For years I used a stock Spitfire clutch. After I began to upgrade the
engine, the clutch seemed more stressed, including a couple of clutch disk
failures -- shedding the facing material entirely and even twisting the
center right out of the disk (which I did more than once). Obviously
slipping was not the problem, but other forces were.
An easy fix turned out to be competition clutch disks that were solid in the
center (not slotted, no springs). The only "problem" was learning to slip
the clutch intentionally as it would grab immediately -- if revs weren't up
it'd stall and kill the engine. Tricky driving it back on the trailer, for
example, but eventually I learned how (or it would wear in enough to become
easier).
--Rocky Entriken
----- Original Message -----
From: "Barr, Scott" <sbarr@McCarty-Law.com>
To: <fot@autox.team.net>
Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2012 8:06 AM
Subject: [Fot] Clutch suggestions?
Since we built my Spitfire in 2003, I've been using the stock clutch and
pressure plate. Late last season, Mr. Barker did a head for me. Since
then, I've had a little clutch slip. This is a pretty new clutch plate,
but the pressure plate is of unknown age - has worked fine to date, but
everything wears out eventually, right?
Any thoughts on the cause? Is it likely the increased torque/HP is just
overpowering the clutch? The new motor should be putting out something
like 110-115HP, based on Mr. Barker's estimate. Is that beyond what the
stock clutch can handle?
Options: (1) buy a new stock pressure plate and clutch disk and see how
it goes; (2) upgrade to some sort of competition clutch; or (3) get used
to that nasty clutch smell. Other options I'm not considering?
I'd like to stay as close to stock as possible if I need to upgrade.
Any thoughts on upgrade options?
Scott B.
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