Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) clutches, best of the current brands this year?

[DKarvwnaris]

I've been out of the loop for a while. I just got my truck out for the first time in a long time. 5th gear nut has backed off, with 150,000 miles on the NV4500, so I went ahead and bought a Blumenthal's rebuild. The new trans is here, now I have to get a day free to swap it out. Since I'm in there, I plan on replacing the clutch as well.



As of June 2008, what companies are still making a decent clutch for our trucks? I'm not running high HP/torque, but I pull a 10,000 lb trailer through the hills alot. (usually closer to 15,000 lbs).



I remember Southbend being a good choice, but with the huge amount of Chinese outsourced garbage infiltrating our parts suppliers, I want to make sure I'm buying something worth swapping out the old one for. The clutch I have in there now is fine, but it has well over 130,000 miles from what I remember. Murphy's law is just too common with my luck, so I'm not looking forward to pulling the transmission twice in 1 year.



So, any brand suggestions and good retailer contacts? I still have my business account with Oreilly Auto Parts, but rarely if ever buy clutches from them, so I don't even know what brands they offer.



I'm in no rush to do this, I have several things on the burner already to deal with. The truck needs alot of work to bring it out of mothballing before I'll start using it daily again.



Thanks for any links/leads

 

[kentdiesel]

Since your going to be towing I think the SouthBend MU 13-1. 25 CON OFE would be a good choice. It has a large hub like 6 speed clutches. I've had mine in for several months and its doing well. Southbend's customer service is excellent.





South Bend Clutch Catalog 12 Valve Engine and Drivetrain

 

[kentkroeker]

The KORE race team has trusted South Bend Clutches for many years. It was a single disc South Bend Clutch that got the first Cummins across the finish line of the Baja 1000 in 2004. We also use South Bend in our chase and support vehicles.



I wouldn't use any other product. They're not made in China and they're not made of cheap stuff. In one year we got four races and thousands of miles of testing from one South Bend single disc clutch - and it still looked new. We use that same clutch for a spare now. These are long distance, punishing desert races that relentlessly torture parts like clutches - especially when run behind a frantic Hemi spinning 6000 rpm all the time.



We use the dual disc South Bend Clutches to tow and haul with the diesel trucks and the single disc South Bend Clutches for the off road diesels and the race truck.



South Bend, Blumenthals and KORE have been working on some pretty innovative drivetrain stuff lately. Things that are somewhat different from the norm. I think I'll start a new thread and post some pictures to show the TDR.



Cheers,



Kent Kroeker

 

[ChrisBlevins]

Go with they Con OFE it's a heavy duty, very well made clutch, it's not jerky comes with a new 13" flywheel you just can't go wrong. We install several every year at the shop and you can't ask for better people to do business with.

 

[Dave M]

I just replaced my clutch in Nov with a South Bend MU 13. 125 Con O. I don't do heavy towing, just horses occasionally, and thats what they suggested. If I did it again I would go Con OFE as suggested. South Bend has a great product and service.



I also replaced my clutch master/slave setup with South Bends heavy duty one that is a sealed unit. Replaced the pivot ball and spring on the pivot arm since mine looked worn (about $25 from dealer). Also replaced the crank rear seal (easy job) with one from Cummins (came with an installer tool) and the transmission input shaft seal/retainer but yours is new already.



South Bend rocks.



Dave

 

[FordCummins]

Another vote for SBC. The Con OFE will be hard to beat for your application, and will leave room for power upgrades if need be. Two things you are guaranteed with SBC are unmatched customer service, and the highest quality components in all their products.

 

[DKarvwnaris]

Thanks for the replies everyone.



Southbend was already at the top of my list from previous experience, so the choice has been made even easier with the input here



Rear main seal is a given for me, won't go that far in without R/Ring anything that wears. Like I said, one time out is enough per year, I hate rework. Too many other things I'd rather do with my time, like watch paint dry, compared to repeats.

 

[Dave M]

The rear seal was easy. Just drill 2 holes 180 degrees apart to insert a sheet metal screw and put vise grips on the screw and pop it out. I used a slide hammer and it didn't take much to pop it out. I've seen expensive special tools to do this but it's basically very easy.



Measure the depth of the old seal with calipers (before you remove it) to try to put the new seal a little further in on a new spot so it won't leak. The seal kit has a metal ring like the one for the front crank seal to set the depth of the new seal.



Dave

 

[CNolen]

If you want a good clutch for half the price Valair is a good choice. I use it in my truck and we pull about 16,000lbs often and I have had no trouble with it at all. If you call them speak with Dan and let him know what you have and they will mathch a clutch they have with your needs. We put a SBC in my brothers truck and I put a Valair in mine and the customer service we recieved from valair was excellent. Hope it helps

 

[Woodenhead]

Another vote for South Bend here. Yes it's a little more expensive but you get what you pay for. I'm pushing the limits of my FE and it's taking it like a champ with no complaints.



Do a search and see miles of posts about the quality product SB has and the top notch customer service. I had was in a pinch rounding up parts to replace my 1. 25 shaft FE for my 4500 with a 1. 375 for the 5600 and Peter at SB treated me better than I could have ever expected.



Do another search for clutches and you'll see many posts about folks that have tried numerous other brands and later regreted their decisions.



Whatever your choice, I hope it works out for you.



Mike

 

[DKarvwnaris]

I believe the last Southbend clutch I had was a part #: MU0090RALLY

Does anyone know what the difference is between this and the others mentioned above? I have not planned on going over stock on diameter, I want to retain the resurfaced flywheel I already have for it with a pilot bearing upgrade.

 

[kentdiesel]

I believe the last Southbend clutch I had was a part #: MU0090RALLY

Does anyone know what the difference is between this and the others mentioned above? I have not planned on going over stock on diameter, I want to retain the resurfaced flywheel I already have for it with a pilot bearing upgrade.

The Rally is a 12 1/4" clutch for a 5 speed with a 1. 25 input shaft(stock size) rated for 350hp



The MU 13-1. 25 CON OFE mentioned above is a 13" clutch for a 5 speed with a 1. 25 input shaft rated for 450hp, comes with a redrilled flywheel because pressure plate bolt pattern is different than smaller clutch.



The 13" clutch is a upgrade because it has a stronger hub.



I prefer the 13" clutch because I had a hub spring come out of a

12 1/4" clutch, it didn't strand me but it locked the clutch to where pushing the pedal in made no difference. A little inconvenient a stop signs and red lights.