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Clutch question

  • Thread starter Deleted member 3254
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After a long wait, my engine rebuild is supposed to be completed by next Friday. Then, it's time to put the '59 Bugeye back together again. The newly rebuilt engine is a 1275 and the trans is the original smoothcase - I know it would have been better to replace the trans with a newer unit, but it was performing well and I'm on a limited budget etc... My question concerns the appropriate replacement clutch kit to use - my gut tells me I should order the original 948/smoothcase version. Has anyone else gone thru this and do you have any advice? I appreciate the vast amount of experience you all have. I know just enough to get into trouble. I'm sure I'll have more questions as I go thru the process of putting it all back together again.
 
If you are using the stock 1275 flywheel (which I would expect) then you have to use a 1275 clutch disk and pressure plate. You also may need to use a 1275 T.O. bearing & fork, and you might need to use a different slave cylinder and pushrod to get the travel correct.
 
1275 clutch and p/plate for sure, it's the only one that will fit. All the t/o bearings are the same but the smooth case vs rib case release forks are a bit different. You might have to experiment with the slave cyl rod length.
Stock 1275 is 2 11/16" from center of hole to end. I know the 948 is shorter, but I do not know by how much. There again, the 948 clutch was deeper so maybe, everything will work.
To make a "makeshift" slave rod, take a 3" long 3/8" bolt, cut the head off, heat it red hot and smash one end semi flat to where you can drill a 5/16" hole in it for the clevis pin. Round off the other end a bit with a grinder and you have a starting point. Gradually cut off 1/4" of the bolt until you have the correct length.
You can tell by the clutch pedal feel and just make sure the t/o bearing is clear of the p/plate by 1/16 to 1/8" when your foot is off the pedal. You can sort of see this thru the inspection hole.

Frank
 
Thanks for your help - I would have gotten into trouble without it! I'm getting my parts list ready for an order and keeping my fingers crossed that the rebuilt engine will be delivered Friday.
Charlie
 
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