The Ford Barn

JayJay · 01-08-2024, 11:34 AM

The V8 pressure plate, which is installed on the lightened Model A flywheel, is supposed to be a lighter push. I have heard folks complain that the V8 pressure plate they purchased was quite heavy, probably due to heavy springs used by the builder. I need to purchase a V8 pressure plate to install on my Burtz flywheel, has anyone recently acquired one that won't take a monster leg to push?

On that same note: does the 5/8" finger height apply to the V8 pressure plate like it does to the conventional Model A pressure plate?

Dick M · 01-08-2024, 12:58 PM

I have one from Bert's. Give him a call and order one.
I detected no difference of leg pressure required to operate the V8 clutch vs. the stock Model A clutch.

Tom Endy · 01-08-2024, 02:27 PM

I highly recommend Clutches Unlimited in Midway City, located in Southern California next to Huntington Beach.

714-373-6155

www.clutchesunlimited.com

15116 Adams Street
Midway City, CA 92655

I bought a V8 pressure plate from them last summer for my grandson's 1930 Tudor and was very pleased with it and with their service. They do a lot of old car business, and are very knowledgeable.

We previously had the flywheel machined locally and I purchased a disk from Bratton's that has the spring retainers. After a bad experience with a V8 pressure plate from one of the other suppliers, I took the flywheel and disk over to Clutch Unlimited and had them set the fingers on their pressure plate at 11/16". I also installed an after-market longer clutch release lever. The clutch works very well in the Tudor.

This was my first experience with a V8 clutch and I am impressed. When it comes time to replace the clutch in my Victoria I will install a V8 clutch and also have Clutch Unlimited machine the flywheel.

Tom Endy

Joe K · 01-08-2024, 09:15 PM

As I understand it, the V8 clutch takes advantage of "centrifugal force" in the depression of the foot pedal.

So standing still with the engine off - you will probably feel no difference.

Vince has something to say on this. Note his warning on tractor clutches.

https://www.fordgarage.com/pages/pressureplates.htm

Joe K

johnneilson · 01-08-2024, 10:11 PM

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Vince hits the nail squarely with this article.

In all honesty, if you don't have a hot rod motor either of these work well.

The next stage is to go to a diaphragm style. The bolt patterns are ever so slightly different that I have taken a few apart where the holes were just opened up with a die grinder. This is not the correct way. I drill flywheels for either clutch correctly.
Applications are Ranger V6, Mustang V6.

J

01-08-2024, 11:34 AM	#1
JayJay Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 1,077	source for V8 pressure plate? The V8 pressure plate, which is installed on the lightened Model A flywheel, is supposed to be a lighter push. I have heard folks complain that the V8 pressure plate they purchased was quite heavy, probably due to heavy springs used by the builder. I need to purchase a V8 pressure plate to install on my Burtz flywheel, has anyone recently acquired one that won't take a monster leg to push? On that same note: does the 5/8" finger height apply to the V8 pressure plate like it does to the conventional Model A pressure plate? __________________ JayJay San Francisco Bay Area ------------------------ 1930 Murray Town Sedan 1931 Briggs S/W Town Sedan

01-08-2024, 12:58 PM	#2
Dick M Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ukiah, CA Posts: 477	Re: source for V8 pressure plate? I have one from Bert's. Give him a call and order one. I detected no difference of leg pressure required to operate the V8 clutch vs. the stock Model A clutch.

01-08-2024, 02:27 PM	#3
Tom Endy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,131	Re: source for V8 pressure plate? I highly recommend Clutches Unlimited in Midway City, located in Southern California next to Huntington Beach. 714-373-6155 www.clutchesunlimited.com 15116 Adams Street Midway City, CA 92655 I bought a V8 pressure plate from them last summer for my grandson's 1930 Tudor and was very pleased with it and with their service. They do a lot of old car business, and are very knowledgeable. We previously had the flywheel machined locally and I purchased a disk from Bratton's that has the spring retainers. After a bad experience with a V8 pressure plate from one of the other suppliers, I took the flywheel and disk over to Clutch Unlimited and had them set the fingers on their pressure plate at 11/16". I also installed an after-market longer clutch release lever. The clutch works very well in the Tudor. This was my first experience with a V8 clutch and I am impressed. When it comes time to replace the clutch in my Victoria I will install a V8 clutch and also have Clutch Unlimited machine the flywheel. Tom Endy

01-08-2024, 09:15 PM	#4
Joe K Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cow Hampshire Posts: 4,188	Re: source for V8 pressure plate? As I understand it, the V8 clutch takes advantage of "centrifugal force" in the depression of the foot pedal. So standing still with the engine off - you will probably feel no difference. Vince has something to say on this. Note his warning on tractor clutches. https://www.fordgarage.com/pages/pressureplates.htm Joe K __________________ Shudda kept the horse.

01-08-2024, 10:11 PM	#5
johnneilson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: 34.22 N 118.36 W Posts: 1,057	Re: source for V8 pressure plate? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Vince hits the nail squarely with this article. In all honesty, if you don't have a hot rod motor either of these work well. The next stage is to go to a diaphragm style. The bolt patterns are ever so slightly different that I have taken a few apart where the holes were just opened up with a die grinder. This is not the correct way. I drill flywheels for either clutch correctly. Applications are Ranger V6, Mustang V6. J __________________ As Carroll Smith wrote; All Failures are Human in Origin.