Clutch Assembly ??

[Pierre J.]

I just purchased a basket case ’57. The car came with non original motor and transmission, not sure where the motor/transmission came from. It has a non original flywheel casting #3789733, I found out this flywheel was used in various GM cars in the ‘60s and 70’s. I had this flywheel resurfaced and balanced and is now in good shape. The car also had a Tredex clutch assembly #GM 021. This Tredex clutch assembly is in rough shape and needs to be replaced, it seem quite flimsy and light duty to start with, so I’m looking for something of better quality.

I am having trouble finding a replacement chart that would identify a clutch assembly from a different manufacturer that I could use as a replacement and would fit my current flywheel.

Can someone recommended a clutch assembly or where I can find information that would identify replacement clutches for the Tredex and would fit my current flywheel ?

Thanks…

Pierre #34410

[William C.]

Re: Clutch Assembly ??

What is the diameter of the clutch face surface on your current clutch? If you know that, there are several suppliers LUK and others who could set you up with a complete clutch and pressure plate to match. You will also have to know how many splines on your transmission input shaft if not the original trans.

[Pierre J.]

Re: Clutch Assembly ??

Sorry, I should have provided more info. The disc diameter is 11" and has coarse splines (10). My concern is that whatever pressure plate I order, I just want to make sure the bolt pattern will be compatible with the flywheel that I have. Also, the distance between the face of the pressure plate and the area where the release bearing contacts the fingers of the plate is 2 1/2 inches. I see this distance as being quite important if I want to use the original linkage geometry.

[James F.]

Re: Clutch Assembly ??

Pierre,
I replaced the clutch assembly with a (LuK) clutch assembly sold by CarQuest #WO4-51.This is a 3 finger tpe Borg & Beck type clutch which was the original type in'56. Assembly comes with pressure plate and pilot bearing, maybe throw out bearing as well, I can't remember. I'm very pleased with it's operation.Have one road tour and 2000 miles on it. Hope this helps, Regards, JIm

[John H.]

Re: Clutch Assembly ??

Pierre -

The original flywheel (cast #3729004) was the large 14" 168-tooth, but was only drilled for a 10.5" clutch. Which bellhousing do you have?

[Pierre J.]

Re: Clutch Assembly ??

John,
I do have the large 14" flywheel but it is not the original, it is casting number 3789733 and is drilled for an 11" clutch. The bellhousing is 3733365 - I beleive this to be the original.

Pierre

[John H.]

Re: Clutch Assembly ??

Pierre -

I was just curious - didn't know if the 365 bellhousing would accept an 11" pressure plate in place of the original 10.5", but if your car already had an 11" clutch, I guess it will.