83SC - Rubber or Spring Centered Clutch

[Mike Stanko]

Rookie question here...

"Porsche 911 Buyer's Guide" by Randy Leffingwell says that 1980 was the last year of the rubber damper clutch on the SC's and in 1981, a spring centered clutch disk was used.

Then I've read in several other places, including the Buyer's Guide here on Pelican that the rubber damper clutch was used on all years of the SC (78-83).

What's the right answer?

Thanks,

Mike

[barney911rs]

If you are looking to buy, and it sound like you are, you want to stay away from the rubber centered clutches. That said, I would bet that most of the cars in the age range you are talking about have had the clutch replaced, and I would of hoped they used the spring centered clutch.

Even if it came with rubber, you can put a spring centered clutch in it. If you find a car you like, ask questions. If you don't like the answers, move on.

[Mo_Gearhead]

June Excellence magazine (Tech Forum): Track car = Spring center type ...if mainly street driven, use OEM rubber centered . Everyone has different ideas on this. Pick your poison?

[Wil Ferch]

Mike...why didn't you ask me ( inside joke !!) ?

Spring centered was phased-in to late SC production around April 1983, according to Bruce Anderson and his sources of information.

- Wil
BTW..Mo_gearhead....it's not so much of a pick your poison. The early ( SC ) rubber-centered clutches were notorious for failure due to excessive angular rotation allowed in the design. Late 83 SC production introduced the normal spring centered clutch that was also used throughout the later 3.2 production run that used 915 boxes ( thru 86). Later G50 3.2's and the early 964's again reverted to the rubber-centerd clutch for awhile but this was an improved design with metal "stops" that prevented excessive wind-up. These rubber-centered clutches did not have the failure reputation as did the SC type.

Mike..I hope we find the spring centered clutch for your new SC purchase.... but at 31k-33K miles on that jewel of a SC you will buy....don't bet on it. We'll see the maintenance records.

[Mike Stanko]

Thanks fellas. I went for the "crowd" rather than you Wil to give you a break from me!

As Wil said, a purchase is imminent. I'm quite certain it's the original clutch. Perhaps I'll get really lucky and the production date will be 4/83 +

I'll ask the seller to snap a pic of the manufacturing label that I believe contains the mfg date.

Mike