car.
 
The V8 clutch is easier to push and is smoother. Less chance of chatter. The original clutch is fine if in good shape and correctly adjusted.

The lighter flywheel will provide better acceleration especially in low gear. There is more rotational vibration. The dynamics are complicated but with the original flywheel the torsional vibrations in the crankshaft are not transferred to the transmission but with the lighter flywheel the torsional vibrations are. Not noticeable at higher rpm but you can tell the difference at lower rpm. The transmission is easier to shift with the lighter flywheel because the engine speed will slow down faster when shifting up and the engine will spool up faster when double clutching for a down shift.
 
I installed a V8 clutch and lightened flywheel with the most recent engine rebuild, and I cannot tell any difference - clutch operation or acceleration - from the stock Model A clutch and flywheel the car previously had. I don’t think I’ll make this change on the next car I’m working on.

Jim
 
I've used V8 clutches and light flywheels for years, with good luck. On the last 2 engines I did for myself I used a diaphragm clutch from a Ford Ranger pickup. They feel about the same but totally eliminate chatter problems.
 
I have been using a lightened flywheel and v8 clutch for many years, and love it. The car spools up much faster when taking off from a light, and it requires much less pedal effort to press the clutch.

And you have removed about 30 lbs of dead weight off the car.
 
I have 4 Model As and one of them is fitted with the V8 clutch. I can never remember which one but I soon know when I get into the right one. My left foot hits the floor with a bang when I press the clutch for the first time after I choose that car.
My wife and I go on some very long tours (just did one of 7,000 miles) and I usually do all of the driving. She has now started to want to do some driving and I'm all for it. For her, I will change that car to V8 clutch for the light pedal pressure. I'm sure she will find it much easier, especially in a town.
 
I had the V-8 clutch and lightened flywheel installed right after I bought my A about 15 years ago, and have never regretted it. I recently drove a friends stock Model A and the clutch pressure on the pedal was much higher on his. I would do it again…..
 
Keep in mind that the clutch discs that are made today are of the V8 style with springs that reduce chatter. The pressure plate on the other hand is a separate story as covered before. If you want the best of both worlds, put on a new forged clutch arm. They reduce the length of travel and won't crack like the originals.
 
Hello Jim, Do you remember or know the part number of the diaphragm clutch or the year of the Ford Ranger pickup? What is the bolt mounting pattern like or is it the same as the early V8?
You answer is appreciated.
Sofield
 
Ford offers 9 1/4" diaphragm clutches with different bolt patterns.
The Ranger ones I have looked at have 6 fairly equal distance mounting holes.
There was a Mustang that had 3 pairs spaced very closely to the 9" V8 clutch.
I just had one in the shop here, the owner just wallered out the holes to fit (wallered is a technical term for filed or ground by eyeball)
I drill the flywheels with dual patterns, one for 9" and one for the 9 1/4" with dowel pins.
This is the application;
FORD MUSTANG 1983-1986
FORD THUNDERBIRD 1983-1988
MERCURY CAPRI 1983-1985
MERCURY COUGAR 1985-1986

John
 
sofield said:
Hello Jim, Do you remember or know the part number of the diaphragm clutch or the year of the Ford Ranger pickup? What is the bolt mounting pattern like or is it the same as the early V8?
You answer is appreciated.
Sofield
Click to expand...

Hi Sofield,

I'm in the process of installing the Tremec T170 trans in my PU and am using the T-Bird (diaphragm) clutch.

This kit has the correct clutch disk for the T170 trans, 9" x 1-1/6-10 spline but I believe this clutch cover (pressure plate) can be used with a stock Model A clutch disk.

https://www.exedyusa.com/browse?search=07038

The bolt pattern is not the same as the early V8 as by the 1980s (and beyond) things were converting to metric.

Attached are the bolt patterns for the T-Bird & Long Style pressure plates. The T-Bird bolt pattern I had to measure and extrapolate as I couldn't find it anywhere online. The Long Style pressure plate bolt pattern I found online.
After I drilled my flywheel, the T-Bird PP fit right over the dowels and the bolts fit without any interference on the holes, in other words, my extrapolated bolt pattern is correct.

The dowel pin/bolt kits for the T-Bird PP are metric. I opted to only use the dowel pins and substituted the bolts for ARP 5/16-24 x .75" bolts.

Tom
 

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  • T-Bird PP on Model A Flywheel.pdf
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Last edited:
sofield said:
Hello Jim, Do you remember or know the part number of the diaphragm clutch or the year of the Ford Ranger pickup? What is the bolt mounting pattern like or is it the same as the early V8?
You answer is appreciated.
Sofield
Click to expand...

These may be Clutch Masters part numbers???

07017D clutch kit 9" Ford diaphragm. The Model A disc works well as-is. My memory tells me that I used the V8 TO bearing. The first diaphragm clutch I did was from a Mustang, for a higher horsepower engine that I was running. I had to use a rounded TO brg. in it, but the Ranger has contoured fingers, so a flat brg. works well.

They charged me $185 for the PP, $20 for grinding the flywheel, I furnished an already lightened wheel, and $80 to drill and tap the wheel. The hole pattern looks the same as an early Ford PP, but isn't.

I've had this done twice, and both are super smooth. My tudor chattered very badly, the diaphragm eliminated all of that.

Read John's post #12, he posted more info on this.

Good luck, Jim
 
Lawrie said:
What clutch disc do you use that fits the A input shaft.
Lawrie
Click to expand...

The original Model A disc or V8 work just fine. I've found over the years that discs with springs in them tend to break springs when you put a lot of horsepower to them. I now use the early A disc with no springs in them.
 
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