SouthBend Con-OFE

[GRudy]

I just got done installing my SouthBend Con-ofe clutch. Great product! The pedal preasure feels even softer that stock but man does it hold!

While I was at it I changed the fluid in the trany and transfer case. The truck only has 51,000 miles on it but the transfer case oil looked like brown mud.

Peter, the flywheel will be on its way to you on monday

 

[Whitmore]

George , this is great to hear, I too have a con ofe south bend from Piers sitting in my shop ready to go in, right now the quandry is that I want to take the flywheel to a machine shop so I can use the kevlar bushing instead of the needle bearing and I am trying to line up the time frames so it will all come together and of course the being without a truck and the machinest is 30 miles away always helps too. We will figger out a way somehow... ... ... ... ... . Kevin:{ :{

 

[dramer]

South Bend

The South Bend clutch products have been the best for our business being able to offer products that we can be proud of standing behind. Thanks to South Bend for being able to give us the ability to offer the large trucks the same quality. Our business depends on the best quality this gives us the ability to give the best in service.





Don/Clint

Automotive Transmission Specialist Inc.

Home Of The Triplelok

 

[Deezul1]

Whitmore



Call the guys at southBend about using the Kevlar bearing. When I talked to them about it I was told that its more of a problem solver for damaged shafts and for 1st gen trucks and 2nd gen trucks really dont need it that much.

 

[GRudy]

That is the way I understood it also. I just left the needle bearing in place since my imput shaft looked in excellent condition.

 

[fj40charles]

George,



Why did you change out the flywheel? Just curious. Also, what is the HP rating for this clutch?



Do I need the same thing for my 2000 6 speed?



Thanks,

Charles

 

[Whitmore]

Diezel1, I will check up on that, I was under the impression that the kevlar bushing was good for alot of miles and the needle bearing was only good for about 100k thanks for the tip



George there are 2 southbends avail to you a con ofe and a con fe, I believe the confe is good for mor power than the con ofe but check with the pros at www.southbendclutch.com they can answer all you q's



I do know that Peter at southbend and Piers at Piers diesel reasearch are both committed to us at the TDR and back their products with integrity , this to me is worth everything ... ... ... ... . Kevin

 

[M Barnett]

I also installed a Con-O in my truck the last two days and have to agree there is no comparason with the stock clutch. Just looking at the Con-O and the stock clutch you can see a lot of difference. I used the needle bearing as suggested by Andy at South Bend. No chatter. Now I can put those delivery valves in.

M Barnett

 

[EricBu12]

I just got done breaking in my OFE for 300 miles, I agree this is a better than new machine now!! It wants to go. I have a blue chip box and up on 50% it holds good. I'd say I am making 350 HP or so but that might be flywheel... ??

Good clutch. The OFE is better for towing because you can slip it for spotting trailers ans such or off-roading.

The FE is for GOGOGO!!!

Anyway, great product peter!!

 

[pnwradar]

Probably want to visit www.southbendclutch.com instead of the link shown above.



-jon-

 

[Deezul1]

I think I am going to use a bronze oilite bushing in mine. All the years I have messed with transmissions I have never seen one give trouble. The stealer wants $20 for it and no other parts houses in town have one so I called Graingers and can get a 3 pack for $8, its to long but easy to shorten. Standard Transmission said thats better than the bearing and Southbend likes the bearing so you pay your money and take your chance. Maybe a specific post is in order here.

 

[GRudy]

Originally posted by fj40charles

George,



Why did you change out the flywheel? Just curious. Also, what is the HP rating for this clutch?



Do I need the same thing for my 2000 6 speed?



Thanks,

Charles

Had to change the flywheel because the stock clutch is 12. 25" diameter and the OFE is 13".



I don't know that Peter has a HP rating on this clutch yet he would be a better source for your questions anyway. I just explained to him what my Bombs are and what I use the truck for and went by his recomendation as to which clutch to use. I have been monitoring clutch discussions here for the past year and have come to believe that SouthBend is a top knotch company and that Peter is one class act and can be trusted to not steer you wrong.

 

[ramman]

The bronze bushing didn't hold up for me,good luck to you,the con-o and kevlar bushing is working fine for me at 400/1086 .

 

[Don M]

I had my flywheel machined out for the Kevlar bushing and it works perfect. As long as the machine shop does it right (the boring) it is a perfect fit. Tough little guy too.



I use the Con O clutch and it holds alot of power.

Im over 400 now.



Don~

 

[South Bend Clutch]

Maybe I can clear a little up on my thoughts on the pilot situation.



The 1st gen. used the Brass bushing

The second gen. 12 valve went to the needle roller but it was short

The second gen. 24 valve used the needle roller but it was a little longer

I believe when they went to the ETH HO 6sp they went a little longer yet (not for sure I will check on Monday)



Each one has had problems and has also worked great. Go figure. But, The most prevalent of any of them to show problems was the 12-valve needle roller.

The problem that we saw with any of them was the damage that would accure to the input shaft if there was a problem. The reason that we came up with the Kevlar pilot is because it is a nonabrasive material and can be run on a scored input shaft as well as repair the flywheel if worn past the outside diameter on the Brg. or bushing.



I know there are other fixes out there but I would be surprised if it would be one that I have not already tried. The kevlar through our testing seemed to have the best results.



Now whether to use it or not? It is a REPAIR bushing and should be used as such. Not all trucks show a problem, some never have a problem so why change. My biggest concern is that if you decide to make the change make sure the machine shop takes as much time in set up as they do in boring the whole. I have seen some shabby work from some places that you would not expect.



Peter

 

[Whitmore]

Peter, thanks for the reply and helping clear up this issue, I will be tackling my con ofe on monday morning and have decided that I will stay with the stock set up for the bearing and will keep the kevlar bushing for the future just in case, this will help me alot since I wont need to get the flywheel to my machinest so I should have everything I need here at the house. Thanks again Peter ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ..... Kevin

 

[Deezul1]

Peter

With a choice of bronze bushing or stock needle bearing on a 97 what is your recomendation? Con O going in this week.

Thanks

John

 

[South Bend Clutch]

John,



If there was not a pilot brg. problem then I would recommend the needle brg. that I provided in the kit with the kevlar bushing. I know that there are probably other opinions on this matter but this is what I would do.



Peter

 

[CUMINNTSTRKN]

Originally posted by Whitmore

this will help me alot since I wont need to get the flywheel to my machinest so I should have everything I need here at the house. Thanks again Peter ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ..... Kevin

you still need to have your flywheel surfaced.



guys i no longer have a southbend in my truck. i switched to a auto so i could drag race and sled pull with out losing boost while shifting.



but peter is one of the nicest guys in the business. i think i had the 3rd con-fe that they sold in my eth and it held everything i could through at it. once while towing a load of cows with a gcvw of 25k i hit the n2o to see if i could make it slip, no luck. it was holding over 600hp. my truck made 717hp with that clutch in it and it never seemed to mind.



you guys can't go wrong with a southbend. the nice thing is peter is a honest guy. he always trys to sell what you need. this is not always the most expensive clutch. he told a guy in tulare why buy a clutch that can hold 400+hp if you only have 325hp.



jim

 

[Whitmore]

Got er done

clutch installed, wasnt to bad, took my time and thought it out, the biggest help was I purchased a trans adapter from Northern Hydrolics to fit on my big floor jack, wow this made it easy , I left the trans and transfer case in one and the adapter is adjustable for your tilt , I highly reccomend one if you are going to do it yourself. I will give my clutch a 300 mile break in and then waho... ... ... ..... Kevin