Re: Restoration of my B5 Blue 4Spd Charger 500... Blue Thunder debuts...Finally!

[xs29j8Bullitt]

Ken and I have been discussing the use of a CenterForce clutch in the C500... requiring the removal of the clutch pedal over-center spring.  Anyone have experience/comments to share?

On the workshop re-org front... more progress was made!  See pics... 

[Fred]

I just love that 68 Hemi Charger poster   

[xs29j8Bullitt]

I just love that 68 Hemi Charger poster   

It's my favorite... bought mine on eBay, but is also available here:

http://www.automotive-art.com/product.asp?id=RM0004


...

[moparstuart]

Shop is looking fantastic 

[Charger-Bodie]

Alan, I too am a big fan of the centerforce clutch. holds awesome and the pedal pressure is more tolerable. you are right on the money with removing the spring though.

[xs29j8Bullitt]

Shop is looking fantastic 

Thanks Stuart... It's starting to get there finally, but has a ways to go.  Moved a small refrigerator and a TV with built in DVD & VHS players into the workshop last week.  Many more changes coming this year!

Below is a picture of the same area taken 4+ years ago compared to the one taken last night...

[xs29j8Bullitt]

Alan, I too am a big fan of the centerforce clutch. holds awesome and the pedal pressure is more tolerable. you are right on the money with removing the spring though.

Thanks Brian, that's exactly what I was hoping to hear.  I believe most of the "bad press" on the CF clutch is a result of leaving the OC spring in...

[GULFGLENY]

I have a center force clutch in my superbird, however the guy that had the car before me had it installed. But it works wonderfull.

[xs29j8Bullitt]

I have a center force clutch in my superbird, however the guy that had the car before me had it installed. But it works wonderfull.

Thanks for the input...    It was Ken's suggestion, and sounds like a good one!

[hemi68charger]

Ken and I have been discussing the use of a CenterForce clutch in the C500... requiring the removal of the clutch pedal over-center spring.  Anyone have experience/comments to share?

On the workshop re-org front... more progress was made!  See pics... 

Allen, I had a CenterForce clutch in my C500.... It was a GREAT clutch and felt great.. Great driveability characteristics.

[xs29j8Bullitt]

Ken and I have been discussing the use of a CenterForce clutch in the C500... requiring the removal of the clutch pedal over-center spring.  Anyone have experience/comments to share?

On the workshop re-org front... more progress was made!  See pics... 

Allen, I had a CenterForce clutch in my C500.... It was a GREAT clutch and felt great.. Great driveability characteristics.

Thanks Troy... I think a trend in opinions is developing... 

[pettybird]

I left the over center spring in place and use a Toyota return spring (found in the AutoZone HELP! section) underneath to tune the feel. 

If you powershift the car it sounds like it's going to crack in half...that thing hits HARD.

[Fred]

I just love that 68 Hemi Charger poster    

It's my favorite... bought mine on eBay, but is also available here:

http://www.automotive-art.com/product.asp?id=RM0004


...

Thanks for the info. I did just print out an A4 copy for my garage wall but now I'll  invest in the real deal.  

[hemigeno]

Allen, the taxicab/loaner has a Centerforce clutch assembly in it, which was installed about 10 years ago after I burned up a McLeod three-prong clutch while trying to load the car in an enclosed trailer after dark (and trying not to kill the guy helping me load the car in the process  )

The shop that installed the clutch didn't bother to remove the over-center spring, and I hated the way it felt -- not near enough pedal pressure required, and it didn't have the right "feel" when trying to feather the clutch pedal.  That's what I get for not doing the job myself.  Not knowing exactly what the problem was, I drove it that way for 6-7 years, and in the process managed to miss a few speed shifts when the clutch pedal didn't come up off the carpet (thankfully, no engine damage).  At first I thought that happened because of the crappy YearOne floor mats I was using at the time.  I hated that clutch so much that I intentionally abused it just hoping it would give up the ghost as easily as the McLeod did. 

A couple years back I had it up on the lift here at the shop, after (Fearless Leader) Troy and I went on a cruise at Carlisle.  I cracked open the inspection cover just to see how close it was to needing replace.  To my dismay, it looked almost new!  Troy and I had discussed the over-center spring at the time, so I thought I'd see how it felt with that spring removed.  Night and day difference...  Everything feels right, and as Doug says, it grabs hard.  I also know it's pretty tough, considering how well it's held up so far.

I'd give the Centerforce  , but ONLY if the O/C spring is removed.  I've never had any judges question the missing spring, so I wouldn't worry about not having it in place.

[xs29j8Bullitt]

Allen, the taxicab/loaner has a Centerforce clutch assembly in it, which was installed about 10 years ago after I burned up a McLeod three-prong clutch while trying to load the car in an enclosed trailer after dark (and trying not to kill the guy helping me load the car in the process  )

The shop that installed the clutch didn't bother to remove the over-center spring, and I hated the way it felt -- not near enough pedal pressure required, and it didn't have the right "feel" when trying to feather the clutch pedal.  That's what I get for not doing the job myself.  Not knowing exactly what the problem was, I drove it that way for 6-7 years, and in the process managed to miss a few speed shifts when the clutch pedal didn't come up off the carpet (thankfully, no engine damage).  At first I thought that happened because of the crappy YearOne floor mats I was using at the time.  I hated that clutch so much that I intentionally abused it just hoping it would give up the ghost as easily as the McLeod did. 

A couple years back I had it up on the lift here at the shop, after (Fearless Leader) Troy and I went on a cruise at Carlisle.  I cracked open the inspection cover just to see how close it was to needing replace.  To my dismay, it looked almost new!  Troy and I had discussed the over-center spring at the time, so I thought I'd see how it felt with that spring removed.  Night and day difference...  Everything feels right, and as Doug says, it grabs hard.  I also know it's pretty tough, considering how well it's held up so far.

I'd give the Centerforce  , but ONLY if the O/C spring is removed.  I've never had any judges question the missing spring, so I wouldn't worry about not having it in place.

Thanks for the input Gene, your car was one I remembered having had some issues.  Was the O/C spring still on the car when Dave drove it.  I remember it took 5-6 passes... errr, stop signs...  for him to really get the hang of taking off in it.

Sorry for the slow reply, I have been out in the workshop a LOT lately due to the mild weather.  Finally have a wide path cleared to remove two old car lifts that I bought many years ago, but never installed.  Getting them out of the way will allow the workshop re-organization to proceed more rapidly.Cleared the pile-o-parts next to the Daytona, then maneuvered the Six Pack Charger & Challenger T/A into that area to open up the exit path for the lifts...

The Dodge Mahal is starting to look less shabby, but still has a long ways to go.

[moparstuart]

Mopar heaven

[Davtona]

Thanks for the input Gene, your car was one I remembered having had some issues.  Was the O/C spring still on the car when Dave drove it.  I remember it took 5-6 passes... errr, stop signs...   for him to really get the hang of taking off in it.

What are you saying Allen Not sure I'm getting your point here.   I remember it kinda like   Well maybe not quite like that.  

[moparstuart]

Thanks for the input Gene, your car was one I remembered having had some issues.  Was the O/C spring still on the car when Dave drove it.  I remember it took 5-6 passes... errr, stop signs...   for him to really get the hang of taking off in it.

What are you saying Allen Not sure I'm getting your point here.   I remember it kinda like   Well maybe not quite like that.  

so did gene need a new set of rear tires when u guys were done with the taxi cab

[Davtona]

so did gene need a new set of rear tires when u guys were done with the taxi cab

Ya Right   No new tires needed after that cruise. I believe we refered to it as the drivers ed car when I had it. 

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Place looks awesome!!!

[hemigeno]

Thanks for the input Gene, your car was one I remembered having had some issues.  Was the O/C spring still on the car when Dave drove it.  I remember it took 5-6 passes... errr, stop signs...  for him to really get the hang of taking off in it.

The O/C spring was still installed when you guys cruised around, and it definitely took some adjustment to keep from killing it while taking off.  I think both Troy's and Dave's similar difficulties with that setup convinced me to take action... and trust me, Dave didn't do anything to it that hadn't been done before many times    

I was actually hoping he'd light 'em up a few times and get the itch to put one or two of his cars back on the road soon.  If my calc's are correct, he's owned a car with easy-access plugs twice as long as I have... not to mention the one(s) with the towel rack option.  (hint, hint    )


BTW, the shop's looking great!

[xs29j8Bullitt]

so did gene need a new set of rear tires when u guys were done with the taxi cab

Ya Right   No new tires needed after that cruise. I believe we refered to it as the drivers ed car when I had it. 

You are right about that Dave... just wanted to see what your reaction time would be...   

I thought you might point out that I never volunteered to drive, so I cannot be too critical of someone that stepped up to the plate when asked... Ya done good Dave! 

[xs29j8Bullitt]

Place looks awesome!!!

Thanks Chris....  Many more changes coming...  more shelving & lights under the mezzanine, pegboards & banners coming soon,

[xs29j8Bullitt]

Thanks for the input Gene, your car was one I remembered having had some issues.  Was the O/C spring still on the car when Dave drove it.  I remember it took 5-6 passes... errr, stop signs...  for him to really get the hang of taking off in it.

The O/C spring was still installed when you guys cruised around, and it definitely took some adjustment to keep from killing it while taking off.  I think both Troy's and Dave's similar difficulties with that setup convinced me to take action... and trust me, Dave didn't do anything to it that hadn't been done before many times    

I was actually hoping he'd light 'em up a few times and get the itch to put one or two of his cars back on the road soon.  If my calc's are correct, he's owned a car with easy-access plugs twice as long as I have... not to mention the one(s) with the towel rack option.  (hint, hint    )


BTW, the shop's looking great!

Well, at the very least you put a big-ol'-grin on Dave's face all weekend... and probably for months later too!

Thanks for the kind words about my shop Gene & Stuart...

[Steve P.]

Ok Allen, it's been a month.. What's new with the 500 and your (I WANT THAT), shop???