DeTomaso Mailing List: October 99, Message #83

MikeLDrew@aol.com wrote:

> Al,
>
> Rick Moseley recently got very smart on Centerforce clutches, and what he
> told me was very interesting indeed.  Apparently Centerforce makes a clutch
> specifically for Pantera applications, and this clutch is NOT what the some
> of the vendors are selling.  Thus not all "Pantera" Centerforce clutches are
> created equal?  Centerforce will warrenty some of them, but specifically
> won't warrenty some that other Pantera vendors are marketing.
>
> Rick?  Care to elaborate?
>

What?  Cat got your tongue??  I told you everything Drewster.....

Here is what I got from the Tech Support guy who called me from Midway.

Because of clearance problems within the ZF bellhousing on the Cleveland, they
have developed a group of parts specifically for the Pantera.   Apparently they
even have a crunched ZF in their development area that they have cut up for
inspection and measurements.   They do not use the same parts as on a period
Mustang with a Cleveland because of the different bellhousing.  The standard
351C application is an 11inch unit and will not work.  They recommend the 10.5
inch unit that requires remachining the flywheel to fit.   Midway has taken this
one step further.  They make a special flywheel which increases clearances and
has the correct 10.5 inch bolt pattern.  They also hand build a special pressure
plate for the Pantera which uses a lowered diaphragm finger height and special
shaped bob weights for clearance at the ZF throwout mechanism.  He said many
vendors are buying their Centerforce I and II units off the shelf for Panteras,
however they only hand build this "special" clutch in the Dual Friction line and
at this point they are no longer honoring (pressure plate) warranties on
anything other than their hand made DF on Panteras.   Based on a conversation
with Jack D, I asked about the need for a crowned throwout bearing.  He said
they are not needed for their clutches and the lowered finger assembly further
negated the need for a crowned throwout.

They keep limited supplies of the flywheels in stock, in fact when I ordered
mine they were out and had to have another batch made.   They hand build the
special pressure plate, so it does add 2-3 days to delivery.  He also said these
parts are generally not listed or cataloged and some retailers may say they
don't exist.  They do, I can assure you as I have a set in my garage waiting for
the next PCNC tech session where those who have gone before me can help me get
this one in.   Mike DeRyke, you don't want to work on Nancy's car again do
you....???

Oh, will someone in PCNC who talks to Larry on a regular basis please ask him to
have a throwout bearing on his truck.... its sold.

Part numbers are:

Special pressure plate and disk kit:     DF021048S  ("S" is critical when
ordering)
Special made cleveland flywheel:        700250-48    (the -48 is the critical #)

I got mine through a friend who is a wholesaler and with shipping the cost was
just over $500.  Your mileage may vary.......

If anyone has any comments or suggestion on other items I should look at while
this job is being done, please let me know.

Rick
#6653