Competition SBC Triple Disc Clutch Picture

[JoshPeters]

Peter... isn't there a way you can build that clutch without having to use the longer input shaft and adapter plate?

I'm thinking that given the size of the materials, and the thickness... due to the application... . they aren't gonna be able to make them smaller without loosing some of the clutches holding power.



Josh

 

[JasonCzerak]

I'm thinking that given the size of the materials, and the thickness... due to the application... . they aren't gonna be able to make them smaller without loosing some of the clutches holding power.



Josh

If anything, lose . 100 to . 200 on the 2 plates at most. but that's about it.

 

[Will Manchester]

Peter... isn't there a way you can build that clutch without having to use the longer input shaft and adapter plate?

This probably will be almost impossible without compromising the durability of the clutches and flywheel and center plates.



In a stock configuration, the clutch surface of the flywheel is totally flat out to the outermost diameter where the pressure plate bolts to. The clutch is sandwiched in-between.



To make room for a 2 disk design so that input shaft & bellhousing mods do not need to be made, room must be found between the pressure plate and the crank - material from the flywheel must be removed. Lets assume that the clutch thickness (measured across the 2 friction materials) is . 200". How thick does the center plate need to be to avoid warping? 0. 400"? So, now you have removed 0. 600" from the flywheel. Assuming the same clutch thickness and center plate thickness for a triple clutch design, now you need 2*(0. 200+0. 400) = 1. 200"! How much material is left behind the flywheel now? I'm guessing we went into negative material.



These clutches do not use a spring damper in order to save space. However, they still have a spline in the center that drives the input shaft. How tall are the splines? You would never want the splines of the 3 clutches to touch one another! This is your biggest limiting factor on how thin you can design the clutch - this dictates your minimum center plate thickness.



Bottom line, I'm guess in SB did their homework - if you go with a triple disk clutch, your going to have to use a bellhousing spacer and a longer input shaft.

 

[Bpostel]

I believe the 3 disc clutch from Kenny's does not require the longer shaft and adapter plate. It may not be refined as SBC's, but there are some big name pullers using that clutch from Kenny's.

 

[jwilliams3]

Bpostel,

Which big name pullers?

 

[JDailey]

What I want to know is what big power trucks are gonna run THIS clutch? I betting none... .

 

[Sled Puller]

I'll tell you who, anyone who is trying to light a big single, or twins, that wants CONTROL over engagement.





If you were beyond a street dual disc last year, your only choice was to go with a weighted clutch by someone like Crower. The downside, was the flyweights did the engaging for you. Fine if you had tons of power/rpm. A gamble if you didn't.



SBC just filled another gap in the Diesel clutch market.

 

[Bpostel]

Someone said Brad Ingram was running the triple disc from Kenny's, not 100% sure though.