Ram cinterd iron clutch help

Ed Carpenter · 09-16-2007, 12:14 PM

I run the same Ram set-up you have. I started with a non-cw clutch. With this I had to much slippage in high gear. if you simply increase the base it will hit the tires to hard on the starting line and you will blow the tires off. I had mine changed over to a cw weighted clutch and it has alot more adjustablilty in it. 720 base is alot. If you put cw levers in it you will be able to drop that base way down. I too run the Ram because I don't have a boatload of cash to buy a high dollar unit at this time. Good luck.

Ed Carpenter

66 Chevy II

4244 SS/H

Jeff Lee · 09-16-2007, 01:11 PM

I took the original statement of 720# and divided the stede 4 turns into 720# to arrive at 180# per turn. That's why I put a question mark at the end.
But I have to admit, 15# per turn is beyond my level of comprehension! Why would (or how could?) a pressure plate spring only achieve 15# per complete turn yet have 320# as a base? I think a double check is in order.
Andy, why would a Jerico require a clutch with less pressure than a G-Force? Just curious, always wanting to learn more. I would assume what you are saying is the G-Force can shift easier with a lot of pressure whereas the Jerico requires less pressure to shift easy? But regardless of shifting, wouldn't either transmission yield quicker ET's with a softer clutch setting, assuming it is not excessively soft?

The proceedure Andy mentions to find your "sweet spot" on the clutch is correct. Personally I don't have a data logger. I'm just now upgrading to an Autometer Ultimate II with driveshaft record capability. So far it's all been adjusting and looking at the time slip...which means I've burnt up more clutches that I'd like to admitt. A data logger will allow you to sneak up on the ideal setting.

As I said in my first response, there are a lot of variables. Andy confirmed it with "Ram uses less presssure than McLeod. (most times) Ram uses iron pressure ring, McLeod uses aluminum. Heat makes this clutch work,
so everything you do from the temp your clutch is before you start the engine to the way
you do a burnout affects the way the car works."

toddcalo · 09-16-2007, 05:28 PM

Ed what rpm did you leave and shift at. how much base and extra counter wieght did you run?

Ed Carpenter · 09-16-2007, 08:48 PM

I leave at 6600 on the line and shift at 8200-8600 depending on track, temp, etc. Right now I have 360 base with a bolt and nut with 3 washers(aluminum) on the levers. (They sell a kit with these items). Three washers for my car is alot of cw. my car will pull the wheels in 3rd gear with 3. If you go to far you will split that Jerico down the middle. You will have to play with your combo to see what your car likes. Im still working on mine. Good Luck. Jeff when you bringing the AMC out again.

Ed Carpenter

66 Chevy II

4244 SS/H

toddcalo · 09-16-2007, 08:51 PM

Ed is the bolt aluminum or just the washers?

Jeff Lee · 09-16-2007, 09:03 PM

Toddcalo,
I think I understand MY confussion with your figures. Your stating 320# is your zero'ed out base and you have 15# per turn TIMES your six adjusters or 90# per turn. That makes more sense. Keep it consistant!

Ed, The AMX is getting some new floors as well as ladder bars and other refinements. Waiting on parts. I seriously doubt if I will see an NHRA event this year. Just as in Texas, it's too dang hot to get motivated to work on the car. It should be cooling off here considerably in the next 2-4 weeks. I'm sure I'll make the first of the NHRA tour thru AZ in '08. Think you'll be here in Phoenix? Maybe we should both go for the SS/H record @ Firebird (AZ)? I've never paired up with somebody in the other lane going for a record. That would definetly be exciting!!!

Stick Racing · 09-17-2007, 12:48 AM

Jeff,

<< Why does a Jerico use less pressure than a G-Force?

Because McLeod's directions say so! I will assume it is because of less rotating mass. Several of our Pro Stick guys have the Ram/Jerico set up and will run 400# base with no counter weight. WORKS!
Lenco/Jeffco guys seem to use slightly more. Usually around 700#.

<< Soft is fast?

You bet. Less breakage, too. If you have too much base, it bogs the motor on the starting line. Too much counter and it drags the rpms down between shifts, not to mention it makes the car jump around. I believe a better word for soft would be smooth. Huge wheelstands and grabing air between gears looks good to the spectators, but it's not the fastest way down the track!

The Ram pressure plates come in 350# and 700# bases. (700 is too much). The older ones had 5 turns in them. 120# per turn. Just this week, I had 2 people tell me they had pp with only 4 turns total. Something new?

Andy Stone

09-16-2007, 12:14 PM	#1
Ed Carpenter Live Reporter Join Date: May 2006 Location: Dripping Springs, Tx Posts: 2,709 Likes: 186 Liked 520 Times in 132 Posts	Re: Ram cinterd iron clutch help I run the same Ram set-up you have. I started with a non-cw clutch. With this I had to much slippage in high gear. if you simply increase the base it will hit the tires to hard on the starting line and you will blow the tires off. I had mine changed over to a cw weighted clutch and it has alot more adjustablilty in it. 720 base is alot. If you put cw levers in it you will be able to drop that base way down. I too run the Ram because I don't have a boatload of cash to buy a high dollar unit at this time. Good luck. Ed Carpenter 66 Chevy II 4244 SS/H

09-16-2007, 01:11 PM	#2
Jeff Lee VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anthem, Arizona Posts: 2,766 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Ram cinterd iron clutch help I took the original statement of 720# and divided the stede 4 turns into 720# to arrive at 180# per turn. That's why I put a question mark at the end. But I have to admit, 15# per turn is beyond my level of comprehension! Why would (or how could?) a pressure plate spring only achieve 15# per complete turn yet have 320# as a base? I think a double check is in order. Andy, why would a Jerico require a clutch with less pressure than a G-Force? Just curious, always wanting to learn more. I would assume what you are saying is the G-Force can shift easier with a lot of pressure whereas the Jerico requires less pressure to shift easy? But regardless of shifting, wouldn't either transmission yield quicker ET's with a softer clutch setting, assuming it is not excessively soft? The proceedure Andy mentions to find your "sweet spot" on the clutch is correct. Personally I don't have a data logger. I'm just now upgrading to an Autometer Ultimate II with driveshaft record capability. So far it's all been adjusting and looking at the time slip...which means I've burnt up more clutches that I'd like to admitt. A data logger will allow you to sneak up on the ideal setting. As I said in my first response, there are a lot of variables. Andy confirmed it with "Ram uses less presssure than McLeod. (most times) Ram uses iron pressure ring, McLeod uses aluminum. Heat makes this clutch work, so everything you do from the temp your clutch is before you start the engine to the way you do a burnout affects the way the car works." __________________ Jeff Lee 7494 D/S '70 AMX Last edited by Jeff Lee; 09-16-2007 at 01:20 PM.

09-16-2007, 05:28 PM	#3
toddcalo Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 5 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Ram cinterd iron clutch help Ed what rpm did you leave and shift at. how much base and extra counter wieght did you run?

09-16-2007, 08:48 PM	#4
Ed Carpenter Live Reporter Join Date: May 2006 Location: Dripping Springs, Tx Posts: 2,709 Likes: 186 Liked 520 Times in 132 Posts	Re: Ram cinterd iron clutch help I leave at 6600 on the line and shift at 8200-8600 depending on track, temp, etc. Right now I have 360 base with a bolt and nut with 3 washers(aluminum) on the levers. (They sell a kit with these items). Three washers for my car is alot of cw. my car will pull the wheels in 3rd gear with 3. If you go to far you will split that Jerico down the middle. You will have to play with your combo to see what your car likes. Im still working on mine. Good Luck. Jeff when you bringing the AMC out again. Ed Carpenter 66 Chevy II 4244 SS/H

09-16-2007, 08:51 PM	#5
toddcalo Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 5 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Ram cinterd iron clutch help Ed is the bolt aluminum or just the washers?

09-16-2007, 09:03 PM	#6
Jeff Lee VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anthem, Arizona Posts: 2,766 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Ram cinterd iron clutch help Toddcalo, I think I understand MY confussion with your figures. Your stating 320# is your zero'ed out base and you have 15# per turn TIMES your six adjusters or 90# per turn. That makes more sense. Keep it consistant! Ed, The AMX is getting some new floors as well as ladder bars and other refinements. Waiting on parts. I seriously doubt if I will see an NHRA event this year. Just as in Texas, it's too dang hot to get motivated to work on the car. It should be cooling off here considerably in the next 2-4 weeks. I'm sure I'll make the first of the NHRA tour thru AZ in '08. Think you'll be here in Phoenix? Maybe we should both go for the SS/H record @ Firebird (AZ)? I've never paired up with somebody in the other lane going for a record. That would definetly be exciting!!! __________________ Jeff Lee 7494 D/S '70 AMX Last edited by Jeff Lee; 09-16-2007 at 09:06 PM.

09-17-2007, 12:48 AM	#7
Stick Racing Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 169 Likes: 4 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Ram cinterd iron clutch help Jeff, << Why does a Jerico use less pressure than a G-Force? Because McLeod's directions say so! I will assume it is because of less rotating mass. Several of our Pro Stick guys have the Ram/Jerico set up and will run 400# base with no counter weight. WORKS! Lenco/Jeffco guys seem to use slightly more. Usually around 700#. << Soft is fast? You bet. Less breakage, too. If you have too much base, it bogs the motor on the starting line. Too much counter and it drags the rpms down between shifts, not to mention it makes the car jump around. I believe a better word for soft would be smooth. Huge wheelstands and grabing air between gears looks good to the spectators, but it's not the fastest way down the track! The Ram pressure plates come in 350# and 700# bases. (700 is too much). The older ones had 5 turns in them. 120# per turn. Just this week, I had 2 people tell me they had pp with only 4 turns total. Something new? Andy Stone