Question about single disc clutch: Flywheel resurface?

[jwilliams3]

Friend just bought an SBC FE single disc for his 03 6spd.

His current clutch has about 50k miles on it and is not slipping.

Is it necessary to have the stock flywheel resurfaced?

 

[bmoeller]

Would be a good idea to at least have it touched up. Probably won't take much.

 

[Scrappy]

put it like this, does he want to chance having the new clutch screwed up by the un-machined flywheel? And I think I heard something about the stock machining on the flywheel not being flat from the factory.

 

[rubberneck]

When i put my first FE in back in 01, I had slipped my original clutch. The flywheel didn't have any heat cracks or checks, so i just used a DA sander with med grit paper and scuffed the flywheel. The FE material is pretty aggressive. When i pulled the FE out 30k later, it had cut into the flywheel pretty good. It drove and held like every other FE i have driven. That FE will "wear" itself into the flywheel in no time. Id say if it looks good run it. As far as the stock flywheel not being cut flat, I dont know, maybe peter will chime in and clear that up. Im sure he will say to have it ground, because that is what everybody always says is the best.

 

[JHardwick]

No need, put it in ang go.

 

[RobertP]

it's allways a good idea to have the flywheel resurfaced before a new clutch goes in. the new clutch will break in quicker and provide longer life with a refreshed surface.

 

[mattymac]

1k dollar clutch and about 50 bucks to make the flywheel surface like brand new agin? Thats cheap insurance!

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I never resurfaced mine for the LUK Cerametallic, just scuffed it up good like the fella further above - never had any issues of any kind to date - about 30K miles on the disc - lots of RV towing. Of course, my flywheel hadn't been abused, and looked like new at the time of the swapout.



I suspect the more aggressive clutches will rather quickly "resurface" their own contact areas...

 

[TheWolf]

I resurfaced mine, If I remember I thought it might not be necessary, but recommended to do so.

 

[zstroken]

I would recommend it. I personally would have gotten the kit that came with the new flywheel, it has the updated bearing and all.

 

[The Adjuster]

It is absoloutley necessary, if you dont it will shorten the life of your clutch and or cause it to fail. using a buffer is even a worse idea and it is true that the factory flywheels are not completley flat but it is also true you cannot cut or resurface a flywheel flat either, it will have about . 002 taper after resurfacing, no flywheel machine can cut it absoloutley flat. it would bogg the machine down.

 

[jelag]

The real key here... . is that Peter won't even consider any warranty issues with his product against an un-surfaced flywheel... . on the other hand, if it was flat, had no heat checks in it... . I'd just bolt up the new clutch... .

Just my 5 cents worth... .

To: The Adjuster... . Our 25 HP grinder that we use on Spicer pull type clutches uses a 14" diameter stone that has a rim width of 2" it does grind flat and can easily hold . 000 +/- . 0005" on important work... . Small grinders that are using a 5 or 6" cup wheel with 5 or 7 1/2 HP have the center line of the grinding motor tipped so that the leading edge of the cup wheel is all that strikes the flywheel thus the results of a tapered flywheel..... On the other hand some clutch manufactures want some taper in the flywheel..... allows for smoother engagement of the disc and less chatter.....

 

[LMcCary]

jwilliams3



Been repairing trucks, cars and equipment for 40 plus years. Do yourself a favor and surface that flywheel on a large stone surfacer as the last post said. The clutch will last longer, engage smoother because the surface is flat which will allow the clutch to center without dancing around. The pilot bearing will last longer too.

LMcCary

Equipment Instructor

 

[jwilliams3]

He ended up getting it re-surfaced.

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[staarma]

Don't the stock flywheels on these trucks have a taper in them for smoother engagement that needs to be ground out of them? That's what I was told.