Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Clutch hunting

[DMather]

Well, with 365,000 miles on the original clutch, I've decided to start shopping for a new clutch to have "just in case" and am amazed the amount of time I've spent "shopping" without finding a clutch.



I'm looking for something that will handle heavy towing for a 2002 5. 9 HO 6 speed with only a 4"" exhaust, air cleaner and possibly a +40hp injector set. (maybe a smarty in the future but not sure) In other words, stock with a little polish on it, can't ever see going past +100hp from stock. Driving is mix of open road and city.



The problem I keep running into is the HO (ETH) engine. Everything states for non-ETH.



Would prefer full "kit" including flywheel.



(and of course I would like it for under $200! :-laf )



Help? Suggestions? Thanks

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

For $200 I could send you my old style South Bend OFE with a busted center hub. Free shipping of course! Just kidding!!!

My truck is set up exactly how you want yours set up and I tow with it for a living. I highly recommend the South Bend OFE. My original old style OFE broke the center hub because, in the words of South Bend's Peter, the newer boxes (like my Smarty!) have added so much power down low in the rpm band that the hub could no longer hold it. I was towing an Alfa Gold 40' triple axle extremely heavy (20,000 #?) fifth wheel into a 30 mph head wind at 65 mph with 30# boost when the center hub let go. I called Peter to find out if I needed to move to a stronger clutch when he informed me about the new style OFE they had designed and built like a semi tractor clutch in order to hold the power. Previously South Bend had purchased clutches from another manufacturer and then reworked them to be a South Bend. Now when you buy a clutch from SB it is all SB!!! My new style OFE has held up wonderfully. The flywheel you will get from SB will have a larger pilot bearing. Whatever the OFE costs in the long run it will be cheap because it will be the last clutch you will ever buy! Call Peter at SB and he will steer you straight, 800. 988. 4345. And tell him Trent sent you.

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[BDaugherty]

I think that your price wishes for a clutch are unrealistic. I haven't priced one from the parts store, but Dodge gets around $600 and South Bend list price is $700. Peter offered me a flywheel for $200... I think it was new with no core. I had mine resurfaced locally for $25.

I've told the full story a couple times before, so I won't write it all out again, but Peter took really good care of me on my OFE. I've been very happy with it and would buy it again.

My word of advice is to KNOW exacty what you will do to the engine before you buy a clutch. If I knew for a fact that I was only gonna use some small injectors I might be tempted to run a SB con O. However, better talk to Peter to get your recommendations. I may or may not really have a clue. What I can tell you is that with the stock clutch and an Edge Juice, I couldn't tow higher than level 3 or 4 without slipping the stock clutch. With the OFE, I can tow on level 6 with no slippage.

 

[DMather]

I think that your price wishes for a clutch are unrealistic.

You must have missed the :-laf on my original post... (I was also hoping for a flywheel I could lift with one hand, too. )

Thanks for the rest of your post.

My truck is set up exactly how you want yours set up and I tow with it for a living.

Gee, and I notice you are "inconveniently" located right near the RV industry. (I pulled for QDA for a very short stint while my computer business was getting going. Now, it's going like mad and the truck is just happy pulling the trailer on weekends. )

Looks like I'm going to be going after the DynaMax MU1947 Con OFE and and flywheel with bearings. I'll call Peter on Monday and see if I'm on the right track. I had been on SB's site but wasn't finding anything. (it was well hidden. )



Thanks to both on the heads up...