Author Topic: Clutch issue...or upgrade? (Read 2926 times)

JunkcollectorJ · « **on:** May 22, 2008, 05:48:43 am »

I have a 1.6TD in my '82 Rabbit. The clutch was spent because of a leaky rear main and trans input shaft seal. I pulled the trans out and replaced all seals. I put a new rear main in. Bolted my pressure plate on and went to align the clutch and flywheel...it's a no go. Apparently the clutch I bought is the wrong one because the flywheel will not fit over the clutch disc/pressure plate. I think that the tool at the parts store gave me a clutch kit for a gas engine, maybe a 1.8 or something. I know that my stock clutch should be a 190mm. My guess is that the one I have is a 200 or 210mm?? I don't know much about gas stuff.

Here is my question. Can I use this larger clutch/pressure plate on the diesel and just use a gas flywheel that will match? ...seems like it could be a nice little upgrade, maybe a little more holding power or at least more clutch surface area. The transmission I'm using is an FN. Any thoughts??

zukgod1 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 22, 2008, 07:05:29 am »

Ya, you can used the gasser 8v pressure plate and flywheel (210mm) with the 200mm disk.

Works great..

Sounds like if you have the 190mm clutch he may have gave you the 200 or 210 mm disk already.

Possum79 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 22, 2008, 10:30:30 am »

Everyone else says you have to cut a custom TDC mark on the gasser flywheel. just so you know if you do it.

zukgod1 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 22, 2008, 01:08:10 pm »

Quote from: "Possum79"

Everyone else says you have to cut a custom TDC mark on the gasser flywheel. just so you know if you do it.

Good point..

The lightened flywheel I just installed only had the 2 little bars on it so I did some careful measuring and used a center punch to mark TDC.

When I switched form the 200mm flywheel to the 210 a while back I neglected to do this and as a result my timing was so far off I don't know how it even ran..

hamradio · « **Reply #4 on:** May 22, 2008, 05:01:04 pm »

sure it just isn't aligned right?

zukgod1 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 22, 2008, 07:44:14 pm »

Quote from: "hamradio"

sure it just isn't aligned right?

Who are you talking to?

If your talking to me you cant mis align it, it only bolts on one way.

JunkcollectorJ · « **Reply #6 on:** May 28, 2008, 11:49:33 am »

Thanks for the replies. Good info! Turns out that I originally had a 200mm clutch in the car, and the replacement clutch kit (disc and pressure plate) I got was a 210mm...so the original flywheel obviously didn't fit. I ended up returning the 210mm clutch and getting the 200mm disc. I had originally thought I'd keep the 210mm clutch in hopes of it being an upgrade, but because of time constraints and no time to get the gasser flywheel I just went with the stock set up for now...

Zukgod1: How do you like the lightened flywheel? I was curious what effect it had on performance with the diesel? I might go that route later if it seemed to be a nice upgrade.

zukgod1 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 28, 2008, 12:48:40 pm »

Quote from: "JunkcollectorJ"

Thanks for the replies. Good info! Turns out that I originally had a 200mm clutch in the car, and the replacement clutch kit (disc and pressure plate) I got was a 210mm...so the original flywheel obviously didn't fit. I ended up returning the 210mm clutch and getting the 200mm disc. I had originally thought I'd keep the 210mm clutch in hopes of it being an upgrade, but because of time constraints and no time to get the gasser flywheel I just went with the stock set up for now...

Zukgod1: How do you like the lightened flywheel? I was curious what effect it had on performance with the diesel? I might go that route later if it seemed to be a nice upgrade.

I didn't notice any difference at all. As a matter a fact I think next time I'm in there I'll be using the stock 210mm flywheel for giggles then sell the lightened one. I suspect on a gasser it would help but our diesels don't rev fast enough to make use of it I don't think.