Clutch question, Diaphragm versus Borg and beck, who has swapped to a diaphragm and do you like it

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Cliff Ramsdell

Cliff Ramsdell

I'm just a guy.
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Hi all,
As age moves in on us and working the clutch gets tough on the knee and such I have given thought to a clutch replacement and going with a diaphragm style clutch.

Who out there has made the switch and did you find the pedal pressure to be reduced and an all have a good all around experience? What product did you buy and like or not like? Did you remove the over centering spring?

Note, this is not high HP, not racing or any other extreme use, just a 340 Dart that gets driven a bit.

Thanks,
Cliff Ramsdell
 
I have a diaphragm pressure plate in my Duster, pretty easy to push, and I took off the over spring.
 
I ran a diaphragm pressure plate on my Duster when I had an 833 in it, the pedal effort wasn't bad and I was daily driving it with that set up. But I don't have a direct comparison to a B&B style pressure plate in an A-body. I run one now with my T56 but it's a hydraulic clutch set up so pedal effort isn't an issue.

You absolutely need to remove the over center spring with a diaphragm style pressure plate.

Not sure about your knee, but a hydraulic clutch set up might also be something for you to consider, as you can dramatically reduce the pedal effort.
 
In the early/ mid 70's I swapped a low miles 340 into my what had been 70 440-6 RR. I don't remember why, but I stuck a PP in there out of a 70's Corvette, 10 1/2" I liked it a lot, and remember, that RR with a 3.54 was a lot heavier "load" than an A body.
 
I have and raced my 340 Swinger since new.
Went thru a few BBeck pressure plates while racing, pedal was always heavy, and worse when I upgraded PP springs with some from previous big block cars.
I restored the car and went with a Center Force diaphragm PP, definitely need to remove overcentre spring.
It's much easier on my old knee at lights, more of a "pleasure" for sure.
I haven't had it to a strip, but on the street I kinda don't think it'd hold the power if I had slicks, I "sense" the Center force is - " just" holding the power, might just be a "clutch" tamer all by itself.
Still glad I changed, as it's a daily driver, and seldom gets full throttle.

P.S.
My son just came over while I was typing this, - and reminded me he snapped a thick Mopar shortened axle at launch, with his Center force.
- I had thought he used Borg and Beck .

Good luck.
 
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I love my CF-diaphragm.
I hated the CF-II disc, but it could sure take a beating, I swapped it out for a factory 340 organic disc. and I reduced the clamping by shimming the PP away from the flywheel, all is good now. except
If I abuse that 340 disc, I gotta replace it before the start of each new season.
 
AJ/FormS said:
I love my CF-diaphragm.
I hated the CF-II disc, but it could sure take a beating, I swapped it out for a factory 340 organic disc. and I reduced the clamping by shimming the PP away from the flywheel, all is good now. except
If I abuse that 340 disc, I gotta replace it before the start of each new season.
Click to expand...
Is the CF-II disc the dual friction? They have a clutch package with an organic disc, Centerforce ® II, Performance Clutch Kit, 560 ft/lbs Capacity, 10.4in Dia., 23-Spline, Fits Dodge/Plymouth Cars 8 Cyl


Thanks,
Cliff Ramsdell
 
Yes, the CF-II = CF-2
I bought more clutch than I needed. It was quite harsh until I tamed it, even to the point of tearing out the hubs of the Stock 340 discs. But I fixed it. It's been fine for decades.
 
Cliff Ramsdell said:
Hi all,
As age moves in on us and working the clutch gets tough on the knee and such I have given thought to a clutch replacement and going with a diaphragm style clutch.

Who out there has made the switch and did you find the pedal pressure to be reduced and an all have a good all around experience? What product did you buy and like or not like? Did you remove the over centering spring?

Note, this is not high HP, not racing or any other extreme use, just a 340 Dart that gets driven a bit.

Thanks,
Cliff Ramsdell
Click to expand...
I think the Centerforce dual friction disc would be fine... might be a little aggressive but I bet it would not slip. Maybe Talk to Chris from Turbos Unleashed and see if he still has that clutch guy he deals with... It is what I ran in my Omni and it held 400 HP
 
85glht said:
I think the Centerforce dual friction disc would be fine... might be a little aggressive but I bet it would not slip. Maybe Talk to Chris from Turbos Unleashed and see if he still has that clutch guy he deals with... It is what I ran in my Omni and it held 400 HP
Click to expand...
Thanks Dave. I’ll most likely get a new steel flywheel and an organic disc with a diaphragm cover assembly. Something my old knee will enjoy.
 
I had a Borg and Beck (incorrect) in my 75 F250, Gladys when I bought her. The clutch was a little hard to press. When it was time to put a clutch in it, I discovered someone had put a Borg and Beck style clutch in it, which is not the correct style for that truck. SO I put a good quality LUK diaphragm style 12" clutch in it and it was a huge difference. Even Kitty doesn't mind driving her now.
 
With the Diaphragm, if you don't remove that over-center spring will the clutch work right or will it cause problems?
 
Cliff Ramsdell said:
Thanks Dave. I’ll most likely get a new steel flywheel and an organic disc with a diaphragm cover assembly. Something my old knee will enjoy.
Click to expand...
Sucks getting old!! This is why I don't mind having an automatic this time around :thumbsup:
 
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