Replacing Clutch
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 10
From: Cascade Maryland
Originally Posted by achapman
I have had good luck with Luk and with Centerforce. Probably would go with Centerforce..... 
http://www.centerforce.com/
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
Originally Posted by PTighe
I have a Centerforce One in my '67, never had any problems with it. Also, they are not cheap, but I think the design is cutting edge. As far as Luk goes, I never could find a website for them, who makes them; are they new or rebuilt? PT
http://www.centerforce.com/
http://www.centerforce.com/
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,345
Likes: 87
From: Northern MN
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15-'16-'17
JohnZ
Got a question for you. When I originally rebuilt my 427 back in 1980 I used the original flywheel and bolts after replacing the clutch, pressure plate and throwout bearing. The trans had been damaged prior to my purchase of the vehicle so I assume that someone else had made some changes in the clutch, pressure plate and throwout bearing prior to my replacement of these items. I decided this last year to replace the clutch, pressure plate and bearing again. I also decided to replace the flywheel bolts. The units I purchased did not have any type of lock washers, my originals did not have any either. I put the items in and everything seemed fine on initial start up. However, since that time the clutch will make some noise when I start to release the pedal, but only in reverse. The flywheel was resurfaced and I washed it with soap and water. The clutch disk was clean and the pressure plate was also washed. Any idea what might cause this? Also, do you know, did the orginal 390 hp come with some type of retainer washer for the flywheel bolts from the factory? I would sure as hell hate for the flywheel to come out of the car at RPM. Thanks.
Got a question for you. When I originally rebuilt my 427 back in 1980 I used the original flywheel and bolts after replacing the clutch, pressure plate and throwout bearing. The trans had been damaged prior to my purchase of the vehicle so I assume that someone else had made some changes in the clutch, pressure plate and throwout bearing prior to my replacement of these items. I decided this last year to replace the clutch, pressure plate and bearing again. I also decided to replace the flywheel bolts. The units I purchased did not have any type of lock washers, my originals did not have any either. I put the items in and everything seemed fine on initial start up. However, since that time the clutch will make some noise when I start to release the pedal, but only in reverse. The flywheel was resurfaced and I washed it with soap and water. The clutch disk was clean and the pressure plate was also washed. Any idea what might cause this? Also, do you know, did the orginal 390 hp come with some type of retainer washer for the flywheel bolts from the factory? I would sure as hell hate for the flywheel to come out of the car at RPM. Thanks.
Last edited by 66BlkBB; Jan 14, 2006 at 10:26 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
I've gained some experience with clutch and flywheel replacement working on my SS396 Chevelle. After some trial and error - mostly error until I learned enough about this - it now has a new CenterForce DF clutch and pressure plate.
While I was at it, although the old flywheel looked good, I replaced the flywheel with a new CenterForce unit. Bolts used are ARP. I have confidence in this set up, and it works very well.
Apply thread locker (blue should do) to the flywheel and pressure plate bolts. And torque carefully. While you are in there, you might want to replace the pilot bushing on the end of the crank.
David
While I was at it, although the old flywheel looked good, I replaced the flywheel with a new CenterForce unit. Bolts used are ARP. I have confidence in this set up, and it works very well.
Apply thread locker (blue should do) to the flywheel and pressure plate bolts. And torque carefully. While you are in there, you might want to replace the pilot bushing on the end of the crank.
David
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,470
Likes: 1,548
From: Camp Verde AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
2017 C1 of Year Finalist
You would have to change your flywheel to 14" (and bell and starter nose), but the Chev dual disc clutch used on the '71 454 will never wear out. It is not the best for drag racing, though. If your BB is not a 454, then get a non-counterweighted 14" flywheel
Other than that, the 10.5" ZL-1 rag and pressure plate is unbeatable.
My hard won experience is that GM parts generally offer you better quality than aftermarket, often at a lesser price.
Doug
Other than that, the 10.5" ZL-1 rag and pressure plate is unbeatable.
My hard won experience is that GM parts generally offer you better quality than aftermarket, often at a lesser price.
Doug
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
Originally Posted by 66BlkBB
JohnZ
Also, do you know, did the orginal 390 hp come with some type of retainer washer for the flywheel bolts from the factory? I would sure as hell hate for the flywheel to come out of the car at RPM. Thanks.
Also, do you know, did the orginal 390 hp come with some type of retainer washer for the flywheel bolts from the factory? I would sure as hell hate for the flywheel to come out of the car at RPM. Thanks.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,345
Likes: 87
From: Northern MN
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15-'16-'17
JohnZ
The ones I purchased were specifically for this application. They did not come with any type of washer so I assumed that they were correct with the original application. Since I know I torqued them to spec's I have to believe that something is amiss in the clutch/pressure plate area. May have to pull apart again. Thanks for the help.
The ones I purchased were specifically for this application. They did not come with any type of washer so I assumed that they were correct with the original application. Since I know I torqued them to spec's I have to believe that something is amiss in the clutch/pressure plate area. May have to pull apart again. Thanks for the help.