[Tom Vaught]

Quote:

"However, I always changed the bearing whenever I replaced the clutch."

Maybe that is the reason, Jim, you never had any issues.

Speaking of clutches:

Anyone ever "prepare a clutch disc" and the pressure plate after running the clutch for a while?

At one time I was having some transmission issues, (they were destroying themselves on third gear shifts due to the span in the transmission being the widest when shifting into third.) Trans shaft deflects, gear mesh is reduced and the teeth shell off the gear. Time to change the guts or buy another one from the junk yard.

Everytime I would pull the trans I would put a new clutch and pressure plate back in. An oldtimer at the parts shop asked me why I was having so much trouble. I told him about the trans and how the clutch stuff was expensive to replace at the same time. He said "Why in the he** are you doing that to perfectly good parts".

He said: "Take the clutch disc that has been "cured" by the heat from clutch use and glass bead off the resin that rose to the surface. The clutch will be like brand new and will last ten times longer vs a new clutch that just boils off resin like the last one did. I did that and have not replaced a clutch disc in 20 years as I had three other discs that I had previously purchased. 5 years out of a clutch disc beating the snot out of it on shifts is great durability in my mind.

Think about it.

Tom V.