Clutch install question - X mark

[Asshat]

I don’t remember an X mark on my clutch or flywheel. Do you guys know how critical this is? I’m thinking this could be the noise I am hearing on acceleration.

[Steeveedee]

OK, I will confess that I never read the manual when replacing a clutch, so I never knew about the "X". I've replaced dozens of clutches in vehicles built from the '50s through the '80s and never had a problem, except for once on my Camaro I put the disc in backwards. That was fun, doing the job all over again. Maybe someone will have an answer, though. Since the clutch is engaged when you are accelerating, I doubt that that is the cause of the noise.

[Asshat]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

OK, I will confess that I never read the manual when replacing a clutch, so I never knew about the "X". I've replaced dozens of clutches in vehicles built from the '50s through the '80s and never had a problem, except for once on my Camaro I put the disc in backwards. That was fun, doing the job all over again. Maybe someone will have an answer, though. Since the clutch is engaged when you are accelerating, I doubt that that is the cause of the noise.

I don’t believe you can install the flywheel backwards.

I’m wondering if it makes a difference installing it with the dowel holes not aligned. From what I recall, there were three dowel holes on the flywheel that matched up on the crankshaft.

[Steeveedee]

No, I installed the clutch disc backwards. It'll go together, but the clutch won't work. I've never installed a flywheel backwards.

[Asshat]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

No, I installed the clutch disc backwards. It'll go together, but the clutch won't work. I've never installed a flywheel backwards.

The clutch disc that was in the truck could not be installed backwards - the springs protruded from one side more than the other. There's no way it could be bolted up like that.

[Desert dog]

I hate to say it, but it may be time to pull the tranny and get a good look around in there. I believe you mentioned the old pilot bushing was reused. That, along with a worn front bearing in the tranny could be your problem.

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by Asshat

The clutch disc that was in the truck could not be installed backwards - the springs protruded from one side more than the other. There's no way it could be bolted up like that.

You're talking about the pressure plate, here.

[Asshat]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

You're talking about the pressure plate, here.

I was referring to the clutch disc. The springs protrude farther on one side than the other.

[Asshat]

Another question...

The auto parts online show 11 and 12” clutches.
Mine is 11”.
Will a 12” clutch work in mine? Or, will the mounting bolts for the pressure plate be a larger diameter?

[geezer#99]

BTW you can, I can and Steve can install the disc backwards. And a hundred more people have done it.
As the pressure plate is tightened the contact disc just pushes inward and the fingers flatten out.

You don’t need a 12 inch.
You do need a 168 tooth flywheel for a 12 inch though.

[Asshat]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

BTW you can, I can and Steve can install the disc backwards. And a hundred more people have done it.
As the pressure plate is tightened the contact disc just pushes inward and the fingers flatten out.

You don’t need a 12 inch.
You do need a 168 tooth flywheel for a 12 inch though.

Maybe with other clutch discs, but not the one I have. If you try and put it in backwards, it will not sit on the flywheel. The center of the flywheel is not deep enough to put the clutch disc in with the big part of the springs. The flat part of the disc would not make contact with the flywheel surface.

Not trying to argue... I think I get what you guys are saying.

Either way, I am picking up a new clutch set tomorrow. Hopefully it will work better.

Also, what are the dowel pins for on the pressure plate? There’s no holes in the flywheel for these.

[Asshat]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

You don’t need a 12 inch.
You do need a 168 tooth flywheel for a 12 inch though.

Is a 168-tooth flywheel larger?

Are the holes a larger diameter?

Why do they make 11 AND 12 inch clutches?

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by Asshat

Is a 168-tooth flywheel larger?

Are the holes a larger diameter?

Why do they make 11 AND 12 inch clutches?

They put that little 6 in front of much larger trucks; 12" is heavy duty. My Camaro, I could put the disc in either way, and I made a wrong guess the first time I did it. I used to race it, and usually only got 15k to 20k miles out of a clutch.

[Desert dog]

Another issue with this type of setup is the bellhousing to flywheel alignment.
There is some info at this site.
https://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/clutches-etc/