Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Auto to 5-Speed swap and exhaust brakes

[BigPapa]

Well, I'm finally getting rid of the auto in favor of a 5-speed and I was looking forward to maybe getting an exhaust brake when I ran across a little article in a back issue that was written by one of the fellas at SBC. In the article he stated that exhaust brakes and even down shifting was VERY hard on the clutch since it is designed to have torque applied in one direction. What's up with that?

 

[K5IP]

Now I'am starting to wonder about SBC!

 

[South Bend Clutch]

Now I'am starting to wonder about SBC!

Wow, what brought this kind of a comment on?



Folks, we were asked to right the article and did our best to explain what happens when when down shifting and exhaust brakes were applied. The article was to help extend clutch life. Come on, both down shifting and exhaust brakes use the clutch to stop the truck. The more you use the clutch the faster it wears. Think of it this way... take some sheet metal. Bend the metal one way, it will not brake it. But, if you bend it back the other way, then back, over and over it will eventually brake. This is just an analogy, not exactly how it works. Still, if you take the center of a clutch disc and torque it one way, how long will it last? Now take it and torque it one way then back the other way over and over. The wear parts and the springs are going to wear out faster.



I am in no way telling anyone not to use exhaust brakes or to not down shift. I am just tyring to show where the torque is applied when doing so.





Peter

 

[dclassens]

I agree, as an ASE certified Auto/Diesel tech, the post put up by SBC is dead on. The clutch is simply a wear item. More usage on the clutch will wear it out faster.

 

[BigPapa]

Peter,



Thanks for the straightening out. I can't do anything but apologize for the other guys comment, that's not why I started this thread. I figured someone with more manual transmission experience could tell me "What's up with that?". I have one of your Con O's sitting right here in the floor waiting for installation next week.



Scott

 

[NHouse]

You'll love the Con O, I just got one last week, I need to update my signature.



Just curious, why don't you like the auto?



Nick

 

[BigPapa]

I would love to have one of the built autos but I just don't have the funds in the budget for one. I could have my auto rebuilt for about the same price as this conversion is costing me but the auto in stock form is very, shall I say, "undesirable". I think it's a proven fact that the auto in stock form will not hold up behind the Cummins, much less one with ANY bombing. Just my opinion.



Scott

 

[K5IP]

Peter,

I'am sorry. I didn't stop to think

Rog

 

[Boomer II]

I'd skip the 5 and go to a six speed. After losing 5th four times I'm done.

 

[hsmith]

Stock clutch with E brake and too much load still lasted 125k. Use it empty too!