Auburn Clutch

[Ken/Alabama]

So what’s the big deal with using an Auburn clutch. Does it have to do with weight ? Removed this 37 21 stud engine from a a 34 Roadster and it has a Winfield SU1R cam and is bored to 3 3/16 with aluminum flywheel and Auburn clutch.

[cas3]

Crazy lookin thing!

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Ken/Alabama

So what’s the big deal with using an Auburn clutch. Does it have to do with weight ? Removed this 37 21 stud engine from a a 34 Roadster and it has a Winfield SU1R cam and is bored to 3 3/16 with aluminum flywheel and Auburn clutch.

[3W Hank]

I has the same set up but not running it yet.
Its both in 9 and 10 inch.
I has the 10”.
Idea was a light pressuare plate.
Compare weight from steel flywheel and a std steel pressuare plate its a big weight reduction.
Not all combos might like a light set up like that.
I think this was tractor parts (?)
For me it feel old hot rod.
-One told me its a weak plate and nothing to use 2024.
But I saw it old school ideas they might used.
I will has a light car and heavy ported block, rather high compression, dual carbs, Potvin 425 cam, 4.44 rear, 2.21 first gear and 31.5” tall tires and crank is also ligher.
This was my idea, but guy run it might can tell more on how it works in reality.

[KiWinUS]

Originally Posted by 3W Hank

I has the same set up but not running it yet.
Its both in 9 and 10 inch.
I has the 10”.
Idea was a light pressuare plate.
Compare weight from steel flywheel and a std steel pressuare plate its a big weight reduction.
Not all combos might like a light set up like that.
I think this was tractor parts (?)
For me it feel old hot rod.
-One told me its a weak plate and nothing to use 2024.
But I saw it old school ideas they might used.
I will has a light car and heavy ported block, rather high compression, dual carbs, Potvin 425 cam, 4.44 rear, 2.21 first gear and 31.5” tall tires and crank is also ligher.
This was my idea, but guy run it might can tell more on how it works in reality.

Your new block appears relieved so compression will not be so high. A 4.250 stroke crank will help.
Sorry Ken I don’t know why the Auburn clutches were used but it seems common back in the day.

[3W Hank]

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[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by 3W Hank

I has the same set up but not running it yet.
Its both in 9 and 10 inch.
I has the 10”.
Idea was a light pressuare plate.
Compare weight from steel flywheel and a std steel pressuare plate its a big weight reduction.
Not all combos might like a light set up like that.
I think this was tractor parts (?)
For me it feel old hot rod.
-One told me its a weak plate and nothing to use 2024.
But I saw it old school ideas they might used.
I will has a light car and heavy ported block, rather high compression, dual carbs, Potvin 425 cam, 4.44 rear, 2.21 first gear and 31.5” tall tires and crank is also ligher.
This was my idea, but guy run it might can tell more on how it works in reality.

4.44 gears. I hope you don't plan to go more than around block with the car. I have 3.78's and plan to install a quick change since it's horrible on the highway.

[GB SISSON]

I read somewhere about clutches that use cork plugs for the friction surface. Maybe what those circles are? Even more weight reduction.

[3W Hank]

Tim,

Yes this coupe is street race style only, just as they say get around the block locally.
But me, I will drive like a old man.
I'm only after look, use old parts and sound and smell and fast rew up, but idea is a ride that can do 200 km/h or 124.3 MPH and there it is under 5.900 RPM.
-But guess it would be a tuff ride so to say..
90 km/h normal speed or 55 MPH is at around 2.600 RPM.
I think that work in small rides say go on a hyw at 50-60 miles and go say 2.500 RPM.

But note, I has never ride a street or a hot rod so I can't say, later on experiance might get me into a 80's 305 CSB and a TH700 and 2.75 in rear.
But this clutch and a buggy springs and a Lincoln transmission and a straight up steering wheel sitting on the floor in a chopped 5W coupe with so small door one just can't get in - set this up more or less just has something to look at.
Right now I'll just enjoy the road collect parts and the mock-up.
( as a street rodder I'll just has NO clue )

[Tim Ayers]

90 km/h normal speed or 55 MPH is at around 2.600 RPM.
I think that work in small rides say go on a hyw at 50-60 miles and go say 2.500 RPM.

Hank,

My rough mental math is calculating there is no way you'll be even close to 2,500 RPM @ 50-60 with 4.44's regardless of the transmission gearing.

I know you are really thinking about collecting all the right parts, but I believe you will regret that gearing choice. I'm pretty sure they were used in V8-60 cars because those cars couldn't get out of their own way and needed the gearing just to get moving.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by 3W Hank

I has the same set up but not running it yet.
Its both in 9 and 10 inch.
I has the 10”.
Idea was a light pressuare plate.
Compare weight from steel flywheel and a std steel pressuare plate its a big weight reduction.
Not all combos might like a light set up like that.
I think this was tractor parts (?)
For me it feel old hot rod.
-One told me its a weak plate and nothing to use 2024.
But I saw it old school ideas they might used.
I will has a light car and heavy ported block, rather high compression, dual carbs, Potvin 425 cam, 4.44 rear, 2.21 first gear and 31.5” tall tires and crank is also ligher.
This was my idea, but guy run it might can tell more on how it works in reality.

[Ol' Ron]

All this remines me of my youte!!
GrMPS

[GB SISSON]

Pete, I guess that last photo rules out wine corks in this one.

[3W Hank]

Tim, I'm alone think this is a great idea, and non of my hot rod friends think this will work..
But as I said it will be more like a city car or even that.
Math in reality from speed/RPM cal programs, well its math I can't say more, if it RPM's more then it must be a slip in clutch.
I checked tires and they are around 31.5" and they might get bigger at speed aswell and gear is 4.44 and transmission 1;1.
But after I test it and see I can tell.
But again, this car is so full of old odd parts ( its a time bomber ) so it would not get much better get a 3.78 etc etc.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by 3W Hank

Tim, I'm alone think this is a great idea, and non of my hot rod friends think this will work..
But as I said it will be more like a city car or even that.
Math in reality from speed/RPM cal programs, well its math I can't say more, if it RPM's more then it must be a slip in clutch.
I checked tires and they are around 31.5" and they might get bigger at speed aswell and gear is 4.44 and transmission 1;1.
But after I test it and see I can tell.
But again, this car is so full of old odd parts ( its a time bomber ) so it would not get much better get a 3.78 etc etc.

I hear you and wish you well with your project. It will be a screamer for sure! LOL!

[3W Hank]

Tim,
Screamer :- ))
Well this car is dedicated to the years before NHRA and what parts was aviable late 40’s.
Los Angeles street racing.
I’m a NHRA racer and my stocker (
A/SA Hemi-Cuda -70 ) still fastet over here in old school cars ( and match the best in USA and I use 30 by 9 inch slicks and gears is 5.13 so its 8.200 RPM ( love that sound ) and car weight 3.650 LBS i A, but now I has a brand new engine with Jason Line parts and will go AA class so car will weight 3.350 and before I had 650 HP now I’m over 700 but same first gear 2.32, so I think it will rew up at near 9K in the end now, thats a screamer.
As they said back in the days - the eliminator cam did eliminate the compatitors or the eliminate the engine…

[1952henry]

Originally Posted by GB SISSON

I read somewhere about clutches that use cork plugs for the friction surface. Maybe what those circles are? Even more weight reduction.

Hudson had a clutch with little cork plugs embedded. Used a special clutch fluid.

[GB SISSON]

Thanks Henry. Now I feel a little less of a crackpot!

[40cpe]

Originally Posted by Tim Ayers

90 km/h normal speed or 55 MPH is at around 2.600 RPM.
I think that work in small rides say go on a hyw at 50-60 miles and go say 2.500 RPM.

Hank,

My rough mental math is calculating there is no way you'll be even close to 2,500 RPM @ 50-60 with 4.44's regardless of the transmission gearing.

I know you are really thinking about collecting all the right parts, but I believe you will regret that gearing choice. I'm pretty sure they were used in V8-60 cars because those cars couldn't get out of their own way and needed the gearing just to get moving.

I think the key here is the 31.5" tires. The online RPM calculator says that the RPMs will be within 100 RPM of a 3.78 gear and 600x16 tires at 55-60 mph.

[Flathead Fever]

My dad ran an Auburn clutch in his '32 roadster in the 50's. My guess is it had more clamping force, probably why he kept eliminating the gears out of the Ford trans.