I hope that is the case, but I always seemed to the newest clutch out by SBC. Considering I had one design flaw, one poor quality control issue (machining not finished, per SBC and they set me a new one next day air no charge) and one failure, and for the one still in the truck, I think it has some thermal issue where either the clutch disk or pressure plate is warping as it heats up to normal temp. I am now 50 years old and a disabled Vet, I can't take out the transmission myself anymore and would have to pay someone to do it, it forced me to sell the truck and get a new one with an automatic which really broke my heart to let her go after 12 years.
as for installation issues, I AWAYS have my flywheel resurfaced or replaced with a new one(purchased from SBC), I use a trans jack for install and removal and have done a lot of clutches for customers when I was a mechanic from MGBs to my Hemi Challenger as well as some tractors and a peterbuilt or two.
Also I had 2 SBC HD clutch hydraulics that somehow get air in the system, I don't know. If anyone has time and has the SBC HD hydraulics, check to see if you have air in your system, its really easy and will help you with your shifting. remove the slave cylinder from transmission, its two 13mm nuts, leave the hydraulic line connected, have someone up to at the clutch master cylinder take the cap off and watch for air bubbles as you depress the shaft all the way in on the slave cylinder , repeat until no more bubbles show up in clutch master cylinder, it usually took me 5 or 6 times to not see any more bubbles, reinstall the slave cylinder. I would do this every 3 to 4 months.
let me know if anyone else has had this issue.
thanks
Kyle