Need Advice - Which Clutch Disk to Buy

[Tidybuoy]

I want to change my clutch disk while I have the engine out (installing PMO/Motec )

When I look at the choices on Pelican:
Sachs "Sport" with organic lining, 6 spring center - $618.75
Sachs 225MM Clutch Disk, 4 spring center - 161.75
Power Friction Clutch, 6 spring center, Dynamex material - 149.00

I drive my car fairly aggressive but mostly street and occasional DE track. I am amazed at the price variance for the "sport" disk. At that price, I would rather drop the engine and change more often.

Lastly, I have an aluminum sport pressure plate which I plan on re-using. My engine is a 2.7s and a narrow body '74.

Any advice would be great.

[HawgRyder]

Choosing a disc is conditional on what the surfaces of the flywheel and pressure plate will take.
If you use a hard disc...the clamping surfaces will take more of a beating.
Also...some combinations are "grabby"...not the best choice for stop and go driving.
Unless the previous disc was slipping or grabbing too much...I would go with a replacement of the same variety...except for the rubber cushioned type.
Also...4 springs or 6 really depends on the spring pressure they exert...4 strong ones may be harder (clutch more grabby) than 6 soft ones.
Hope this helps.
Bob

[VFR750]

I put the power friction clutch in this past winter. I reused the flywheel as is and the lightweight Sachs power pressure plate. I replaced the throw out bearing too.

After a month, I can say it is working great. No issues. No slippage or chattering. My flywheel looked excellent. As well as the pressure plate. So I had that going for me. The clutch was getting thin, but the wear was very even. So it would seem I lucked out.

Track day next week my change my tune. Unlikely though. I am easy on clutches. ( transmissions not so much...)

Many will not recommend reusing the flywheel without resurfacing. And I don't disagree. Just mine looked really nice and I took the chance.

[Tidybuoy]

Thanks,

I will be having the flywheel resurfaced. I don't think it will be too bad as the current clutch is not worn out. I just want to replace the disk since I will have the engine out and it's been about 10 years since the last clutch.

[Dodge Man]

I recall a minimum flywheel thickness when I had my flywheel surfaced. It takes a deep jaw micrometer to get to the actual clutch surface and take the measurement. Many machine shops do not have the deep jaw micrometer sets to save tool $$$. Some people only replace flywheels instead of resurface but I grew up resurfacing flywheels. Ollies is not too far away from you. http://www.olliesmachine.com/

[CCM911]

I agree with your way of thinking. I too would go for either of the two cheaper options, and replace more frequently. But, if I was a betting man, I would bet that they all would wear at the same rate, based on what Hawgrider has stated above. I went with the Sachs($161) plate when I changed mine, and it is fine.

[RedCoupe]

Does anyone know someone who has the equipment to measure the spring tension of a pressure plate to see if it is still usable? Over the years I've had both good and bad luck resurfacing and reusing diaphram spring pressure plates, and I have assumed that it all depends on how much the diaphram has relaxed over its first "life", maybe due to how much heat cycling it had to endure. Because of the couple of bad experiences (started slipping after a short number of miles), I started always replacing the pressure plate when I r & r a clutch, but DANG they're getting expensive for the name brand ones! It would be nice to have someone who could could measure the clutch and say "this one is reusable, this one is toast, etc."