[DeTomaso] Clutch slipping at 3000 RPMs

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

In a message dated 8/10/07 7 31 24, Konrad.Szwab at AlconLabs.com writes:


> 
> Any other thoughts ?
> 

Everybody is leaping to the conclusion that your clutch is shot.   And it may 
be true.

BUT, it's also possible that it is just horribly out of adjustment.   Instead 
of not releasing completely, instead it is not *engaging* properly, and is 
slipping.

I have seen this happen to Matt Bradley's Pantera.   The prior owner was 
apparently a cheapskate, and instead of installing a proper Pantera clutch, 
instead he stuck a regular Mustang clutch in there.   When they fired it up, the 
fingers of the clutch hit the bellhousing, and busted it. :<(

So, instead of replacing the clutch and bellhousing, they fabricated a metal 
cover for the busted-out portion, then put it all back together, and 
improperly adjusted the clutch intentionally, partially depressing the fingers to keep 
it away from the bellhousing.   Then they sold it to poor Matt.

We drove it to a track event at the Motorsports Ranch, and on the way down I 
could tell that the clutch was slipping under hard acceleration.   Once at the 
track, the combined Pantera tech crew found it horribly out of adjustment, 
and adjusted it properly.   He started up, sounded great, let the clutch out and 
started to drive away and CRACKCRACKCRACKCRACKCRACKCRACK!!!!

He depressed the clutch right away, and the noise stopped.   That was how we 
figured out the problem.   We mis-adjusted it so he could limp it home, and 
soon afterwards he chucked it over the hedge and installed a Centerforce PANTERA 
clutch.   No problems after that.

So.   Do you KNOW what clutch is in your car right now?   If it's a Mustang 
clutch, you might have the same scenario as above going on.   And even if you 
have a proper Pantera clutch, it could simply be misadjusted.   Before 
condemning it, I would at least try to see if you can adjust it properly and get 
proper function out of it.

If you do have to replace it, definitely put some kind of Pantera clutch in 
there (you can get very good stock-style replacements from Pantera Performance 
Center, or Centerforce clutches from the Pantera vendors, or even from Summit 
Racing etc. if you have the Pantera part numbers, which they probably won't 
have).

Good luck!

Mike


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