Clutch Replacement - what parts to buy

[nelsonj]

Hi Vicks,
I need to replace my clutch (drive train for a 78 spider 1800). A few questions:

1) I just street drive, I never race. What clutch, throwout bearing, (anything else) do you recommend?
2) While they are changing the clutch, are there any seals that are readily accessible? I was thinking there might be easy access to the engine's output shaft, or even possibly the input shaft of the transmission. Do you recommend any seals changes while they are "down there"?
3) Is there anything else I should do? I'm thinking about going with a lightened flywheel. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

Peace.
Out.

[AndyVAS]

The stock Valeo clutch kit works great.

Replacing the seals isn't a bad idea but then again, don't fix what isn't broken.

Resurfacing the flywheel is a wise decision. Lightening the flywheel makes the car feel more peppy. Definitely worth it to shave a few pounds off.

[nelsonj]

Thanks! I generally agree about not fixing things that aren't broken, but in my book seals are wear parts, and these seals have been on the car long time and have a lot of miles!

I take a look at that stock clutch kit you mention. Thank you.

[SteinOnkel]

I would recommend not getting the flywheel lightened. I don't have any experience with that procedure on these cars, but generally speaking it makes street driving more difficult. They knew what they were doing when they designed it back in the day. I think the twin cam engine in stock form is one of the best parts about these cars and I would not want to mess with the characteristics of it.

And I always do the rear main seals when I'm doing a clutch. Gotta wait for the flywheel to come back from the resurfacing for a day or two anyways.

See if the flywheel bolts are torque to yield and need to be replaced. On a lot of cars they are.

Oh and FYI: (Grip) Racing is much easier on your clutch, throwout bearing and flywheel then stop & go traffic for example.

[RRoller123]

I bought Allison's lightened flywheel and the car is far quicker now in acceleration. Really made a big difference. However, the downside is that it is a little more unstable at slow speeds, it surges a bit and you have to feather the throttle at times in stop and go traffic. Only see this at like 3-6 mph, that sort of range. Whenever there is power being applied, there is no noticeable difference at all, which is expected, because you are adding energy to the system. But when slowly rolling along, in gear, at very slow constant speed, it surges a bit. Other than that, no complaints at all. This is probably the best bang for the buck upgrade available, if you are already in there doing a clutch.

[AndyVAS]

If you lighten the flywheel too much it can make the car have odd little problems or be hard to get moving. Nobody has complained about that with ours and I've never felt any issues while diving the various cars we've put them in.

These motor use NO torque to yield bolts.

Racing is NOT less damaging on ANY PART of a car than street driving. Go to a track and you'll find out first hand. Ask any racer or crew member.