Fun with V-8 a clutch

[Mark in MT]

Has anyone else had the pleasure of using a new repro 9" pressure plate and adapting it to a cut down A flywheel? Spent all morning measuring, remeasuring and trying to get a set of holes to line up on a bolt circle. Finally came to the conclusion (by checking 2 of these plates back to back) that the holes are randomly spaced around the perimeter. I even tried to mount them up on a original V-8 flywheel, you would have to oversize the holes big time to get them in. Am I missing some thing obvious or am I over engineering it? My last thought is to line up the plate inside with the center hole in the flywheel, best that I could come up with.

No more V-8 clutches for me.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by Mark in MT

Has anyone else had the pleasure of using a new repro 9" pressure plate and adapting it to a cut down A flywheel? Spent all morning measuring, remeasuring and trying to get a set of holes to line up on a bolt circle. Finally came to the conclusion (by checking 2 of these plates back to back) that the holes are randomly spaced around the perimeter. I even tried to mount them up on a original V-8 flywheel, you would have to oversize the holes big time to get them in. Am I missing some thing obvious or am I over engineering it? My last thought is to line up the plate inside with the center hole in the flywheel, best that I could come up with.

No more V-8 clutches for me.

I am assuming you ARE using a rotary table on your mill to do the layout, ...correct? I also assume you have machined the counterbore off of the flywheel first where you have a flat pad to layout the bolt circle??

[1931 flamingo]

Is not the V8 P/P a direct replacement. If it won't line up on the V8 flywheel you tried you got "gypsy" parts. Your source??
Paul in CT

[Frank Miller]

I think he is asking if anyone has had a problem with the bolts lining up no matter what the application.

[James Rogers]

If you use a true V8 pressure plate or the 8N replacement the bolt circle will be 10.375 with the holes being 32 degrees apart. I have done probably a hundred. I use , as Brent suggested, a 12" rotary table on a Bridgeport mill after the counterbore is removed on my lathe, I center the rotary table and then mount the flywheel on it and center it. The table is then moved 5.1875" and rotated to 0. Drill the first hole and rotate the table to 120 degrees then to 240degrees. Rotate back to 0 then to 32 degrees then 152 degrees then 272 degrees drilling holes at each point. These holes are in the correct place and the plate will fit.This is just to drill the holes to mount. Then the flywheel has to be resurfaced and balanced. This is why the modified setup is 425$. Lots of time and work involved. Mine also include the plate, clutch disk, flywheel ring, and the pilot bearing.

[James Rogers]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

BTW, I have found, there are several different plates that look like the V8 plate but are not. Also the 49-53 V8 plate uses a 10" disk and is different even from the truck plate of the same and earlier vintage.

[Mark in MT]

After much careful measuring, I found that the holes in the repop pressure plate were not all drilled on the same bolt circle, when you put it on an original V8 flywheel, you cannot get more than any two bolts in. I guess that I will change suppliers of the pressure plates, if I do any more of these conversions. For now, I think that I will stick with the standard a plate.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by Mark in MT

After much careful measuring, I found that the holes in the repop pressure plate were not all drilled on the same bolt circle, when you put it on an original V8 flywheel, you cannot get more than any two bolts in. I guess that I will change suppliers of the pressure plates, if I do any more of these conversions. For now, I think that I will stick with the standard a plate.

Maybe you received a defect but remember that if there is not uniformity, you run the risk of a balance issue.

[miss victoria]

i just did one ,the new repo. with the counter weights. fit perfect ?

[Pete]

I have seen flywheels drilled for 4 different pressure plates...Takes a few minutes to determine which to use.
In the olden dayz we could redrill and tap flywheel in 20 minutes...another 15 minutes to balance. AND, it was RIGHT...And,NO, I am not going to tell the secret of the fast setup.
Try getting it done at all these days....Not many good shops left around.

[Phil815]

I too am trying to mount a V-8 pressure plate on a Model A fly wheel. My pressure plate is supposed to be a rebuilt 9 in. original but I see the adjustment fingures are spot welded?? Also when I place the pressure plate on the flywheel it seems to be about 3/8 inch smaller to be be able to get the mounting holes in the mounting surface of the flywheel?? At this point I don't know what to do??

[George Miller]

Originally Posted by Pete

I have seen flywheels drilled for 4 different pressure plates...Takes a few minutes to determine which to use.
In the olden dayz we could redrill and tap flywheel in 20 minutes...another 15 minutes to balance. AND, it was RIGHT...And,NO, I am not going to tell the secret of the fast setup.
Try getting it done at all these days....Not many good shops left around.

It's called experience and know how. I'm not going to give it away either.

[msmaron]

Why not call Rich Fallucca and just buy one done and finished.. Not what you wanted to hear but easy@

[James Rogers]

Originally Posted by msmaron

Why not call Rich Fallucca and just buy one done and finished.. Not what you wanted to hear but easy@

Or me.I finished 9 sets this morning.

[Mikeinnj]

Originally Posted by James Rogers

If you use a true V8 pressure plate or the 8N replacement the bolt circle will be 10.375 with the holes being 32 degrees apart. I have done probably a hundred. I use , as Brent suggested, a 12" rotary table on a Bridgeport lathe after the counterbore is removed on my lathe, I center the rotary table and then mount the flywheel on it and center it. The table is then moved 5.1875" and rotated to 0. Drill the first hole and rotate the table to 120 degrees then to 240degrees. Rotate back to 0 then to 32 degrees then 152 degrees then 272 degrees drilling holes at each point. These holes are in the correct place and the plate will fit.This is just to drill the holes to mount. Then the flywheel has to be resurfaced and balanced. This is why the modified setup is 425$. Lots of time and work involved. Mine also include the plate, clutch disk, flywheel ring, and the pilot bearing.

James;
Thanks for sharing the method used to set-up the job. Some other responders seem to think this info is "top secret" in their small minds and they are reluctant to "give it away" or as I call it, "help others in the hobby". Thanks again. It's people like you that make this a great hobby !

[columbiA]

Why do so many want to use the V8 clutch?The 29-34 PP will handle up to 80 or more HP with no problem & the centrifugal weights arre not needed on a low RPM engine like an A or B.I use a 35 # FW on my B engine with stock PP with spring-center 35-46 disc.If you are using the V8 PP for reduced pedal pressure,you get the same effect by using a longer release arm that you can get from the vendors,or use one from a 28 multi-disc release shaft.Mine only takes 22# to push pedal to floor.

[msmaron]

Originally Posted by James Rogers

Or me.I finished 9 sets this morning.

Amen. Yes!!!

[James Rogers]

Originally Posted by columbiA

Why do so many want to use the V8 clutch?The 29-34 PP will handle up to 80 or more HP with no problem & the centrifugal weights arre not needed on a low RPM engine like an A or B.I use a 35 # FW on my B engine with stock PP with spring-center 35-46 disc.If you are using the V8 PP for reduced pedal pressure,you get the same effect by using a longer release arm that you can get from the vendors,or use one from a 28 multi-disc release shaft.Mine only takes 22# to push pedal to floor.

Columbia, if you use a V8 pressure plate (or 8N) you will drop another 6# from the rotating mass plus 2# from the pedal pressure. The V8 plate also has more clamping pressure saving chatter when in reverse.

[columbiA]

Both my A,s with stock PP never chatter in reverse but then,there is no excess slack in the drive line either.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Mikeinnj

James;
Thanks for sharing the method used to set-up the job. Some other responders seem to think this info is "top secret" in their small minds and they are reluctant to "give it away" or as I call it, "help others in the hobby". Thanks again. It's people like you that make this a great hobby !

"Small minds" have figured out a method after spending 6 years in college
learning how to do it and make money on the job.
We didn't charge near as much as the guys doing it on a rotary table.
The rotary table is a fine way to do it but very time consuming compared
to our method which is geared to saving the poor downtroden, living on welfare, ancient model A guy money.