A Replacement Dry Clutch ?

harry54

Has anyone done this ? Is it really a bolt on ?

http://groups.msn.com/HudsonEssexTerraplaneBulletinBoard/newstepdownclutchavailable.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=1229

[Deleted User]

what is all this from ? diaphram type presure plate from a what ? and how bout the disc ? who has done this to a 46 ? or a 51 hornet ?

[Deleted User]

There is a little bit of a problem with the Uncommon clutch outfit. It requires a backing plate that is much thicker than the original. Steve recycled an existing flywheel design to the Hudson. The extra thickness needed for a flywheel to dissipate the heat was added to the flywheel thickness away from the crank flange, this is what necessitates the thicker backing plate.



The reason the flywheel thickness had to be added in the direction it was: the flywheel bolts/nuts are flush with the original flywheel. Finding a clutch disc to clear the flywheel nuts or bolts in a flush arrangement - is tough or is as pricey as the Hudson outfit. You run into all kinds of problems with disc vs. pressure plate compatibility when dealing with a disc raised in the center enough to clear crank flange bolts.



This thicker backing plate creates two problems. Bellhousing mount attachment to the crossmember and clutch linkage alignment. Its not a bolt in situation with no adaptation necessary. You will have to work on the crossmember and compensate for clutch linkage misalignment at the point where the bellcranks interface.



Mark

harry54

THNKS MARK, I think I'll stay away.......

MikeWA

How about this one? Says it comes with flywheel. Wonder if you could convert to 5 speed manual with OD? May have to look into that, if I can't get my %*@# overdrive to work. . .



http://www.wilcap.com/hudson.html

[Deleted User]

Mike (WA) wrote:

How about this one? Says it comes with flywheel. Wonder if you could convert to 5 speed manual with OD? May have to look into that, if I can't get my %*@# overdrive to work. . .



http://www.wilcap.com/hudson.html

That Wilcap outfit looks really nice.



I'm looking at it really closely.



Definately not a "bolt-in" as far as the chassis goes. It is a "bolt-ON" as far as the engine goes, flywheel and all. Impressive.



Mark

[Deleted User]

I do need to add a piece of information here, regarding the Uncommon Dry Clutch.



The information I posted before was regarding the stepdown crank flange and its associated dimensions. There is a possibility with this dry clutch retrofit and it be as close to a "bolt in" as it gets.



The '55-'56 crank is 1/2" shorter than the earlier crank, and the difference is at the flywheel flange. This means that you could use the Uncommon Dry Clutch with a '55-'56 engine and/or crankshaft in a stepdown, and the thickness difference would put your flywheel surface at approximately the same place as an earlier crankshaft with the original manual backing plate. This change would put your bellhousing mount and clutch bellcrank at the same place as the original stepdown configuration.



You possibly would have to shim your starter for the proper engagement and do some shimming of the throwout bearing for proper clutch disengagement. But those things wouldn't be nearly as difficult to deal with as the crossmember nor clutch linkage misalignment.



So, there is a possibility there - but it takes the right mix of parts.



In any case, its not a "no brainer" drop in kinda thing. You would have to pay attention to things and make some changes according to your own application.



Mark

mars55

Mike (WA) wrote:

How about this one? Says it comes with flywheel. Wonder if you could convert to 5 speed manual with OD? May have to look into that, if I can't get my %*@# overdrive to work. . .



http://www.wilcap.com/hudson.html

Why not post your overdrive problem on this forum? The experts on this forum help you get it fixed.

MikeWA

Thanks- I haven't really gotten into it enough to post intelligent questions- The car is new to me, and when I got under it to check the center bearing support, it became obvious that the OD wasn't hooked up right- I also found the relay to be missing, much wiring disconnected, etc. I'll probably be able to figure it out, once I get it in the shop this winter and "up on blocks". But first, gotta finish the tractor and get it out of the shop to make room, but need to finish the horse fence first, etc. etc. Too many things getting in the way of my hobby. . .