In the clutches.....

[wwwcad]

Trivia test: I came across a clutch disk that looks to be German (it has little "M" in a box stapped on the large rivets) but not necessarily Porsche. It has 3 spring clips on the throwout bearing side that hold a round metal piece in the middle of the disk where the throwout bearing would hit. So, when depressed, the bearing looks like it actually rests on this extra metal piece, not on the little splines, or fingers, in the middle of the plate. I can find nothing like it in my Porsche parts manuals.

I suspect this is a VW unit. Anyone know for sure? The overall diameter of the plate is less than my 200mm Porsche unit. A free one year subscription to this BB for the first person with the correct answer! Sorry, I'd offer cash but all of my disposable income is being sunk in my 912!!!!

Thanks!
Bill

PS: I'd attach a picture but I have to wait till Christmas to get my digital camera!

[Griznant]

Sounds like a 180mm VW plate.

Especially since you mentioned the "ring", which all the early plates have.


Later,

G

[WFBowen]

Bill:
Great that someone finally found it! That's the clutch assembly from my 57 VW I had during my college days. What you're looking at is, infact, the throwout bearing which friction-welded itself to the PPlate, as this assembly functioned as an early "hill-holder" device on hilltop stoplights in San Francisco. That "m" you refer to is actually a "W" for "William" I stamped on, knowing I'd someday have to positively identify this piece in hopes of claiming a prize.
Thanks,
Bill.
p.s. Does my prize include full PP viewing privileges or just the 912 thread?

[COLDBASS]

Bill,

I believe Griznant is correct, however, one cannot dismiss the possibility of Bill's unique custom fabrication.


Bob

[wwwcad]

Griz,
Thanks for the almost instant feedback and for confirming my impressions of this clutch. Feel free to enjoy this BB for the next year, no charge!! Hope I can help you out someday, too.

Bill,
Glad I was able to find your long lost plate. I thought it looked a little like the one from my 1959 bug I had when I was in high school! If you'd like to reclaim your clutch, I can give you the current lucky owner's address. I'm sure he'd give it up for $25 or so! (he thought it was for a Porsche 912 himself) I'm sorry, but Griz beat you to the BB prize first, but you can have first dibs on the plate! Thanks for the info on the clip though, very interesting history on this one.

Coldbass,
It didn't occur to me that was the throwout bearing! If it is, I'm innocent. I was just looking at it, never drove it ever, honest!

Regards,
Bill