FYI FORD MustangSteve's Ford Mustang Forum / Installed my first twin disk clutch

**Posted by RTM** 5/27/2024 4:20 AM

Yesterday was a good day for progress. After getting the rest of the rear axle put together, I decided to start on the installation of the transmission. So far I got the twin disk installed, which I thought was going to be more complicated than it was. Pretty much bolts in like a regular clutch. I hate to cover it up, it looks so cool bolted up.

**Posted by BobE** 5/27/2024 5:43 AM

Looks good. Just a note, the last time I used the plastic clutch alignment shaft that came with the clutch setup, I couldn’t get the transmission installed. As I have an input shaft from a transmission, and reset it using it, transmission went in w/o any issues.
Just saying.

**Posted by RTM** 5/27/2024 7:52 AM

BobE wrote:
Looks good. Just a note, the last time I used the plastic clutch alignment shaft that came with the clutch setup, I couldn’t get the transmission installed. As I have an input shaft from a transmission, and reset it using it, transmission went in w/o any issues.
Just saying.

I find the gravity tends to cause the pilot tool to lay down causing it to be at a slight angle. I tend to hold them up a little as I tighten the pressure plate making sure it moves freely.

image hosting

**Posted by KeithP** 5/27/2024 1:12 PM

RTM wrote:
BobE wrote:
Looks good. Just a note, the last time I used the plastic clutch alignment shaft that came with the clutch setup, I couldn’t get the transmission installed. As I have an input shaft from a transmission, and reset it using it, transmission went in w/o any issues.
Just saying.

I find the gravity tends to cause the pilot tool to lay down causing it to be at a slight angle. I tend to hold them up a little as I tighten the pressure plate making sure it moves freely.

I foolishly gave away my old transmission shaft I used to use for alignment when I sold my old transmission. I also found that if you hold the plastic one in a more upright position and make sure it moves freely it aligns the clutch disc without any issues.

**Posted by MS** 5/27/2024 7:19 PM

I look forward to hearing about how it operates.
On that alignment thing, since you have cable clutch, hook the cable to the release arm before attempting to stab the tranny in the bell. If any resistance is felt getting the splines to align (meaning the pilot shaft is already through the bearing) have somebody push the clutch pedal while you push on the tranny and it will slide in easily, every time.

I look forward to your report on the operation of the clutch. I have been considering one for my 66, but not sure how much improvement can be expected.

**Posted by RTM** 5/28/2024 3:36 AM

MS wrote:
I look forward to hearing about how it operates.
On that alignment thing, since you have cable clutch, hook the cable to the release arm before attempting to stab the tranny in the bell. If any resistance is felt getting the splines to align (meaning the pilot shaft is already through the bearing) have somebody push the clutch pedal while you push on the tranny and it will slide in easily, every time.

I look forward to your report on the operation of the clutch. I have been considering one for my 66, but not sure how much improvement can be expected.

Ive used the clutch pedal before to get things together. Sadly I was by myself and there is no way my wife would crawl in the car and sit on the floor, well she might have. Lol

Ive read nothing but positive things about the twin disc clutch. It’s suppose to be easier on parts when dumping the clutch and easier to operate.

**Posted by TKOPerformance** 5/28/2024 6:08 AM

RTM wrote:
MS wrote:
I look forward to hearing about how it operates.
On that alignment thing, since you have cable clutch, hook the cable to the release arm before attempting to stab the tranny in the bell. If any resistance is felt getting the splines to align (meaning the pilot shaft is already through the bearing) have somebody push the clutch pedal while you push on the tranny and it will slide in easily, every time.

I look forward to your report on the operation of the clutch. I have been considering one for my 66, but not sure how much improvement can be expected.

Ive used the clutch pedal before to get things together. Sadly I was by myself and there is no way my wife would crawl in the car and sit on the floor, well she might have. Lol

Ive read nothing but positive things about the twin disc clutch. It’s suppose to be easier on parts when dumping the clutch and easier to operate.

A clamp or ratchet strap on the release arm will do the same thing and you can do it by yourself. The odds I have anyone around to help are slim, so I've had to figure out how to do things myself over the years. Sometimes a foot works as a third hand...

**Posted by RTM** 5/28/2024 6:34 AM

TKO now that’s thinking outside of the box!!!

**Posted by 6sally6** 6/01/2024 9:10 AM

I'm never too old to learn sump'in........
That being said Would somebody explain to me HOW does a Dual disc clutch work !? I get the single disc operation butt.....dual disces ?!! (pictures may be helpful)
6sally6

**Posted by Rudi** 6/01/2024 1:09 PM

Well Mikey my guess is it’s sumthin like the friction plates in a slush box.
Must be two plates separated by a floating plate and basically doubling the friction area.
IIRC they also have triple and quad clutches.

Sorry the only pictures I got are in my minds eye and can’t post them
. . . If I did the mods would more than likely ban me🤪
👨‍👨‍👧

**Posted by Texas!** 6/01/2024 3:04 PM

6sally6 wrote:
I'm never too old to learn sump'in........
That being said Would somebody explain to me HOW does a Dual disc clutch work !? I get the single disc operation butt.....dual disces ?!! (pictures may be helpful)
6sally6

A dual disc clutch has 2 clutch discs that are splined to the transmission input shaft. In between the 2 discs is an intermediate steel plate that is anchored to the pressure plate so it spins with the pressure plate and the flywheel. When the clutch pedal is released the springs in the pressure plate squeeze the entire assembly together so that the intermediate plate "grabs" one side of each clutch disc, the forward clutch disc is "grabbed" by the flywheel on its other side and the aft clutch disc is "grabbed" on its other side by the pressure plate.
It is a way of doubling the clutch surface area without resorting to a pizza platter sized clutch disc and pressure plate.

**Posted by rpm** 6/01/2024 4:22 PM

**Posted by TKOPerformance** 6/02/2024 6:16 AM

Texas! wrote:
6sally6 wrote:
I'm never too old to learn sump'in........
That being said Would somebody explain to me HOW does a Dual disc clutch work !? I get the single disc operation butt.....dual disces ?!! (pictures may be helpful)
6sally6
A dual disc clutch has 2 clutch discs that are splined to the transmission input shaft. In between the 2 discs is an intermediate steel plate that is anchored to the pressure plate so it spins with the pressure plate and the flywheel. When the clutch pedal is released the springs in the pressure plate squeeze the entire assembly together so that the intermediate plate "grabs" one side of each clutch disc, the forward clutch disc is "grabbed" by the flywheel on its other side and the aft clutch disc is "grabbed" on its other side by the pressure plate.
It is a way of doubling the clutch surface area without resorting to a pizza platter sized clutch disc and pressure plate.

Also, it keeps the mass closer to the center of the crank, which improves how fast the engine revs (yes it also decelerates faster too).

**Posted by TKOPerformance** 6/02/2024 6:24 AM

Rudi wrote:
Well Mikey my guess is it’s sumthin like the friction plates in a slush box.
Must be two plates separated by a floating plate and basically doubling the friction area.
IIRC they also have triple and quad clutches.

Sorry the only pictures I got are in my minds eye and can’t post them
. . . If I did the mods would more than likely ban me🤪
👨‍👨‍👧

Top Fuel cars use a clutch that has 5 discs. Basically those cars are direct drive, so the clutch comes on progressively as the car goes down the track. That's how they avoid blowing the tires off a 10,000HP car at the line, and still have enough RPM to reach 330MPH at the top end. The clutch guy is probably the most important member of the pit crew. If the clutch setting is too aggressive they smoke the tires at the line and they lose, or if its not aggressive enough they run a subpar ET and lose. There's thousands of adjustments they can make for track conditions, weather, etc. Super expensive too, and pretty sure they last all of one run.

**Posted by John Ha** 6/02/2024 7:27 AM

Motorcycles have used multi-plate clutches for ages (lore has it that this started shortly after the great flood, hence the term "wet clutches"). My current ride has 8 friction disks.

Last edited by John Ha (6/02/2024 7:29 AM)

**Posted by 6sally6** 6/02/2024 3:19 PM

Now...........it makes more since to me.
I can just picture it now, some time in the near future. I'm gonna be tawk'in hot rodz and stuff and I can say....
"Ya know, that set-up right there probably needs a good dual-disk clutch to really 'hook' like it aught-too ! You DO KNOW how they work don't cha !? " "Hand me onna dem cool-ones and Ol Sal will 'splain-it to ya !!
6sally6

**Posted by RTM** 6/02/2024 3:36 PM

6sally6 wrote:
Now...........it makes more since to me.
I can just picture it now, some time in the near future. I'm gonna be tawk'in hot rodz and stuff and I can say....
"Ya know, that set-up right there probably needs a good dual-disk clutch to really 'hook' like it aught-too ! You DO KNOW how they work don't cha !? " "Hand me onna dem cool-ones and Ol Sal will 'splain-it to ya !!
6sally6

Lol

**Posted by MS** 6/07/2024 3:56 PM

Have you driven rhat new clutch yet? Can’t wait for the report.

**Posted by RTM** 6/07/2024 5:00 PM

MS wrote:
Have you driven rhat new clutch yet? Can’t wait for the report.

Im a couple months away from driving it.

**Posted by MS** 6/07/2024 6:07 PM

Well, I need a new clutch before the Bash trip, so hurry it up!

**Posted by RTM** 6/08/2024 5:09 AM

MS wrote:
Well, I need a new clutch before the Bash trip, so hurry it up!

My son keeps telling me the same thing. He’s coming home for two weeks at the end of August. He wants the car running by then.

**Posted by RTM** 6/15/2024 12:03 PM

MS wrote:
Well, I need a new clutch before the Bash trip, so hurry it up!

I can push the clutch to the floor with one hand.

**Posted by MS** 6/15/2024 8:27 PM

Good selling feature! Mine takes both legs.

**Posted by BobE** 6/16/2024 8:17 AM

Is this a case of one strong arm, or two weak legs! (LOL)

Happy Father's Day to all.

**Posted by KeithP** 6/16/2024 9:07 AM

RTM wrote:
MS wrote:
Well, I need a new clutch before the Bash trip, so hurry it up!

I can push the clutch to the floor with one hand.

You have the clutch cable kit and it's adjusted properly and you can still push the clutch pedal to the floor with one hand?