Clutch weight question.....

First post, so be gentle, hehe. I just started working on a local TAFC. 526BAE, PSI blower, 6 stand Crower 10.7 clutch. When we were putting the clutch in the car for next weekends regional in Indy they had me install weights on 3 of the 6 levers, staggered every other one. My question is this standard or would you normally spread the weight out more evenly across all 6 levers? Thanks!

 

Thanks for the quick reply and the welcome Mike. Being new to the area behind the motor plate, and being a bit OCD about information and trying to eliminate variables I want to learn as much as I can and make the most informed decisions I can. As far as clutch adjustments, starting points, between round procedures, maintenance etc. goes, I've found very little info besides the threads I've saw on here. I've made notes, mental and paper, and the most helpful video was the Ram clutch video on Youtube. It at least had me acquainted with the general assembly and basic adjustment before we started. Is there any recommended reading you folks would suggest? I know a lot of this is going to be on the job training, and on track training because so much is dependant on conditions.

 

What you need to learn to be good with a clutch isn't in any book. Hang out with clutch guys on established performing teams, ask questions, observe. When it comes to performance and maintenance, everyone kind of has their own way of doing things. Two things I can tell you in the grand scheme that I learned: Consistency in what you do and how you do it is really what makes the difference, and the more consistent down to the finest detail is what breeds success. The second thing is there are very few things in the clutch department considered "Right" or "Wrong". Some guys run tapers on the clutch pack, some guys run dead flat to the .0001", some people use a light lever, some use a heavier, some use a super stout static spring, others run light as hell. If it works for you, and works well, then I would say you're doing something Right no matter what anyone else does or tells you. It really is the most subjective parts of a race car, which is why if you even had a textbook, it wouldn't be a ton of help.

 

Justinatace you have a pm

 

If you want a consistant clutch run after run you need to have a program in place to maintain an average Rockwell +/- your own predetermined parameters in the bellhousing. A lot of people don't bother with this and they are easy to spot on the track. Very easy to spot.

 

basic setup?

when buying a clutch,new or used,does the manufacturer provide a "basic" setup to work from with a specific application,or is the beginner clutch tuner(and pilot,and mechanic,and owner of the racecar at the same time!)on his own?
is it a good idea to buy a used clutch to begin with or to go with new stuff?

 

Thanks for all the tips and encouragement guys! I'm sure after next weekends race in Indy I'll have more questions, but hopefully I'll have a little bit of time to watch some of the other teams and see how they do it to possibly adapt our program to something that works for us as well. I think my big thing will be getting some repetition to get my between round maintenance times down.

 

Peeking in on people's clutch is usually grounds for great bodily harm.

 

And if you don't you'll be as inconsistant as heck. Three runs in a row making no changes other than servicing the clutch will produce three different results and you won't know why.