clutch plate ID

Unknown

i have two 10 inch plates,one has 6 large tension springs and is of slightly lighter construction,the other has 8 smaller springs and seems to be heavier.
Anybody able to date/id these? is there any difference between operation or reliability?

Geoff

They are probably made by different vendors. I don't think there is any difference in serviceability (is that a word???) between the two types.

Huddy42

I echo Geoff's thoughts, but, I prefer to use the ones with the larger springs, always looks a lot more robust than the smaller springs.

Clutchguy

Both are O.E.10"type.The clutch plate on the left[8 springs],is the early type. I have found these were used in 34-39 vehicles. You have to inspect these closely for cracks in between the spring plates. It is sometimes hard to see them without cleaning it very thoroughly. They are a quality disc, but usually because they were used early on,you can't find these very often in good usable condition. The later type is also O.E. and was used until '54. Your comment on it being heavier is true. It is very well built and probably cost much more to manufacture too! Before re-corking,make sure that any disc is straight,not bent,loose or broken. Unfortunately most places that advertise rebuilding clutch disc/clutch parts-that aren't Hudson specific,will just ruin the parts they are rebuilding. Another unfortune truth is the only way you find out the parts won't work is after you have installed them! I have a pile of these parts. When it gets warmer here,I think I'll take a picture of the pile I have accumulated. I hope this helps,Thanks CG

Uncle Josh

I notice the earlier one has square corners at the ends of the springs while the later one has radii. The square corner is where a fatique crack will begin. Chattering due to not changing the fluid when you should will aggrivate this. Broken springs will make it worse.

The radii are a common manufacturing trick to prevent this, besides being built heavier.

My old 49 with way over 100K on it completely failed this way once some 50 mi from home. With my wife and two kids by the way. On Christmas week yet. Got towed home at the end of a rope.

The good news is, that I was able to change it in a snowstorm without ever getting under the car.

This is 'Henry' with us in '57 during a trip to the tourist traps in the Adirondacks.

Clutchguy

Josh, how many of those "1000 animals" did you see?. LOl

Great photo's!!

onerare39

Uncle Josh,

That's a really great collection of bumper "stickers". For those of you to young to have been there, they were usually attached by two wires to your bumber while you were visiting the attraction. They had people roaming the parking lots putting them on your car. Don't remember if there was a charge for them or not. I have only had one attached to my car, in the 70s, the Sea Lion Caves on the Oregon coast.

John

Unknown

thanks for the info folks(re the clutch i mean!)