[Tigers] Clutch choice

[Tom Hall]

At 12:21 PM 5/28/2008, you wrote:
>    Ok, I will openly admit that Im a natural blonde and therfore 
> prone to moments of not knowing where Im at, or even worse, where I 
> should be, like the Drs. office or wondering what the "wave in the 
> Marcel"is. SO, maybe someone would/could explain what the Marcel 
> is- Im thinking I understand about the ammount of travel available 
> for a stock syestem on a Tiger. Thanks ahead of time. regards, TonytheTiger

Tony,
The Marcels are the spring steel pieces that connect the clutch disk 
friction media to the splined center hub assembly.  The friction 
material is typically riveted to the Marcels form one side.  They 
have a curved shape in the media area to allow a progressive 
engagement as the pressure plate clamps down on the disc.  The amount 
of the curve determines how much distance is required to fully 
release the clutch. Too much and the physical limits of the Tiger 
hydraulic system require excessive pedal travel.  Too little and the 
clutch will chatter on engagement.

This is one of the reasons that a clutch designed for a Mustang will 
frequently not work successfully in a Tiger.  A Mustang typically has 
more movement available at the fork.  A bench test will tell you the 
release required by any clutch assembly.  Using the flywheel and 
clutch assembly, they are mounted in a press that will allow you to 
measure the travel of the clutch fingers (throw-out bearing).  Once 
the pressure plate touches the flywheel you start measuring.  For 
Tiger applications, the disc should release cleanly between 5/16 and 
3/8 (.312 to .375) of finger travel.  Any less and it is likely to 
chatter.  Any more, and you'll be pushing on the floorboard with the pedal.


Tom Hall
ModTiger Engineering LLC
www.tigerengineering.net