centreforce clutch release bearing

There are several grades of Centerforce diaphragm clutches. Some are extremely stiff- I do NOT recommend their heavy-duty clutch for street use in any Pantera unless you're racing at LeMans, and I don't have a current parts book handy. The redrilling mentioned is due to Centerforce often supplying longer bolts one thread size larger than stock, to be used with small stand-offs that they also supply with their clutches. Using stock bolts on such a clutch cover means the holes in the new clutch cover may be oversized, so substituting stock bolts will quickly work loose. They do use the same bolt pattern as stock; other brands do not.

Drilling a stock grey iron flywheel, then rethreading to a new size can very easily be done wrong resulting in a destructive explosion, whether you're changing patterns or enlarging an existing one. Maybe with some street pressure plates, Centerforce has stopped supplying the oversized bolts. Did yours come with mounting hardware & instructions? They do (or at one time, did) have a good Tech Support telephone line.

No mounting hardware supplied with this clutch. I used the stock bolts to mount it but have not yet fitted it into the car, engine etc still on the bench.

I just entered Centreforce into the Summit search page and then selected Detomaso Pantera so no idea if its a heavy duty clutch, I certainly hope not. Bit expensive to ship it back from the UK.

cheers

quote:

I ordered a centreforce clutch for a Detomaso Pantera from Summit, part no DF021057S, I also have the stock flywheel.

Horace,

Something is not matching up here.

The summit website listing indicates this clutch/pressure plate unit ...requires... the centerforce flywheel.

It also shows as being a 10 1/2" clutch disc.

Our cars are 40 years old. New owners more often than not do not receive full mechanical histories of the changes made by previous owners.

But in theory your ...stock... flywheel is drilled for an 11" disc, not 10 1/2", and your center force PP should not be bolting up.

Have you pulled your flywheel? Any markings found on it?

I'd advise a little more research before dropping things into the chassis.

Larry

I checked Centerforce website in case Summit was outdated and they still say a Centerforfce flywheel required. Their listing for that part number also says the package includes bolts and alignment tool.

I'd recommend to give them a call direct and get first hand information.

Julian

Thanks guys

My flywheel is stock, cast no C5AE-E 4M9. The holes for the original 11" clutch 5/16 bolts are there but its definitely been drilled and tapped for a 10.5" clutch so guess I have got very lucky on this one without knowing it. However the new holes are for 3/8 bolts????

Been looking at the centreforce website as suggested but can't see anything special about their steel flywheels or why they would say its required, unless of course its for the 10.5" hole pattern.
In fact they state they are made to match OEM weights etc so can't really justify splashing out over $650 right now. My stock flywheel is in very good condition

Going back to my initial question: Can I use my original release bearing and carrier with this clutch. Again nothing mentioned on the centreforce website about this. Would like to hear from Pantera owners using a centreforce clutch as to what they use or recommend.

Cheers

It will work with the stock flywheel or aftermarket but you will PROBABLY need to redrill 1/2 of the mounting bolts or more correctly add 1/2 of them.

That is pretty easy to do on a workbench. Even easier if you have a drill press. For $119 you can get a Harbor Freight press that will work fine for you for this.

The centerline of the outer bolts is the same since the pressure plate is the same regardless of a 10-1/2" or 11" disc.



The Ford flywheel needs to be changed to 3/8" bolts from 5/16".

What Centerforce means is that for a simple direct bolt in you need to add these holes and their flywheel has them already done.

There are better deals in aftermarket flywheels than theirs.



The only pressure plate that will cause an immediate issue is using a three fingered unit intended for a Mustang or other vehicle that still has the counter weights on the outside of the cover. Those will hit the inside of the bell and need to be cut off.

There is nothing special or mysterious about the throwout bearing either but a constant contact system will last much longer with a ceramic unit.

It is the fingers on the clutch that need it to reduce excessive wear.

Unfortunately the CF fingers are not as hardened as they should be and CAN wear excessively for no reason what so ever.



CF has an "off shore" contractor build the clutches for them and in some cases looks like they painted the steel fingers black rather than use the right heat treated steel.

I know nothing about clutches and get dizzy as I try to follow these discussions in my effort to learn.

If you don't mind my input, I would think setting up the clutch cylinder so that it can be adjusted and verify it will fully engage/disengage would be worth the effort BEFORE the engine transaxle goes into the car.

Clutch info from Centerforce

Maybe call them?

Scott Bell reports in another thread that he was using the stock throwout bearing.

I have a McLeod bearing, but the part number escapes me at this time.

quote:

Originally posted by JFB #05177:
I know nothing about clutches and get dizzy as I try to follow these discussions in my effort to learn.

If you don't mind my input, I would think setting up the clutch cylinder so that it can be adjusted and verify it will fully engage/disengage would be worth the effort BEFORE the engine transaxle goes into the car.

You can't do it that way. When the transaxle is out of the car, the the clutch is attached to the engine. The throwout bearing is on the output shaft of the transaxle.

They have to be connected to adjust the throwout bearing clearances to the fingers on the clutch.

Have you considered having your old clutch rebuilt?

Then NO need to spend your quid "Across the Pond"!

http://www.clutch-specialists.co.uk/

Nothing wrong with my old clutch so doesn't need repair, in fact its going in a friends Pantera whose clutch is shot.

I have had a centreforce before in my last Pantera and liked the ease and lightness of the pedal so going that route again.

Cheers

I use the Centerforce clutch and a stock style (thickness) throw out bearing. Remember there is some amount of play that can be adjusted via the slave as long as you don't loose too much of your throw. Ideally you should be able to insert a 40 thousands feeler between the friction disc and diaphragm (access through the bell housing sigh hole) when the clutch is fully depressed.

Julian

I'm going to chime in here and say that, since it's a ton of work to replace a throw out bearing if it wears out, why not simply replace it when everything is all apart? It may look fine and spin smoothly, but why take the chance, especially if has some miles on it? Replace it when it's easy to do. They're not that expensive when you consider how much effort is required to tear everything apart if it needs replacing.

Mike Mileski
Tucson, AZ