[DeTomaso] The Clutch in 5533

[forestg at att.net]

 Asa,
The flywheel has heat checking so I would take it to an automotive machine shop and see if they can reface it and still have enough material left. Is there a clutch rebuilding place in Spokane? If so I would take the pressure plate to them and have them reface the pressure ring and rebuild the assembly. If it is the original pressure plate it should have a steel ring as opposed to cast iron and would be better rebuilt than a cast new one.
Forest
 -------------- Original message from Asa Jay Laughton <asajay at asajay.com>: --------------


> Hi all,
> 
> On the advice of some, since the ZF is out of my Pantera at the moment, 
> I removed the clutch this evening.  Although the unit had been working 
> just fine and I believe it would continue working, I am now torn between 
> that idea and replacing everything based on what I found today.
> 
> I have documented the photos here:
> http://tinyurl.com/dycjvj
> 
> The major items are:
> - Flywheel surface
> - Needle pilot bearing
> - Clutch disc wear
> - Pressure plate wear
> 
> The flywheel surface appears like it's been roasting clutches.  The 
> surface otherwise is smooth to the touch and actually begins to clean up 
> with a scotchbrite-type pad.  The one item that concerns me, if you look 
> at the zoomed in photo here:http://www.teampanteraracing.com/index.php?option=com_g2bridge&view=gallery&Item
> id=57&g2_itemId=2244
> you will see what appear to be cracks across the face.  These don't 
> appear to clean up with the pad.  I need someone with more brains than 
> me to explain this to me, but I think it best to get a new Flywheel, 
> which I really didn't want to do (it's a money thing).
> 
> The pilot bearing you will note is a needle bearing style.  The needles 
> are actually shorter than I imagined and also spaced farther apart than 
> I would have expected.  The bearing feels good, has no binding, etc.  I 
> think I'll probably re-use that unless someone convinces me I shouldn't.
> 
> The clutch disc has wear, though not bad.  There is a date stamp of Mar 
> 9 1984, so it's been a while.  I have another shot near the end of the 
> album which shows my dial caliper measuring an average .300 thickness.  
> I have no idea if this is near correct or not.  Since it's out, I should 
> replace it.
> 
> The Pressure plate needs to be surfaced or replaced.  The photos will 
> show a worn surface.  I can't catch a finger on any ridges, but I -can- 
> feel irregularities in the surface.  This will -not- clean up with a 
> scotchbrite pad.  You can also see some part number (maybe) stamped in 
> the housing, MODEL 11CF  (or IICF).  Another stamping is something like 
> 1(or something)W8.
> 
> So...
> - Should I replace the flywheel?
> - Should I replace the pressure plate or just have it resurfaced?
> - Should I replace the pilot bearing?
> - Does my disc appear to be about the correct thickness?
> 
> Thanks,
> Asa Jay
> 
> Asa Jay Laughton, MSgt, USAFR, Retired
> 
> & Shelley Marie
> Spokane, WA
> 
> 1971 Mach I Mustang  [ASA JAY]
> 1973 Pantera L 5533  [ASASCAT]
>     
> ******************************     
> http://www.asajay.com
> http://www.teampanteraracing.com
>   
> 
> _______________________________________________
> 
> Detomaso Forum Managed by POCA
> 
> Archive Search Engine Now Available at http://www.realbig.com/detomaso/
> 
> DeTomaso mailing list
> DeTomaso at list.realbig.com
> http://list.realbig.com/mailman/listinfo/detomaso