12" Clutch

[bigbadchev84]

So it looks like I will be needing a new clutch. It is a 12" clutch in there now, and I am running a hydraulic clutch. What is the difference between a 3 finger and a diaphragm clutch? Do i need to replace the throwout bearing fork? what is better a pilot bushing or the roller bearing? this is just a daily driver and will more than likely not see any offroading.

 

[bigbadchev84]

I have also heard that the clutch has to be place on the flywheel with the dots lined up, I dont think i did that last time because I couldnt find the dot on the flywheel. is this true? If it is important can someone please show me where the dot is?

 

[tRustyK5]

Three finger is supposedly a better holding clutch, especially at high rpm's. However...they are a very heavy clutch so if you have manual linkage I'd steer clear. I had two with manual linkage and being so heavy I think contributed to being grabby and chattery over time. They were very hard to feather.

Diaphragm clutch is much easier and civilized...and there are a lot of good ones out there.

Pilot bushing is probably the best as there are no moving parts to fail. My 6.2 came with a bearing, and I swapped another pilot bearing in when I installed it. Haven't had a problem so far.

The fork should be fine...but check for wear anyways. Also check the ball the fork pivots on as those do wear and cause problems.

The clutch disc should be marked "flywheel side" or similar.

Rene

 

[MaxPF]

[Minor hijack]

Rene, do the roller pilot bearings have their own inner race, or does the pilot stub on the input shaft act as the inner race?

[/Minor hijack]

 

[pvfjr]

I think the rollers roll right on the input shaft. I don't remember there being an inner race.

 

[tRustyK5]

Yeah, rollers ride on the pilot stub...

Rene

 

[skyyk5]

I had a daiphram clutch in mine, Advance auto $150.00 ish one, for about 3 years of abuse on the road. Even smoked it one time. When I took it out (to replace through out bearing) it still looked new. In fact my friend is taking it to put in his dump. I'm just anal and believe in replacing the clutch whenever the motor and trans are parted. The clutch was made by Zoom.

I heard that the 3 finger clutches don't work well with hydro. I never tried it though.

 

[dyeager535]

I have a diaphram style in my truck, 12", made by Sachs-Sedis(SP? Yes, the bike chain people) Anyways, it's been in there now probably 7 years at least, and still going strong. Not advocating that brand, just the diaphram style in general.

I only smoked it once, for some reason went temporarily brain dead, didn't shift gears after slowing down, went to accelerate, didn't move as fast as I thought it should, pushed pedal to the floor, eventually realized I was in the wrong gear as the engine RPM's gradually increased and the burned clutch smell started to permeate the cab.

That was probably 4 years ago and still no issues.

I figure my setup has to be fairly hard on the clutch, with only 3.42's and 33's, it takes a bit of slipping to get it moving smoothly. But it's easily done with that clutch.

I don't think I'd even consider a 3 finger unless I was towing some insane amount of weight, and even then I'd do some research to see if the 3 finger was required. I would imagine for wheeling a potential tradeoff in holding power/life would still be acceptable compared to better clutch control in general.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Another vote for the diaphragm style.

Go with a pilot bushing, not a pilot bearing.

 

[skyyk5]

Another vote for the diaphragm style.

Go with a pilot bushing, not a pilot bearing.

I agree here. I put the bearing in the first time, don't ask me why but I'll stick with the bushing from now on. I just had one in each hand with the plan of using the bearing, then tossed in the bushing.