[DeTomaso] clutch

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

In a message dated 11/25/08 12 21 49, ehpantera at yahoo.com writes:


> I'm in the process of putting in a new clutch assembly. I would appreciate 
> an explanation of the differences and benifits between McLeod and 
> Centerforce. 
> 
>>>Well, McLeod makes a number of different clutches for the Pantera.   I 
suspect what you're really asking is the differences and benefits between a 
stock-style three-finger clutch, and a diaphraghm-style clutch (of which 
Centerforce is representative, although McLeod makes them too).

Broadly, I'd say the diaphragm-style clutch is an improvement over a standard 
three-finger design.   It gives superior clamping force for the same pedal 
effort.   But both styles have their proponents.


> How well does the internal slave cylinder work?
> 
>>>When it works, it works great.   I've had one in my car that I got from 
Dennis Quella in about 1992, and it's worked great this whole time.   However, 
when they go bad, they go VERY bad, and you are stuck dead in the water, 
requiring the gearbox to come out for troubleshooting/repair.   

And they do go bad.

For this reason, Dennis no longer sells them; he now advocates the 
stock-style arrangement.   Stock clutch master and slave cylinders are laughably cheap 
these days.   A stainless long-throw slave is an expensive improvement, which 
comes with the price of slightly higher pedal effort.

I would characterize the non-stock CNC aluminum master cylinders as 'junk', 
although that reflects a certain degree of prejudice.   They work okay, but 
require you to cut your hydraulic line and re-flare it with a different fitting.  
 I prefer the stock ones as a result, although they do lack the bling factor 
of the CNC unit.

Mike



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