clutch? which one!?

283nova · 02-01-2010, 08:58 PM

ive converted my 64 nova over to a 4 speed and was wondering what clutch is going to be the best option ive eyeballed some sintered iron units from ram, and a twin disc unit from mcleod, which one is the most commonly excepted "good one" to use? its a high winding 302 chevy launches will most likely be 5500-6500.

Bob Lasko · 02-01-2010, 10:02 PM

When i had a modified 302 motor i used a MCCLOUD sintered iron clutch. iI had very good luck before switching to auto trans.
Bob Lasko

Ed Carpenter · 02-01-2010, 11:04 PM

Call Tim Hyatt he built my McLeod. He is very racer friendly. Ed

Geerhead55 · 02-02-2010, 12:05 AM

5500-6500 seems a little low for launching a "high winding 302". I know I'm old school, but back in the 70s I had a 331 that I left at 7600 rpm with and that was conservative to what other guys were doing at the time. Listening the revs from stick cars nowadays, I'm thinking they're still way upstairs when the hammer is dropped. My 2 cents.
I did use a McLeod unit back then and had very little problems with it. This was in a 66 Nova, around 2800lbs with 5:57 gears and a Super T-10. I miss those days. It sounds like you have a fun car there,,,,,take care.
Danny Durham

Mike Taylor 3601 · 02-02-2010, 09:26 AM

Use sintered iron w/adjustable pressure, pressure plate.5500-6500 why thats half RPM
for a high winding 302.I think you'll find that is way too low on launch if chassis&clutch are
right you'll probaly find leaving your high side chip will be fastest.
We launched my Dads 302 @ 10,000
Mike Taylor 3601

Matt Welker · 02-02-2010, 10:08 AM

vote #2 for "Call Tim Hyatt"

Jeff Lee · 02-02-2010, 10:41 AM

You'll be leaving at least 7500 RPM, probably 8000 if you have a clutch that is built and managed well. A clutch not built correctly will require a low RPM launch like 5500-6000 and will bog the engine big time on launch and gear changes. The proof will be in the ET. 1320/MPH = optimum ET, no if's, ands or buts.
If you want info on "the best" as you inquired, PM me for info on the clutch manufacturer (manufacturer, not rebuilder) that has the record book covered for stick cars in Stock & Super Stock (Comp also). For a 302 I would recommend a Sportsman dual 7" on a 142t flywheel. It is a sintered iron assembly. This unit will weigh (complete, clutch, pressure plate and flywheel) in at 18 pounds.
The McLeod twin disk you mentioned is not only way to much clutch for your application, it is a diaghram pressure plate. In essence, a diaghram is more like an on/off switch and not what a serious drag car needs.

Rod Greene · 02-02-2010, 10:57 AM

Only one person to call for a clutch. He manufactures them gives great personal service. Like Jeff said he has the records covered even if some of the racers won't acknowledge they have his clutch. Advanced Clutches Rob YoungBlood 208-880-6214. And 6500 is way low to leave.

283nova · 02-02-2010, 07:14 PM

the car was a footbrake auto car for the last 5 years so 6500 was just a guesstimate car has never had a "brake" and this will be 1st year with a clutch. also have switched form a solid to a solid roller.

Ed Carpenter · 02-02-2010, 10:24 PM

I have a 327 and I leave between 7600 and 8400 depending on track conditions.

02-01-2010, 08:58 PM	#1
283nova Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: spokane, wa Posts: 88 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	clutch? which one!? ive converted my 64 nova over to a 4 speed and was wondering what clutch is going to be the best option ive eyeballed some sintered iron units from ram, and a twin disc unit from mcleod, which one is the most commonly excepted "good one" to use? its a high winding 302 chevy launches will most likely be 5500-6500.

02-01-2010, 11:04 PM	#3
Ed Carpenter Live Reporter Join Date: May 2006 Location: Dripping Springs, Tx Posts: 2,709 Likes: 186 Liked 520 Times in 132 Posts	Re: clutch? which one!? Call Tim Hyatt he built my McLeod. He is very racer friendly. Ed __________________ Ed Carpenter 2005 Chevy Cobalt A/SM Race Engine Development

02-02-2010, 12:05 AM	#4
Geerhead55 VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Tacoma, Washington Posts: 1,632 Likes: 0 Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: clutch? which one!? 5500-6500 seems a little low for launching a "high winding 302". I know I'm old school, but back in the 70s I had a 331 that I left at 7600 rpm with and that was conservative to what other guys were doing at the time. Listening the revs from stick cars nowadays, I'm thinking they're still way upstairs when the hammer is dropped. My 2 cents. I did use a McLeod unit back then and had very little problems with it. This was in a 66 Nova, around 2800lbs with 5:57 gears and a Super T-10. I miss those days. It sounds like you have a fun car there,,,,,take care. Danny Durham

02-02-2010, 09:26 AM	#5
Mike Taylor 3601 VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Somerset,Ky Posts: 1,371 Likes: 352 Liked 304 Times in 102 Posts	Re: clutch? which one!? Use sintered iron w/adjustable pressure, pressure plate.5500-6500 why thats half RPM for a high winding 302.I think you'll find that is way too low on launch if chassis&clutch are right you'll probaly find leaving your high side chip will be fastest. We launched my Dads 302 @ 10,000 Mike Taylor 3601

02-02-2010, 10:08 AM	#6
Matt Welker Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Clear Spring, MD Posts: 193 Likes: 1,458 Liked 77 Times in 15 Posts	Re: clutch? which one!? vote #2 for "Call Tim Hyatt" __________________ Matt Welker Stock 1741, SS/AH 114 www.facebook.com/welkerracing

02-01-2010, 10:02 PM	#2
Bob Lasko Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Wilton,CT Posts: 628 Likes: 0 Liked 185 Times in 54 Posts	Re: clutch? which one!? When i had a modified 302 motor i used a MCCLOUD sintered iron clutch. iI had very good luck before switching to auto trans. Bob Lasko

02-02-2010, 10:41 AM	#7
Jeff Lee VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anthem, Arizona Posts: 2,766 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: clutch? which one!? You'll be leaving at least 7500 RPM, probably 8000 if you have a clutch that is built and managed well. A clutch not built correctly will require a low RPM launch like 5500-6000 and will bog the engine big time on launch and gear changes. The proof will be in the ET. 1320/MPH = optimum ET, no if's, ands or buts. If you want info on "the best" as you inquired, PM me for info on the clutch manufacturer (manufacturer, not rebuilder) that has the record book covered for stick cars in Stock & Super Stock (Comp also). For a 302 I would recommend a Sportsman dual 7" on a 142t flywheel. It is a sintered iron assembly. This unit will weigh (complete, clutch, pressure plate and flywheel) in at 18 pounds. The McLeod twin disk you mentioned is not only way to much clutch for your application, it is a diaghram pressure plate. In essence, a diaghram is more like an on/off switch and not what a serious drag car needs. __________________ Jeff Lee 7494 D/S '70 AMX

02-02-2010, 10:57 AM	#8
Rod Greene Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: TN Posts: 530 Likes: 420 Liked 242 Times in 81 Posts	Re: clutch? which one!? Only one person to call for a clutch. He manufactures them gives great personal service. Like Jeff said he has the records covered even if some of the racers won't acknowledge they have his clutch. Advanced Clutches Rob YoungBlood 208-880-6214. And 6500 is way low to leave. __________________ Rod Greene Real men shift for them selves. Slowly working on TA Challenger for D,E/S and a 72 Challenger for SS/K, L as if I don't have enough other projects.

02-02-2010, 07:14 PM	#9
283nova Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: spokane, wa Posts: 88 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: clutch? which one!? the car was a footbrake auto car for the last 5 years so 6500 was just a guesstimate car has never had a "brake" and this will be 1st year with a clutch. also have switched form a solid to a solid roller. Last edited by 283nova; 02-02-2010 at 07:48 PM.

02-02-2010, 10:24 PM	#10
Ed Carpenter Live Reporter Join Date: May 2006 Location: Dripping Springs, Tx Posts: 2,709 Likes: 186 Liked 520 Times in 132 Posts	Re: clutch? which one!? I have a 327 and I leave between 7600 and 8400 depending on track conditions. __________________ Ed Carpenter 2005 Chevy Cobalt A/SM Race Engine Development