Custom Flywheel / Clutch Question

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slantsix
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Custom Flywheel / Clutch Question

Post by slantsix »

Hi Guys,

I am in the process of putting a new clutch / PP in my 79 Volare - THis is a pretty straight forward job for me as I have done the trans swap / clutch install a few times..


The issue here is I had a flywheel custom made a few years back - It's Aluminum with a steel friction insert on it:
Image

The steel insert is 9" in outside Diamater...
Image


Problem is the Clutch and Press Plate I would like to use is a 10" setup.
Image

If I go ahead and use the clutch and pressure plate 1/2" of the clutch disc will overhang the Steel insert.

I was wondering if this will cause any problems or If I can even attempt to install the parts like this.

I do have other options for flywheels - I wanted to try to use this one if I could as I had it on the shelf - THe other options require more cash to be $pent..

Thanks for your insights!


Greg
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theholycow
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Re: Custom Flywheel / Clutch Question

Post by theholycow »

Is the steel insert flush with the aluminum, inset so the aluminum sticks up around it, or sticking up so it's thicker than the aluminum?

Flush: Probably would work. Aluminum will probably wear off slightly ahead of the steel insert.
Aluminum sticking up: Might work but I'd put it on a lathe until it's flush.
Steel sticking up: Ought to be fine at first, but eventually when the clutch wears it will have a ridge that may snag on the flywheel's matching ridge, could have unpredictable results at that time.

I went the other way. I have a 10.4" flywheel and ~9" clutch...there are no smaller flywheels that fit my engine, and the only 10.4" clutches to fit my transmission are $200+ custom jobs made for a specific similar uncommon application.
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Shadow
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Re: Custom Flywheel / Clutch Question

Post by Shadow »

I did something similar with a friend on his Toyota Supra. It worked fine at first, but ended up chattering quite a bit after a while. It was still completely driveable, but the clutch chatter did get annoying and we ended up swapping the whole thing back out.
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slantsix
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Re: Custom Flywheel / Clutch Question

Post by slantsix »

The Steel Insert is a few ~.020" higher than the AL on the edge.. I would assume that after a while the steel would wear down and then be flush with the Aluminum.

Thanks for the insight.

Greg
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theholycow
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Re: Custom Flywheel / Clutch Question

Post by theholycow »

The clutch will wear faster than the steel. It'll probably be fine but I can imagine some difficulties. I'd probably throw it together and find out for myself. :twisted: Make sure your pilot bushing/bearing is a perfect fit for the input shaft...if it can wiggle then that ridge that'll develop could become annoying in some way.
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