Total Clutch Melt Down (Ram 700 and single mass flywheel

[69MyWay]

Close up on the disc

There is no way this went all at one time. Maybe my 12 second runs were lost to this mess. Notice how the puck pads are torn off the disc. This baby got HOT! But, all in one run? It does not add up.

Unless, the slave cylinder got hung up?

I guess this means, machine the flywheel, have the pressure plate checked and machined, and send the disc back to RAM for the 900 flywheel side conversion.

 

[P-ColaVette]

Extreme Failure....

Hello Chris !
Thanks for the pic's, and Man, that couldn't have occured in one pass, unless your making about 1,000 HP ! Did you mention earlier that you had autocrossed the car a couple of times ? I'm thinking that there is definitely another gremlin behind this major malfunction. You are on the right track with what you need to do to get the '90 back up and running, but I would ask the machine shop to give everything a very thorough inspection !



Steve.

 

[69MyWay]

Bad News!

Just dropped off the flywheel and pressure plate for rebuilding. Come to find out, the release bearing can not be serviced as a seperate part. So, I am buying another new pressure plate. Just chalk up another $202 to this repair.

RAM has been great so far communicating back and fourth with me via email. They are now telling me that there have been some problems putting the disc against a stock OEM surfaced flywheel. Well, that is what I did here, so maybe it did not seat up right from day one. I have never really liked the feel of this thing.

 

[Ken]

Originally posted by 69MyWay
...I feel bad for Ken driving right into the heart of the wet mess.

Missed me completely!

Originally posted by P-ColaVette
...I have a three bedroom/two bath house, and I am bumping around in it all by myself! With plenty of room for parking tow rigs/trailers and miscellaneous vettes that might get driven along!

That is definitely an understatement about having room! :L

Originally posted by 69MyWay
...the release bearing can not be serviced as a seperate part.

Why didn't I think to leave the Tilton release bearing with you (give it to you) when I was there?

Have you discovered any problems with your hydraulics? Why was it (the reservoir) dry?

_ken

 

[69MyWay]

Have you discovered any problems with your hydraulics? Why was it (the reservoir) dry?

_ken

The theory is that the disc went away so bad that it allowed the pressure plate to go to an extreme. When I pressed the clutch pedal it actuall pulled the bearing in two pieces from the excessive travel. My theory at this point is that the hydraulic fluid all rushed into the slave cylinder (as the resevior was a little low to start with) and sucked air in.

Now, does this explain why the neutral saftey switch has died? I don't know, but I am sure I will find out.

 

[89ZZ4]

Chris - You have a nice mess. Question - what kind of flywheel are you running as it doesn't look like the dual mass. I'd be very leary of a straight resurface job on it as the hot spots may have done the number on the casting metallurgy deep enough to need a new one. Same could hold true for the pressure plate. Need a very careful inspection.

Phil (aka 89ZZ4)

 

[69MyWay]

Chris - You have a nice mess. Question - what kind of flywheel are you running as it doesn't look like the dual mass. I'd be very leary of a straight resurface job on it as the hot spots may have done the number on the casting metallurgy deep enough to need a new one. Same could hold true for the pressure plate. Need a very careful inspection.

Phil (aka 89ZZ4)

Phill,

It is getting a new pressure plate by default due to the release bearing failure. This is a common conversion as seen at www.tpis.com It is a single mass flywheel as found only on the 87 and 88 4+3 cars (proper balancing for the type II block).

The clutch shop where I took it feels it will turn out just fine. Nothing too serious.

Yep, it is a nice mess. Nothing a little visa/mastercard can't fix.

 

[89ZZ4]

Chris:

Thanks. I looked at changing mine out but decided to keep the total stock setup as it only had 11K on it when I did the engine change. It will be interesting to see how long it lasts. I don't drive it too hard and so far with only a couple of quarter mile runs it should last but who knows, especially with old equipment. If I put in the 4.10 rear and use drag radials for 1/4 mile runs next year it will be interesting.

Phil (aka 89ZZ4)

 

[-=Jeff=-]

Chris,
do you have the part numbers for all the pieces for your clutch set-up?

also a website for RAM?

finally does your clutch disc have sprung hub?

thanks

 

[Fiddler's Gold]

Man o Man o Man

Sorry to hear of your tragedy at the track. Racing does extend a tremendous torture on your vehicle. Any vehicle - even the ones that have been reinforced to handle the excess burdens and mind-blowing forces. Let us all take a moment and be thankful that you nor anyone you love were injured or slighted by this unfortunate setback with your Corvette. You will live to spin your tires, hookup, & race with the BIG DOGS again. Good luck in finding a solution to your clutch problem and remember to count your blessings and keep your perspective. Good luck, buddy.



Fiddler

 

[69MyWay]

Chris,
do you have the part numbers for all the pieces for your clutch set-up?

also a website for RAM?

finally does your clutch disc have sprung hub?

thanks

Here is a site for RAM: http://www.ramclutches.com/

My new disc is a combo between the RAM 700 series, and RAM 900 series with the 300 series (organic) on the pressure plate side, and the 900 on the flywheel side. There is more metalic stuff now on the flywheel side.

Yes, the hub is sprung.

It runs the OEM pressure plate.

This is an interesting disclaimer---mostly because they know I am using an OEM flywheel and only stressed that I get it stone cut.

RAM 900 Series discs are the high tech alternative for early and late model performance applications. Using a sintered iron friction material borrowed from high horsepower Pro Stock and Pro Modified clutches, 900 Series clutches provide extremely high coefficients of friction with minimal chatter and reduced static pressures. This type of material is engineered to provide a limited amount of 'slip' on engagement that allows the clutch to engage without overpowering the tires. All 900 Series discs use the high strength eight spring hub and Poly-coil springs for extreme dampening capabilities. This clutch disc is recommended for severe duty street and strip applications where driveability is not the highest concern. (Don't use the 900 Series disc with a factory flywheel as the aggressive material will quickly wear the flywheel surface. We recommend only RAM billet steel or aluminum flywheels for use with these discs.)

Fiddler, Thanks for the concern and reminding me that all this metal and fiberglass can rott and rust, but being safe and sound is the most important thing!

This car will live again, and this time she is going to have more of an attitude. Between the new gear set, fresh clutch, and a owner determined to rip off a 12 second 1/4 mile......it has a date with destiny.

 

[-=Jeff=-]

Chris, is there a phone # for there tech support? I could not find it on the website.

I did submit an E-tech question about a set-up however..

 

[Plastic1]

Did you use a longer pivot ball?

 

[69MyWay]

Did you use a longer pivot ball?

Yes, it came with the "kit" from TPiS that originally included the 700 disc.

Jeff, I don't have a phone number handy. They are great about e-mailing back. However you can get the phone number on the contact portion of the site. It is not toll free. The techs are not available after 3:00 p.m. on weekdays (EST).