Testing the clutch with engine and ZF out of the car

Very smart idea!

But one question - You will be able to listen / test for "gross" issues, but in my experience, even with the clutch depressed, just the minor drag on the disk (from both the flywheel and the pressure plate) will spin the internals of the ZF, which will make the drive flanges turn.

You may want to see if you can figure out how to get some "drag" on the ZF hubs, so you can tell if you have "full disengagement" with the clutch depressed.

But you need to be smart about that...  for safety.

Rocky

Chuck,

I don't think that Steve is planning to have the engine running for this clutch test.

John

John, you are correct. It might fall off the stack of 2 x 4 blocks if I ran it the way it is.  Also, the EFI harness and fuel lines don’t quite reach.

Oops!  Makes sense...  but I want to see that engine run!

It's an interesting concept, and I currently have a complete driveline sitting like that in my shop. It certainly is easier then climbing in and out of the rear.

I've had my fill of aluminum flywheels and won't go back to them at all.

I have so much "Aeroquip" that I'd just plumb that all with it. At this point it is sort of a multi-task solution item anyway and it would just go back to being coiled on the wall waiting for the next "remote application".

I'm not sure why others are having difficulty bleeding the clutch line? It is fairly simple to do. I think that there is just likely confusion over exactly which slave cylinder they are using. I always look at how early a build the car was since there apparently is just a changeover to the long thrown cylinder at some point?

In any event, best of luck in your build. Sometimes we all need a little? "If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all!"

I had a successful test of the clutch today.  I had some concern because the clutch master and slave have been sitting dry for 5 years or so.  After some coaxing, the system was free of air and the clutch worked as expected.  It is no guarantee that it will work properly once I start driving but I have the same Centerforce setup in my other Pantera and this one feels similar.  The other Pantera has a McCleod hydraulic throwout bearing and I like the feel of it a lot more than the factory setup.  The McCleod hydraulic throwout bearing is self adjusting and you immediately start disengaging the clutch as soon as you press the pedal.  There is no free pedal travel.  The down side is that you have to pull the ZF to make any change to it.