[DeTomaso] twin disk street clutches

[JDeRyke at aol.com]

FWIW- the biggest single reason NOT to use multi-disc clutches in a Pantera 
is, you simply cannot get enough clutch linkage travel to disengage two discs; 
we can barely get enough to disengage one. Consider: on a given Pantera when 
checking thru the access hole in the bellhousing, you'll only be able to get a 
0.040" thick feeler gauge (if you're lucky!) between a single disc and 
flywheel. This means that each side of the clutch disc only clears the pressure plate 
AND flywheel by a max. of 0.020" each- and those discs aren't perfectly flat, 
so we get 'some' clutch drag. 
Using dual discs with 4 friction surfaces, the clearances are reduced to 
0.010" per disc per surface. Massive and expensive wear on ZF sychronizers 
results, unless huge changes are made in the slave cylinder bore and/or the pedal 
ratio under the dash. On racing versions, this is taken care of by rebuilding the 
tranny after each event.   Changing pedal ratios is difficult due to the 
tight clearances to the floor, while making the slave smaller to get more travel 
causes an impossibly stiff clutch for any sort of street driving. Again, it 
doesn't affect racers 'cause not much shifting is done in a typical event. But in 
traffic- forget it! You'll be finding excuses to NOT take such a Pantera on 
club runs and         it turns into a dedicated racer.
Maybe a power-clutch setup would make all this possible but it certainly 
ain't gonna be a bolt-in; possibly some extra bracing under the dash will be 
needed. Personally, I'd go to a clutch specialist shop and have a single-disc 
pressure plate custom-made to my best-guess strength needed, and try it out. It may 
take a few assemblies to both allow street driving and holding 2X the stock 
torque, but all this will pay off in le$$ ZF overhauling. FWIW, street pressure 
plates are around 2000-lb units while 'racing' clutches are 2600-lb and will 
shorten your leg in a few hours of traffic! Good luck- J Deryke


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