SBC Con OFE a mistake

[AC]

I'd read so much about South Bend Clutch and their quality product that when it came time for a new clutch I didn't consider anything else. My big debate was whether to go for the Con O or the OFE. Having suffered through 6000 plus miles with this clutch I feel I can safely say I made a BIG MISTAKE!

My old clutch was slipping under a load but my new clutch doesn't slip at all. In fact it's so sticky my whole truck shakes unless I match the RPM perfectly. Too low with the RPM and you feel as though someone gives you a sharp tug from behind. Too high with the RPM and the whole truck shakes. I've tried many different techniques but unless I am totally focused I get a bad shift.

I have been hoping that it will get better or that I will get better but it's just not happening. I can't stand to let my wife drive anymore. She used to share the driving but with this new clutch she just can't drive it with out terrible difficulty. :-{} So for the sake of marital harmony, I do all the driving now

I called the shop who put it in and they said I was driving it wrong... . I suppose that's a predictable response but it's still irritating.

So if you're considering a new clutch don't be talked into the OFE unless you have to have that much holding power. It just makes daily driving a big disappointment.



AC

 

[zstroken]

Clutch

Are you having these problems loaded or unlaoded?? I have an FE and there is a slight jerkiness to the clutch, but i can still use it to back up slowly. Did the shop put in the resurfaced flywheel?? I think there is something definatly wrong with your clutch. My FE has performed very well other than a few times of me pouring the coals to it before it was fully engaged and slipping it

 

[csevers]

Some thing must be wrong, My ofe didn't shift bad once moving just from a dead stop. My ofe held the power very well and was fairly smooth engaging even when backing up trailers/wagons. Have you called the "Clutch King" Peter? He takes care of most problems. Make some calls something just isn't right.



Good Luck

Craig

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

Did you call Peter at SBC? Do it first thing Monday morning. He stands behind his product like no one elce and will most likely have an answer. My experience with all the supliers I have delt with on TDR has been very good they all stand behind what they sell - if you talk to the about your problems.



Bob

 

[Whitmore]

AC,



Your answers are posted here now



1) Did you call Peter for his clutch wisdom? If not than do it, Peter is awsome with his product support and prolly has the answer you need.



2) Did the shop that installed the clutch surface the fly wheel? I bet not, it is my opinion that this is the problem, Talk to Peter ASAP.



I cant blame you for being dissapointed in the performance but I bet it aint the clutch... ... ... ... ..... Let us know.



Cheers, Kevin

 

[Mad Bomber]

South bend

I had the chance to meet Peter at PDR he's one he!! of a guy. And he stands behind his clutches all the way. CALL PETER ASAP!!!!!!

I also have the OFE and love it. Did you also let it seat into the fly wheel? Many in the NW have found that when takeing off from a dead stop get RMP's to 1100 then let the clutch out. Peter also said that it's better to ALWAYS start out in 1st gear even though it's some what short.

 

[Mad Bomber]

South bend

AC, if you want I could meet you somewhere and compare between our trucks we have simular set up's. I live in Lynnwood Wa. Just E-Mail a P-M if you want to meet. Eric

 

[AC]

E Wagner, that's a great idea. I have been trying to adjust my driving to make the clutch work better but hadn't thought to try a comparison with someone else's truck. That would help me to know what to do. I have been thinking I would just tear it out and start over but perhaps it's something else. I can't imagine what else could be the problem because it's quite clearly the clutch that's causing me so much grief .



I am also going to call Peter on Monday. Another good suggestion. It just feels way too sticky. Like I have to dump the clutch or it will start to chatter and shake. And yes, it is worse when on a hill. The absolute worst is towing and having to start on an incline.



And yes the fly wheel was surfaced. In fact the clutch was installed by a very reputable shop often used by members of this board.



Thanks for the suggestions. I will let you know if anything helps. AC

 

[South Bend Clutch]

AC,



First off, sorry to here of your problems. Though the OFE can be aggressive it should in no way be that difficult to drive. One thing that is very important that I have stressed may times is matching the torque capability of the clutch with the torque of the truck. This is why I offer different levels of clutches. Just because it holds more power does not make it a better/longer lasting clutch. Our clutches are designed to last as long as a stock clutch with stock horse power, matching the proper clutch with the given horse power. I hope this makes sense. Seeing that your 98 only has an Edge EZ and DD 2's, unless you intended to add considerably more horse power, you should only be running in the high 200hp the low 300hp. This would put you into the CON O. You are running a clutch that is designed for 450hp. Torque capability of the clutch properly matched to the torque given by the truck = smooth engagement. Reason, it is mainly do to how the clutch gets seated/broken in.



There are many other factors that could be causing your problems... to many to list, as well as the clutch itself (we can not rule that out) but, the first thing you need to do is call me on Monday. Then, take it back to the place where the work was done and have them call me. I will deal with the installer from this point and your problem will be fixed.



Peter

 

[marksmith]

See. What'd we tell ya. Peter is a very stand up guy. He replaced a clutch for me that started slipping. I havent heard what the deal was but after my dyno at PDR I think I might know. (439. 4HP/1110 TQ) His first words were "Mark, give me your address so I can get you another one out. We can figure out what went wrong later. " Cant argue with that at all. Hes the only supplier I will send my business to. Give em a chance. He will make it right.



Peter. You are a stud. Nice meeting you at PDR



Take care

Mark

 

[AC]

You guys were right, Peter is a " stand up guy"



I tried many different things to fix this driveability problem but in the end I decided to just change the clutch out. I believe it's just too much grab for the HP. So I called Peter and told him what I wanted to do and he is sending me a Con O for free Can you believe that?

I called the folks that installed it and set it up to be switched out. They'll need to resurface the fly wheel again. No point in cutting corners. They have'nt said how much yet but I know they'll keep the cost down as much as possible.

So I'm feeling pretty good about the whole thing. I'll update the thread when the new clutch is in.



Thanks again Peter!



AC

 

[Sixpack]

AC, I too battled with the decision of the Con O or the Con OFE. I called Peter and Rod @ Wildcat Diesel and they both told me if I was happy with my HP level to install the Con O and save the $200 for other bombs! I did and I'm happy! This clutch is so smooth you'll love it! Good luck, Phil

 

[AC]

Thanks for the encouragement. I've been lamenting going to the O. What if I want more power? I finally decided that it's good right where it is. More than anything I need it to be a work horse. I tow horses and haul my camper and haul garbage to the dump..... I want it to be driver friendly. Looking forward to having all that torque coupled to a smooth clutch

 

[Sixpack]

If you want more power, you'll be back into the OFE. I like the power level I'm at. I think IMHO, that the more power you make, the more possible problems you create down the road.

Phil

 

[Mad Bomber]

HP

Phil, that could be true BUT it's more fun. BTW I have my comp down on 1X3 or even off. The only time I crank it is when at a dyno or I have a tailgater so close I can't see there face.

 

[Sixpack]

I was with you when you went 5x5 with the tailgater behind you. They almost ran off the road I believe .

 

[Mad Bomber]

HP

Phil, I'm sure that I don't have ANY idea what you are talking about.

 

[mfunderburgh]

Peter, are you still selling the OFE? I bought an OFE last november and droped the transmission out about four months later to find out the ofe had two broken springs and the flywheel that I had resurfaced when installed had hot spots all over it. Peter did replace the clutch with a con o which is like 200 dollars less than what i paid for the ofe. I do remember you or someone on your staff telling me the ofe's weren't a good clutch and you were phasing them out. When i put a clutch in my cousins truck I did it right this time and went with mitchel's clutch. They didn't give me any hassle about not having enough hp for the clutch like SB did. I just find it hard for someone to upgrade a clutch every time they do some more boming, so I decided to get a clutch that my cousin would only have to purchase once. Matt

 

[Deezul1]

The Con O I had in my truck was a great clutch and smoother than stock and when I upgraded to the OFE I found it to be a little rough at engagement but starting at 1000 rpm as suggested by Peter makes it a lot better and as I drive it and try different things it seems to get smoother. This is not a clutch for just anybody to drive and expect it to be drive like a stocker. Its a high performance clutch and works very well for big HP and the down side is very small.

 

[rodmeyer]

con-ofe

ac,I just recently had a con-ofe install. my power level is the same as yours,dd2s and va. seriously if I didnt know I just had a clutch in stall I would of thought it was stock. I still start off in second,does'nt grab,or shake. does'nt slip either. smooth thru all gears any rpms. I still dont think it is the clutch. I had a stock clutch install on my ford f350 and they never resurfaced the fly wheel. I have to start out in 1st know or it well shake. I love my ofe,works great for me. I also had a excellant installer.