The Ford Barn

oldredford · 09-25-2010, 09:43 AM

I have a very uneasy feeling about installing a complete made in china clutch kit bought from a well known vendor. The vendor says they are good. Now, no excuse but my own, I find out I could of had my USA clutch rebuilt by Ft. Wayne Clutch company. I don't mind paying more for USA made parts. So my big question is what am I to expect out of this China clutch kit?

Jerry

Chris in CT · 09-25-2010, 09:59 AM

Hi Jerry, Nothing but the best! I am aware that there has been alot of bad press around Chinese parts, but did it ever occur to anyone that the problem is that the purchaser spect'd them out to be made as cheaply as possible? That the original company manufacturing these items sent the manufacturing overseas to reduce labor, safety, and pension costs? I don't know what modern car you presently drive, but I'll bet you that a good many components of that automobile are sourced in China. That being said, why don't you return the undamaged Chinese parts to the vendor, and have your original clutch rebuilt in Fort Wayne? Happy Motoring!

Tom Wesenberg · 09-25-2010, 10:03 AM

I would check it over very carefully for quality control. See that all the lining rivets are tight and the springs are secure in their pockets. Check the pressure plate fingers for even engagement with the T/O bearing.

I always put a small bit of grease on every pivot point of the pressure plate fingers and on the contact points with the T/O bearing.

Not just China, but any product from any country needs to be checked over. Quality control isn't what it used to be.

'29wagon · 09-25-2010, 10:03 AM

Jerry,
I think every one will hate you from now on. Is there a way to return it and buy something made here? No, I'm kidding about the hate part but that vender you're dealing with should present the manufactures location prior to your purchase, like Mac's does, no I haven't purchased yet from catalog venders but those that state parts built here with quality will get my order first.
It's a better build American car, I'd say keep it American .

Tom Endy · 09-25-2010, 11:05 AM

Most of the clutches I have seen carried by Model A suppliers do not have the six springs secured adequately.They appear to be stuck in an open window and held there by their own spring tension. I have seen several of these fail with one or more spring becoming dislodged and jamming the clutch. I will not use these clutch disks.

A number of years ago there was a company called Nova (now out of business) that was contracted to the government to produce clutch disks (I suspect for Ford jeeps). The ones they made for the Model A had little "grabbers" on both sides of each spring to prevent them from becoming dislodged.

I have picked up a number of Nova clutch disks (Nova is stamped on the disk) at swap meets with little wear on them. I bead blast them and measure the thickness. Both my Model A's have such a clutch disk installed.

One of my fellow club members recently ordered a clutch disk from Bratton's and I was surprised to see it had the little "grabbers" around each spring. If there are quality clutch disks around, Walt will find them.

Tom Endy

ford1 · 09-25-2010, 01:44 PM

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the china clutches are usually to thick and wont release completely when the clutch pedal is pushed to the floor, take the others advice, return the clutch and have yours rebuilt, it a lot of work to remove the trans just because you were sold a junk clutch

John LaVoy · 09-25-2010, 04:55 PM

I don't know if you saw the article about installing a diaphragm clutch in the Model A you can pick up the pieces locally and it is a modern clutch like those found in cars today. It was in Vol 6 Issue 2 of the Model A Times, Joe Way, who posts here quite regularly, wrote the article.

09-25-2010, 09:43 AM	#1
oldredford Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Moncks Corner, SC Posts: 439	Day late and a dollar short I have a very uneasy feeling about installing a complete made in china clutch kit bought from a well known vendor. The vendor says they are good. Now, no excuse but my own, I find out I could of had my USA clutch rebuilt by Ft. Wayne Clutch company. I don't mind paying more for USA made parts. So my big question is what am I to expect out of this China clutch kit? Jerry

09-25-2010, 09:59 AM	#2
Chris in CT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Connecticut Posts: 272	Re: Day late and a dollar short Hi Jerry, Nothing but the best! I am aware that there has been alot of bad press around Chinese parts, but did it ever occur to anyone that the problem is that the purchaser spect'd them out to be made as cheaply as possible? That the original company manufacturing these items sent the manufacturing overseas to reduce labor, safety, and pension costs? I don't know what modern car you presently drive, but I'll bet you that a good many components of that automobile are sourced in China. That being said, why don't you return the undamaged Chinese parts to the vendor, and have your original clutch rebuilt in Fort Wayne? Happy Motoring!

09-25-2010, 10:03 AM	#3
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Day late and a dollar short I would check it over very carefully for quality control. See that all the lining rivets are tight and the springs are secure in their pockets. Check the pressure plate fingers for even engagement with the T/O bearing. I always put a small bit of grease on every pivot point of the pressure plate fingers and on the contact points with the T/O bearing. Not just China, but any product from any country needs to be checked over. Quality control isn't what it used to be.

09-25-2010, 10:03 AM	#4
'29wagon Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: H.B. California Posts: 451	Re: Day late and a dollar short Jerry, I think every one will hate you from now on. Is there a way to return it and buy something made here? No, I'm kidding about the hate part but that vender you're dealing with should present the manufactures location prior to your purchase, like Mac's does, no I haven't purchased yet from catalog venders but those that state parts built here with quality will get my order first. It's a better build American car, I'd say keep it American .

09-25-2010, 11:05 AM	#5
Tom Endy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,131	Re: Day late and a dollar short Most of the clutches I have seen carried by Model A suppliers do not have the six springs secured adequately.They appear to be stuck in an open window and held there by their own spring tension. I have seen several of these fail with one or more spring becoming dislodged and jamming the clutch. I will not use these clutch disks. A number of years ago there was a company called Nova (now out of business) that was contracted to the government to produce clutch disks (I suspect for Ford jeeps). The ones they made for the Model A had little "grabbers" on both sides of each spring to prevent them from becoming dislodged. I have picked up a number of Nova clutch disks (Nova is stamped on the disk) at swap meets with little wear on them. I bead blast them and measure the thickness. Both my Model A's have such a clutch disk installed. One of my fellow club members recently ordered a clutch disk from Bratton's and I was surprised to see it had the little "grabbers" around each spring. If there are quality clutch disks around, Walt will find them. Tom Endy Last edited by Tom Endy; 09-25-2010 at 03:43 PM.

09-25-2010, 01:44 PM	#6
ford1 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: oroville ca. Posts: 1,554	Re: Day late and a dollar short Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) the china clutches are usually to thick and wont release completely when the clutch pedal is pushed to the floor, take the others advice, return the clutch and have yours rebuilt, it a lot of work to remove the trans just because you were sold a junk clutch

09-25-2010, 04:55 PM	#7
John LaVoy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rocklin, CA Posts: 1,219	Re: Day late and a dollar short I don't know if you saw the article about installing a diaphragm clutch in the Model A you can pick up the pieces locally and it is a modern clutch like those found in cars today. It was in Vol 6 Issue 2 of the Model A Times, Joe Way, who posts here quite regularly, wrote the article.