New flywheel, old clutch
 

The new 427 small block goes in the car this weekend. I decided to go with a lightweight aluminum flywheel, but I'm using the Centerforce II clutch and pressure plate that came out of the car. Anyone have any suggestions regarding what I should do to freshen up the surface of the clutch disc that mates against the new flywheel?

My concern will be how long the Centerforce II will last behind a 427. The Centerforce Dual Friction would do well.


JIM

I would clean the components with brake cleaner before it goes in and just run it. Probably a good idea to drive some normal stop and go for a couple hundred miles to get the disc and flywheel well seated before hammering the sh-t out of it.

A NEW 427 SBC, sounds like an expensive project. My Fidanza flywheel ran me $400. First engine was the modified 327, new clutch OEM 4 speed. Second engine a built 357 with a Tremec. new clutch. Third engine S/Cing the 357, it got a new puck type clutch plate and used the same pressure plate. Your are almost done, later on you won't regret spending the extra for the right clutch set-up. T

I'm not anticipating a big problem. Its a relatively mild build and I seldom drive it hard. And if I smoke a clutch, I'll change it. If its life is short, I'll look at something stronger. I like the Centerforce setup. Its not much stiffer than stock and held well with the 383. There is very little wear on it and I am mostly concerned with it bedding in properly with the new flywheel. As for the Dual Friction clutch, there are a lot of negative reviews on line, although a lot of them say it slips, which tells me they either haven't set it up properly, or they are really using it hard.

The DF is essentially the same as you have now with an improved disc. I don't think you have the added centrifugal weights that some folks think cause issues.

I've run them several times without any issue. My BBC 427 did well with it even on slicks yet pedal pressure was very reasonable.

If you don't use all that power/torque or your tires don't hook up you'll be fine I suppose.

If the disc is in decent shape it will work fine on the new flywheel. Nothing needed.

JIM

I reused my CF with a new flywheel when I did my engine swap. No issues at all.

The Centerforce II has the weights. The CF I does not. I have used both over the years with good success. Nothing with the torque of the 427, but Centerforce lists the same part number for a small block and a big block. If it works behind a 427 big block, it should live behind a 427 small block if I don't do nothin' stupid. :D

The fresh grinding marks left on the new flywheel will "dress" the used disc within a very short period of time....just make sure no greasy fingerprints are on either piece.

Cool...couldn't remember the differences. Then I guess main difference in the II and the DF is the hybrid disc of the DF? (which to me is a good thing).

Can you just get a DF disc these days without buying pressure plate too? I know you can from other MFG's.

But as you said...try it and see if it works. The DF worked well up through the 700+ HP range even with my 540....but couldn't handle it when we moved it into the 800+ range.


JIM

I put a Centerforce dual friction behind my 496- not many miles yet, but it seems ok. I like the pedal feel. Very little more than stock.
I had to do the full setup on the pivot ball, and cut about .030 off the ARP flywheel bolt heads (lightweight flywheel).

800 HP??! Wow. I'm thinking you've got bigger problems than clutch slippage. I'd be happy to see 500HP.

I changed a clutch on a 71 that had those weights. It shook the dam steering wheel at idle. A new Mc Leod, and it went away. The CF clutch was a week old.

No one else uses those weights, and I feel it's a gimmick at best. More of an issue than a solution to a non existent problem.

The Centerforce ll will work fine. And, yes, the Centerforce l does have weights. They both use the same disk.

Interesting. The Centerforce I's I have installed did not have the weights (I've only installed two). The Centerforce II's I installed did have them. (Probably three or four of those over the years.)

I've keep hearing about the vibration problems but mine have been good.

LOL...yeah had to upgrade clutch a couple of times. Moved to a McLeod dual disc with added base pressure. NEVER slipped and hit HARD. Tough on parts.

Next went to McLeod Soft-Lok which has been great. It's rated for the 1100 HP range....but I'm in the 1350+ HP range now and it's doing pretty well so far.....

JIM

OK. I have to ask...what have you done with your diff and axles?

It's a custom built Dana 60 made into an IRS setup. It has 1480 series solid u-joints, 3.5"x.134 wall halfshafts and Tom's outer stub axles.


JIM