The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Old Clutch

Does clutch material deteriorate over time? The one that was in my truck is at least 25 years old. The disk and pressure plate look good and there is a good amount of material on the disk. I have not driven the truck yet and it is far from drivable at this point so I have no idea how it performs.

Jackie

It's probably a good idea to go ahead and change it since you have it apart. The clutch material like brake lining can get hard, oil soaked, and brittle which will prevent it from working as well as it should. Change or rebuild the pressure plate and replace the release bearing as well.

Fred

I always ask myself the same questions when I put a transmission on. I have good looking ancient clutch parts and I hate to waste anything, but with the difficulty of taking it back apart to replace the questionable old parts, I always go with new parts. I then refuse to throw away the old questionable parts. There is clearly something seriously wrong with me in that regard.
Carl

Yea Carl I hear you.
When I started restoring farm tractors (which are a lot harder to replace clutch parts in because you have to split the tractor), I would always replace the whole package every time no matter what the originals looked like.
Then I'd keep all the"good pieces" just in case. Problem is I never did the same tractor twice. One day when I was getting ready to start a new project I threw the whole pile in the pickup and scrapped them. Worried about it all the way home but that was that.

Jim, I would have twice as much working space if I could bring myself to start chucking stuff into the trash. I am hopeless. I haven't been on the hoarder TV show yet...
Carl

Ok I think I understand.
I need to go ahead and replace clutch, pressure plate, and throw out bearing. Then stash the "Good" old parts in a safe place along with future "Good"old parts I had to replace. Continue piling these "Good"old parts up until there is enough to haul to the scrap yard. Then feel nervous for having scraped my "Good"old back up parts. Does this sound right?
I'm going to be ordering a new clutch set soon!

Thanks for the insight

Jackie

Jackie, you got it! One caution, when all your friends start bringing you "good ol parts" and other misc "good ol stuff" and you get all excited and stash it away too, you might have an issue! LOL.

Just try your best not to take in a wife...