Multi disk clutch

[Ed Saniewski]

Dose anyone have a link to a video on how a multi disk clutch works? I have one and flywheel that I want to bring to our next club meeting, and would like to show how they worked. I have Tom Endy's tech. article, but I am looking for more. Thanks.

[Pinesdune]

I found this one for you if it helps https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TcYsV063lk8

Just google/YouTube search "motorcycle clutch" , there are quite a few to choose from


Saving iron from the scrap pile one piece at a time

[2manycars]

They work like any clutch, but have several plates to provide more friction. Half the plates are drive plates linked to the engine (in the flywheel) and half are driven plates, linked to the transmission shaft. On the model A, the curved plate opposite the throwout bearing moves away from the clutch plates, allowing them to spin freely when the throwout bearing pushes that plate away from the clutch plates. The drive plates have the outer teeth and mesh with the flywheel. The driven plates have internal teeth and mesh with the hub that is splined and attached to the transmission input shaft. The result is a lot of drive friction with a low spring rate. Unfortunatly, ford used a flywheel with the teeth cut into the cast iron, and not steel teeth, like the later model T had, and the clutch plate teeth wore into the flywheel teeth, preventing the clutch plates from releasing properly. This wore the linings, and the worn clutch material packed in the flywheel teeth, compounding the problem. When the flywheel is in good condition, it is a really nice clutch. If the flywheel is badly worn, it is a terrible clutch. We have one in the early 28 roadster pickup, and last year I swapped the flywheel for a better one, and found a clutch pack with better teeth, and now it drives very nicely. I have the special tool to service the clutch pack, so it was an easy job.

[Ron in Quincy]

As the Multi-Disc wears the dust from the lining has no way to exit the flywheel, the driven disc's start thrusting into the splines which causes groves in the flywheel splines, now the multi-disc will not slide freely. The thrusting will wear the driven discs to a point instead of being square and now they quit working. The groves ruin the flywheel and the end result the multi-disc no longer works.

It is possible to convert a Multi-Disc bell housing and transmission to accept the later style flywheel and clutch.

I have made this conversion on A566 a very early Sport Coupe. I had the flywheel cut down to 39 pounds including the ring gear, used a V8 clutch and standard clutch disc. I also converted the able drive to the DR Bendix drive so no shimming of the starter is necessary. From the outside it appears to have the Multi-disc clutch and even in fine point judging it can not be observed.

Ron

[Mitch//pa]

Its very similar to an automatic trans clutch pack

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

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And BOY, do them things GRIP! I could lay "scratch" with a SECOND gear take off!---In a NANO-SECOND, you're UNDERWAY (WHEE!)
Bill Whiplash

[Tom Wesenberg]

One of the clutch discs has a small chisel mark, and this is the disc with very slightly wider teeth, which gets installed closest to the tranny.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

Its very similar to an automatic trans clutch pack

Also similar to motorcycle clutches, except the motorcycle clutches are in oil (except for dry clutches, Harleys).

[Ed Saniewski]

Thanks to all, Pinesdune that is just what I was looking for.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Had a James motorcycle with CORK friction pads running in OIL.
Trimmed some Mustang pads to fit, but they were TOO THICK---FINALLY got it adjusted to release.
REVVED it up for first take off, thing stood up like a BRONC & I can still remember the TAIL LITE & liscense plate, going through my CROTCH (OUCH!)
Bill Pain

[updraught]

Nothing wrong with a cork clutch. The corks can be run dry, but won't last long. Had many trips to the local chemist as a kid to get a bag of corks.

[Ed H.]

Automatic trans work on the same principal only use hyd pressure to apply the disc's.

[GMCPASO]

I have a complete system available is anyone is looking for one. Trans, clutch, flywheel, and housing.