clutch recommendation

[Tigger]

Hello. Just picked up another 69 a month ago. Have the rebuilt 383 (stock with mild cam) with 18 spline trans.

Heres the question, should it have a 10.50 inch clutch or 11inch.
I have an aftermarket bellhousing.

Thanks

[69wannabe]

Depending on the amount of teeth on the flywheel I think. 130 teeth flywheel's use the 10.5 clutch and the 143 teeth use the 11 inch. I'm not positive about that but it being a 69 model it should be an 11 inch. Thing's get changed around alot over 40+ years tho... My car should have an 11 inch but for some reason when I bought it the bellhousing was a 66 model cast iron 10.5" and it has a 130 tooth flywheel and clutch with a 70 model 23 spline transmission. It's all mixed up but it works fine!! 

[Tigger]

Thanks for response.  I should of added there is no flywheel. I have engine aftermarket bellhousing and trans.
Was the 23 spline the trans that should have been behind the 383 or was the 18 spline available also?

[Tigger]

Basically what is ok for a flywheel, clutch and pressure plate for a 383 with an 18 spline?

[69wannabe]

The 18 spline was only for the hemi and 440 cars. The 23 spline was for the 383 and small blocks. I am running the Ram power grip clutch and a ram flywheel in my charger and it has held up good. Surely someone else will chime in. I know I had went through 3 parts store clutches and finally bought the ram clutch and it works great. Had the same problem with my old ford truck, put 3 parts store clutches in it and finally put a ram clutch in it and it was great too!

[c00nhunterjoe]

I have an 11" centerforce dual friction behind my 383 and it grips well enough to destroy rears and bend traction bars.

[1974dodgecharger]

I have an 11" centerforce dual friction behind my 383 and it grips well enough to destroy rears and bend traction bars.

ditto...same setup here.

[Tigger]

Thanks you for the responses.  Gonna shop and compare now.

[maxwellwedge]

I like McLeod clutches. Never had much luck with the others.

[68pplcharger]

I've got an 11" Centerforce clutch, they are awesome...

[Tigger]

Thanks for the recommendations.

Another question though, since the 383 never came with a 18 spline, what would be correct, a pilot bushing or bearing.
There looks to be a brass bushing in the center of the crank right now, but that would have been for an 23 spline correct?

[maxwellwedge]

Factory cars had a bushing. I'm not 100% sure if an 18 and 23 spline trans has the same "nose" dimension for the bushing - but I would guess that they do. I'll check some stuff out and let you know - or maybe someone else can jump in with that answer.

[Troy]

If you have an after market bell housing you need to figure out what will fit inside it. I believe most are for the smaller (10.5") flywheel/clutch combos. Most people seem to only go with 11" clutches and 143 tooth flywheels when trying to stay stock - because the z-bar, clutch fork, flywheel, and bell housing must match. Your car would have had the big iron bell housing, 11" clutch, 143 tooth flywheel, and 23 spline transmission from the factory. The 10.5" was introduced in 1970 I believe.

Last time I bought parts, the 18 spline and 23 spline throwout bearings were different. The bushings were not. Seems logical.

I use original style McLeod clutches in all mine - except my 23 spline has a standard Centerforce (not the $700 super duper special) that came with it when I bought it used. I have a RAM in my Ford but it only has about 100 miles on it. No complaints so far.

Troy

[Tigger]

Hello again.  Is anyone here using a Lakewood style bellhousing that could post pics of it installed in there car. Im trying to see what i need. I have the z bar and getting the clutch fork. I just want to see what an installed setup looks like.

Also i know you need  to setup the factory bellhousing to the crank using a dial indicator, does the lakewood bellhousing need the same. The bolt holes look small so i dont see how i can shift the bellhousing with dowels if need be.
Once again thank you for your input.

[kokxville]

I've got an 11" Centerforce clutch, they are awesome...

me too.Works great