Class 8 Clutch

[BIGNASTY]

Now that I have found out that indeed I can buy a older Class 8 truck and haul a Big A** 5th wheel trailer with it and wont have to retro it with the P*** burning exhaust wallet gouger system.

I have a couple of questions about the new and older clutches on the older trucks.

1. If a truck has a twin disc clutch can it be converted to the single disc if I should want to?

2. The exact opposite question as 1?

The reason is that I really don't want to go to the trouble of an automatic swap if I don't have to. I have found that on my Buddies truck I can operate the clutch with my prosthetic leg, it takes some doing and I wouldn't want to get into a traffic jam and have to use it for very long. His clutch is a twin plate we put a new system in his when we rebuilt the motor the first of the year, its what was in it. His clutch feels like it has springs that are VERY TIGHT, its a Bit*h to push it to the floor.

When I had a truck MANY MANY MOONS AGO, it was a single disc, I put in a clutch that was to the best of my recollection called Velvet Clutch or Velvet touch? I really liked that clutch. It was super easy to push it to the floor and hold it without my leg quivering seconds later. If I could find this clutch or something on the same order that I can install in what ever truck I may buy. I would NOT have to go to the task of an Automatic Swap.

Would welcome any opinions on this as its been a very long time since I bent wrenches on a REAL TRUCK


BIG

 

[mwilson]

If you get into anything with some real power it will have a 15" twin disc clutch. 14" twin disc models are not used very much at all due to the much higher torque ratings of the newer diesels.

In your situation a Spicer Easy Pedal should be fine. Spicer also offers a Solo Self-Adjusting version, avoid that thing.

See if you can try a few other trucks out just to get a feel for the pedal effort. If you were closer you could come try a few out here on the lot......

In theory a 1650 ft lb clutch in an Easy Pedal model should push easily. Up here we sell mostly 1850 and 2050 versions for the high horsepower, overloaded crowd....

You can give the VIn of the trucks to me that you try even if they are not Freightliners and I can find out what they should be packing for a clutch. All of us local dealers share information so no big deal to find out, only a phone call away. That way we can tell what it is if you find one that works with your leg.

 

[GCroyle]

BIG,

Also ask Mikey to check and see if it has a Dual Mass Flywheel in that Class 8 clutch system. Really $$$ to replace.

Gary

 

[mwilson]

Big, was the clutch that you refer to above a "Valeo"???? Those were a 17" single plate clutch that didn't make the cut. We do run into one of those every few years and have to convert it to a 15" two plate Spicer.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Im pretty sure it was Velvet Something? its been a few sixpacks ago

I had it behind a Big Cam Cummins that was turned up to 475 HP. It was for sure a single disk had the old clutch that you had to turn the motor over to find the lock nut and tab, take it out and then bar the clutch adjuster around while someone stood on the clutch pedal to adjust it.

Thanks for the info I have my ears out for a nice tractor, would like to have a Cummins NON Computer, 13 speed, long nose, alum frame, 60" walk-in flat top, still have lots of old tractors in Calif that are up for sale because of the new emission control crap.

Thanks for the help

BIG

 

[GCroyle]

BIG,

Also ask Mikey to check and see if it has a Dual Mass Flywheel in that Class 8 clutch system. Really $$$ to replace.

Gary

So nobody bit on the Class 8 with a DMF, darn.

 

[mwilson]

I was going to question that, but had to finish orders after I got home and forgot about it...........

 

[mwilson]

Valeo single plate clutch....

http://valeoserviceusa.com/products/transmissions/clutch-kits/truck-kits

 

[Bill Lins]

Big, I think this is what you're remembering: http://www.velvetouchproducts.com/

 

[Newt]

Big

If you're going to convert a Class 8 to haul a 5th wheel, this is a source of much info by a bunch of guys that have done it.

http://www.rvnetwork.com/index.php?showtopic=88214

Newt

 

[BIGNASTY]

Big, I think this is what you're remembering: http://www.velvetouchproducts.com/

Bill that could very well be it, its been 30+ years ago and clutch names, brands were the last thing that I tried to remember. It was an easy peddle push and it held up pretty well if I remember right.

Big

If you're going to convert a Class 8 to haul a 5th wheel, this is a source of much info by a bunch of guys that have done it.

http://www.rvnetwork.com/index.php?showtopic=88214

Newt

Newt thanks all info is appreciated, been looking at so many different aspects of this its not funny. Didn't know there were as many as there is doing big rig RV's

 

[mwilson]

Have a look at this, Big. These guys make a living building completed gliders.

http://www.fitzgeraldtrucksales.com/

Mike.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Have a look at this, Big. These guys make a living building completed gliders.

http://www.fitzgeraldtrucksales.com/

Mike.

Thanks Mike

I will have to call these folks and have a talk. I had thought about a Glider Kit and buying an older Donner truck and swapping the running gear into the kit. But it seems that they have kind of covered their tracks by the Powered kits instead of a non powered kit and taking the running gear out of a truck with a bad cab. I helped a guy build a Kit years ago but that was when all that was needed was 12 volts in a few places and you were off to the races.

 

[mwilson]

Thanks Mike

I will have to call these folks and have a talk. I had thought about a Glider Kit and buying an older Donner truck and swapping the running gear into the kit. But it seems that they have kind of covered their tracks by the Powered kits instead of a non powered kit and taking the running gear out of a truck with a bad cab. I helped a guy build a Kit years ago but that was when all that was needed was 12 volts in a few places and you were off to the races.

It's more about matching the cab to the engine electrical....plus finding the correct fan drive, turbo / manifold height and location, and other peripherals.
We have built quite a few and it is far easier with a powered kit. All that tough stuff is all done for you. For example a Paccar product uses a mid mount turbo where a Western Star uses a high mount turbo. That's a $1,000.00 issue in itself. So if your donor motor does not match the glider you can spend a lot of extra cash getting stuff to come out right.
Been there, done it.

Some of the gliders out there are based on trucks that were never manufactured with mechanical engines. So the gauge cluster won't work, fan controls won't work and etc...

Far easier to use the transmission and rears from the donor, you will still qualify for the FET exemption. Feds figure that you are taking an old polluting truck off the road and replacing it with a newer emissions rated truck. But '98 emissions is still allowed for another year I believe. After that gliders will have to meet '04 emissions which is still pre- DPF.

Mike.

 

[Slow Six]

Have you thought of getting a class 8 with auto shift or something similar? They seem to work well in the commercial world. I've seen some of these on RVs in my travels, they are nice units.