The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop CLUTCH SIZE ISSUE

hey guys,

i have a huge dilemma on my hands. All i have to do is put a new clutch in my 1958 235 and its DONE, but I can't seem to find a clutch that fits in my bellhousing like the original one i pulled out did. its 11" in diameter, i've got 3 DIFFERENT CLUTCHES AND THEY ALL DON'T FIT PROPERLY! The bolt patterns all match up perfectly, but the size of the pressure plate housing is larger in diameter than the old one, by about 3/4in. This is driving me nuts, i'm guessing i either don't have the original bellhousing, original flywheel, or the new clutches are just made larger. any input?

The bolt pattern of your pressure plate matches the flywheel?

The clutch disc does not fit under the presure plate?

Did you buy a complete clutch assembly, or just the clutch disc?

ya the bolt patterns match, but the pressure plate is too large, it rubs up against the bellhousing. I bought three seperate whole kits, i.e. pressure plate in pressure plate housing, with clutch disc, throwout bearing, etc.

I you do have the old core in hand, better go fetch it till you figure this out.

You say "in my 1958 235 ", but is this a 58 truck you are working on?
I do not think you will get an 11" clutch to fit in most passenger car 6 cylinder bellhousing.

Try calling Clutch Exchange at 770-943-2666, these guys helped me out when I couldn't find parts for my '56....Maybe they can guide you in the right direction..They sure helped me..They're located in Pennsylvania and ship pretty fast..Good Luck..Terry

gbuck,

Are you referring to a passenger car clutch housing? Sorry, I missed guessing that possibility.

Are you putting the engine in a 1958 car or truck?

What is the casting number on your flywheel? Post here and we can find a clutch.

was the original a diaphram style pressure plate and the later one a borg & beck spring style? Usually an 11" diaphram (flat spring-not a bent finger spring) will fit within most any chevy housing.

the casting number is 3705410, its possible the "1" is a 7 it was really hard to read, but im 90% positive it's a "1". the fingers are flat-style, i don't know if that's from wear or how they are originally. It's just the outer housing of the pressure plate doesn't clear the inside of the bell-housing. its freaking frustrating. when you measure the difference between a new pressure plate housing/diaphram its 3/4in. larger than the one i pulled out.

The master parts book call out a 1955 flywheel.

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/1929_57chevyparts/57cmpc0147.htm

Try going to your FLAPS and asking for a 11" clutch for a 261.

Also, can you post a link show a photo of your bellhousing? Like others have said, you may have one for a car.

gbuck,

Are you working with a car bellhousing or a truck bellhousing?

That's an interesting casting # 3705410.

Looking at the 57 MPC listed above, that
casting is listed atleast 4 times,
with 4 different part #'s.

Different size, 9 1/2, 10, 11.

Beginning with 54 Pass., Comm to 57 Pass., Comm.

hey guys, no need to worry any more I found a clutch that fits. Out local "old time" shop in Watsonville, Townsends, helped me out. This guys Bill who knows these old motors like the back of his hand got me one that fits. I don't remember what he said exactly it was for but it works. thanks for all the input.

Why don't you share the part number for the parts you got, it may help someone else down the line in the same spot you were.

It's a CNT clutch kit, part number: 200.62042, costs about $160. includes pilot bushing, throwout bearing, clutch disk, pressure plate, alignment tool.

What year and engine does that assembly work in?

if you read my original post, 1958 235.

If you click the link gbuck I think Tim is trying to show that part# is for a different year....

If you looked at my link, you might have seen your kit being sold for a 1966 250 engine.

The same vendor lists a different kit for a 1958 235.

Does Centric list your kit for a 1958 235?

if thats what it searches as, that must be what its for. It doesn't say on the box, I don't remember the parts shop telling me either. He just said that it should work.