Mitchells pulling clutch?

[Don M]

Ive noticed that Joe does not tell people what to do. He listens to me and even if the idea is no good he still listens. Over the months I have found it much easier to just listen when he talks.

Let it sink in. He has given everyone on the TDR the formula for 600HP, but no-one wil listen or read and understand.



Im sure he never told you to release the clutch completely to get the truck moving. Its general knowledge and telling someone a thing like that could be considered rude by some.



Did you ever consider that slipping a clutch while pulling 40,000 pounds is kinda tough on them? Not a flame at all Gene, just wondering if it crossed your mind. I understand that with less than 400HP you had to slip the thing to get the weight moving though.

Answer me a question... what aftermarket clutchs were available when you bought Joes? SouthBend was just getting the performance clutchs going good and the Mitchell stuff was rare or not available if Im correct. Actually, I remember you saying something about how the Mitchells did the installation of the DRE for you.

I have limited knowledge of the Mitchell's clutch, but I do know they cut the flywheel down a bunch to get it all to fit in the limited space.



Don~

 

[Sled Puller]

Nope, on most of that Don, you guys keep repeating your stories long enough, even you begin to believe them.



Mitchell's was available at the time, so was SBC but somebody who talked a real good game scared me away fron BOTH of those.

What a horrible mistake.



No failures eh? Just more of your spin.

 

[Rob Thomas]

I'm just gonna' slip right in here, I've read this whole post and all the bla bla, and I just wana know, what differance it makes that the flywheel is cut down, I mean if it's not causing problems,why would you care? It seems Gene is on his own here while you guys keep hackin' on 'em, you guys are like a couple a kids, fightin' over a toy. Unless you tried that clutch, how can you have an opinion, good grief.



And just fer the record, I don't use EITHER of those clutches, but one day a may.

 

[South Bend Clutch]

Concerning cutting the flywheel...



This is actually common practice with modifying in the high performance industry. The dodge flywheel is 1 1/2" thick new. To modify the flywheel for the double disk unit the flywheel needs to be cut to accomdate one disk and one center plate. These feramic style of disks, depending on what company's disk is used, range from . 300" to . 480". The center plate, or floater plate, can run . 250" light duty or . 300" heavy duty. So put that together and your minimum requirement . 550" to maximum HD of . 780". Still leaving a least 3/4" of meat left to the flywheel.



One thing I will say, that if Gene was told that the 2 prior clutches that he had were capable of handling sled pulling, he should not have been. Just because a clutch can hold HP does not make it a sled pulling clutch. I think Gene, or anyone, will attest to, when they call me during their clutch search, that I tell them that my clutches were NOT designed for that.



Peter

 

[MCummings]

Originally posted by Sled Puller

Yea,er,um, mine is a BIT throttle responsive!! I can see it now:



Gene loses pull because some hilljack auto transmission guys smokes his tires to the cords!!

Just turn your AFC wayyyy down. I might have DD3's, a B-1 and MAYBE a Drag COMP by the time Muncie comes around. So, Mine will be a bit "touchy" also.



Not to be the potstirrer or flame thrower yadda yadda,, But you have turned down a test drive because your truck is "A bit throttle responsive". Please don't take this personal, but,, Are you concerned your clutch might get some bad rep. if a "rookie" or Baby BOMBer drives your truck??



Merrick Cummings Jr



P. S. I've heard a rumour around that you can't adjust anything on your truck after Enteprise has tuned 'em. If this is true,, does that mean you may not turn down your AFC ??

 

[D Factor]

Unless you tried that clutch, how can you have an opinion, good grief.



Thank you. Most of these guys have never even sniffed a truck with the amount of power that requires a clutch of this magnitude. Until they have driven one they just need to read and learn.

 

[MCummings]

ROFL @ exhausted's sig



So anybody wanna help me get up to Gene's HP ???



I can bump some BD5's and NOS instead of the DD3's,, I'm scared of the Propane. Might run it for towing though...



BUT,, Since nobody with a Mitchell clutch wants to Compare the feel, I'll let it go. I'm still BOMBing my truck though. I wonder at what HP Peter will start to sweat at?? LOL 450-500 ??



I love my SBC,, Gene loves his Mitchell clutch (Exhausted too). Different strokes for different folks.



I wish Enteprise would get on the TDR. Really would be great. I know they are busy but atleast they could explain some parts and stuff. I guess no one would believe a 500HP streetable truck with a rigid disk clutch, twin turbo's, and 100,000 miles, that can sled pull.



Merrick Cummings Jr

 

[thepitts]

Muncie Pulling

Gene: I will pull in Muncie if I can use your truck!! Mine doesn't have enough ponies under the hood.

 

[MCummings]

Just to clear one thing up. I'm not going to sled pull. If I let somebody drive my truck, it's gonna be around the block, down the highway in the parking lot, etc. etc. No sled pulling for me. Drags, ok, but sleds, No.



Merrick Cummings Jr

 

[Sled Puller]

Merrick,

My last two clutches were harder than this one to drive, all three, combined with the way my truck is set -up, would make a rookie look real bad.



Hammer took a few minutes to get used it, but as with any clutch in any application, you have to get the feel for it.



Sheryl has driven it with no problem. However, the last clutch, she refused to drive the truck again after she tried it. (not SBC)



But no, I will not let a rookie learn to drive a Xhp truck on my wallet.

I offered it to Todd because from talkiing to him, I know he can at least drive.





Mitchell rumors are as rampant as "Ford owns Cummins". That is one of them.



I had my TP cranked back, AFC full back, and my valet switch on, and it is still touchy.

 

[MCummings]

Ok,, problem solved,, but I'm still gonna try to go to Muncie,, You going too ?



I'll watch you Pull.



Maybe you can help my virgin eyes?? I've never seen twin-turbo's in real life before.

You show me your turbo's and I'll show you my stacks?? Oh wait,, My stacks aren't as stealthy as "twins" LOL.



Merrick Cummings Jr

 

[Sled Puller]

This does not mean that we are swapping spit in the shower.



Pitts, I bet you would:{

 

[Turbo Trucker]

Re: Re: Mitchells pulling clutch?

Yup. At this point in time I needed to go with cost effectiveness, and Peter gave me a deal on the 13 inch since I already had purchased from him before.



And let me just pause this thread and say damn... I've never started a thread this long before... ok continue on

Originally posted by Sled Puller





Just in case you guys forgot, the original question was ASKING about Mitchell's clutch and HD input shaft.



I believe he has decided to go with Peters new 13".

 

[Diesel Freak]

Geez, this is almost as big a ******* match as the Automatic transmission threads. I read this hoping to get a little info, but what I see is just opinion.



I have a South Bend CON FE in my little anemic ETH.



This is not a pulling clutch, and if slipped for an extended period of time it will melt together into one piece.



I spoke to Peter when looking for a clutch, and he was very up front with me and explained exactly how this clutch will operate... it is a little grabby, but holds everything I send at it.



The one thing I was hoping to see from this thread is what gear to launch in when pulling a sled.



so, what gear would be best suited for a 350HP truck with 3. 55 gears and 35" tires?



2nd low, or 3rd low?

 

[Sled Puller]

The engine will handle 3rd low.



Your clutch will like 2 low much, much better. But that is crawling at the track.





I ran 1 high a few times trying to make a poor clutch live, but only had 285 all terrains.

Those 35's will take their toll.

 

[KWIKKURT]

Great a thread that my long posts is the norm!

Ok my turn!



I have replaced my SouthBend 2001 Con FE. Why??



It all started at MayMaddness last year when I gave Peter (SB) a ride in my truck after adding a PE Comp and DD'3s to my KSHX4012 setup. We were tearing up the steets of Vegas. I remember saying to Peter it is was amazing to me that a clutch that was so easy to operate (even for the better half) could hold so much Torque. He had a grin ear to ear and said it would take even more power to slip/break this 13" FE clutch. I Ofcourse took this as a challenge and Vowed to myself to tear it apart one way or another and Knock Ol'Peter down a peg or two.



For the next 68,000+ miles I drove the clutch like I was still in HighSchool in my Dad's 1970 Chev 1500 1/2 ton. ( I burned out three cluthes in two trucks in one year)



Here is some examples off how I drovew mySB Clutched truck Just to name a few... ..... Towing 20 or more 30,000+ Lb Diesel Pusher motor homes, atleast 100+ cars and Big Tired 4x4's Buried to the Frame out of deep sand on the Beaches of mexico.



Towing Dozens off Vehicles with their 30-40ft Trailers in tow back to the USA and to their AAA Safety Zones!!



One of my favorite one was the Huge American "Provost" Tour Buss that had Broken a drive axle in the sand when they had pulled off the Hwy. I got out my Trusty 4" round Rope/Strap (Shrimp/Fishing Boat Tow rope) Pulled him back on the Hwy and back to the USA While trying to see how fast I could get the Buss going several times in the 1/4 mile!! The Phx Provost Shop Manager said it was the fastest he had ever been "Accelerated" in any Diesel let alone while Riding in a Broken Buss! It is real Cool to have the power roll in and have all four tires spinning on Dry pavement.



One of his shop service guys later told me he went out and bought a Dodge CTD Pickup when he got back to Phx.



I have Hundreds of 1/4 mile runs on the street and at least 40+ at the Drag strip 14. 5 ET (Best So Far).



When towing two trailers at over 33,000 lbs for over 500 miles I stomp shifted my truck with the GO pedal Glued to the Floor at least 5 times up to 80 MPH.



I have given Dozens and Dozens of "Demo" Rides where I never let up on the GO pedal when shifting.





Last time at the dragstrip I was trying to do the Biggest Burnouts and would dump the clutch at 2500 rpm while standing on the brake and the gas and once even welded the Clutch together so I couldn't even line up for the 1/4 et run. I told the track official I had to just drive on down the track and forfeit the run..... I gave it hell anyway and it broke lose... . So I came back around and won the next four races all under 14. 8 sec ET.



This is only part of what I have put my SB 2001 Con FE clutch thru... I won't bore you all with the rest.



Oyeah I even did a little SledPulling... ...



I finally gave up and admitted defeat... . I was going to end up breaking my Truck in Half before I could break my Clutch. (I have found gear teeth in the trans case)



Now that I had a lift at my shop and someone else to do most of the dirty work I decided to pull the clutch out and take a look at it. After all it had to be close to worn out... .



What did I find?? The pressure Plate / Cover had some wear, The fly wheel was ready for reinstallition after only . 021 worth of machining and the 68,000 mile "Slightly Abused" Clutch disk had so little friction material missing that It looked like it was still the same thickness as a new one off the shelf. I called and asked Peter to resurface the Disk and send it back to me. The clutch hub and springs were also fine.



So what did I put back in my truck..... SBC 2001 Con FE... ...



But right now what would I install if my main concern was Sled Pulling ??... . Most likely EE Dual disk... ... You know that Dave and his crew have to have the most experiance with Pulling Clutches in our CTD pickups... ... ... But if SB comes out with a Dual Disk please put me on the waiting list... Of course I want it easier to push than my stock one, With no Chatter or Noise!





To be Fair I do Now sell and Install SB Products..... Kurt 505-534-0434

 

[HiPerf360]

Originally posted by exhausted

Unless you tried that clutch, how can you have an opinion, good grief.



Thank you. Most of these guys have never even sniffed a truck with the amount of power that requires a clutch of this magnitude. Until they have driven one they just need to read and learn.

Not enough horse power?... . WHATEVER!



BTW- I let amateurs drive my truck all of the time, even taught my girlfriend how to drive a standard with it.

 

[TxDieselKid]

Originally posted by HiPerf360

BTW- I even taught my girlfriend how to drive a standard with it.

Ba!!s of steel! That is half the reason that I got a auto!!!



Andrew

 

[Hammer]

WOW,,I see with me being around the west all week this thing has gotten to a bigtime war,,It absoulutely amazes me that so many people(vendors included) can flame a product they have NEVER driven or experienced first hand,,One would actually have to think that given what these clutches are supposed to do,hook,the question was more than answered. I'm glad he made his choice it was his to do and he'll certainly stand by it,one way or the other.

Now for those who have never driven the Mitchell clutch all I can

is wait till you do then form your own opinions on it,,Rattle or not it DOES HOOK and when you want it too,,Noise,well since its not a perfect world I myself would give a little excess rattle for knowing when I want it its ready,,This noise crapola makes me wonder if any of you are actually driving Cummins trucks because if you were noise would not be a issue here,hook would be,,I have driven two different trucks out here with the clutch assemblies in and they both react and drive the same(one truck dyno'ed at over 400hp and Gene's hp truck).

The money I have wasted on clutches(McCleod & Centerforce) is exactly the reason I ended up here,to learn from my mistakes,,Sometimes I wish people would keep that in mind when flaming a product instead of actually posting a valid reason why they did not like the product so the newbies can also learn from the unending resources we have here,, Then those same want to know why some vendors are afraid to post and do not want to offer advice,good or bad.

One last thing and off to get some long overdue rest,some of these threads need to be allowed to fill with info for all to learn by,not to become product flaming threads(especially when you have no experience with them)so this can get back to being the most informative diesel reference site going,PERIOD,,Think about it... ... .....





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