Big Blue24

I'm getting a clutch installed at a local reputable shop that is slow on work so they quoted me 365 bucks for the work. At that price, I can't justify doing the work myself.

Has anyone installed a new clutch without resurfacing the flywheel? My current 13" clutch works fine, it just slips at the track in 4th and 5th.

If they try to hit me with a 150 dollar charge to resurface the flywheel, I want to be able to logically respond. How much should it cost to resurface a flywheel?

cumminsdriver635

$75 at the most. I took my uncles to a machine shop and had it done recently, and I think it was $60. That should give you a good baseline.

Big Blue24

I figure 50-100 dollars is reasonable for resurfacing but wanted input.

arcticcat12224

go buy a southbend and you wont have the slipping issue

Big Blue24

Thanks....

I'll do that just as soon as this free warranty clutch burns up. By tomorrow we will know the problem, for all I know, the rear main is leaking. Nobody's clutch will hold up to a leaky rear main.

Big Blue24

No oil contamination, just too much torque for an organic 13" clutch. The spring hub has some serious wear and tear. The clutch facings looked good but the flywheel had a .010" deep groove from the old clutch, machine shop had to remove about .013" to get it looking good again.

The old pressure plate looks like it held up much better than the flywheel.

Does anyone know if the 6 speed flywheels are softer than the 5 speed flywheels. My mechanic had never seen a clutch disk eat into a flywheel like that in his entire 30+ years.

Big Blue24

Not to bash Valair, but has anyone seen springs do this in 25-30K miles. I know they now make an upgraded spring hub with extra springs. I'm not sure the springs would have outlived the facings.

Big Deezul

never seen that before. I dont think it has anything to do with your flywheel material either.

Lary Ellis (Top)

You really can't expect anything more from a Valair clutch.

Call Peter at Southbend and ask Him how the Valair Plate looked when he tested one for strength

Now you know why they are so cheap

Big Deezul

I talked to peter about that and thats why I decided to go with a SB...I got it yesterday and i cant believe how heavy it is! It is a serious piece of hardware

Big Blue24

Yeah, I used to be a fan, now i'm starting to question what i got myself into.

Big Deezul

kinda sucks for valair because when I searched I read your post about them...you were kind of like their unofficial spokes person and just about had my mind made up to purchase one and then I decided just to give Peter a call and pick his brain about which clutch he would recommend if I were to go with a SB. The DTR price is really nice! At that point, with all the positive feedback they get, it was a no brainer for me.

with all the kind words you have said about them, hopefully they take care of you BIG TIME!!