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Thread: Clutch question
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Jeff20B
Moderator
Posts: 661
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posted February 08, 2002 07:39 AM |
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Clutch question
You know how our trucks use a 9 bolt flywheel/presure plate? Well, I dropped a used 225mm clutch disk from an RX-7 onto my '77 flywheel and placed the 9 bolt pressure plate on it which raised it a little from the flywheel's surface. This means the bolts have something to tighten into which will compress the disk as if it were a normal REPU disk. It looks to me like it might work. What is your guys' opinion on using an RX-7 disk in an REPU? Anyone ever tried it before?
I already know the smaller version of the RX-7 disk works. My friend got a standard duty RX-7 215mm disk to work in this very same '77 flywheel for about a year untill the lining seperated from the marcels due to heavy duty use (not even 15 hours after we installed a RB dellorto so you know he was driving it hard).
I have a very low mileage 215mm disk and pressure plate that I was either going to use in my REPU flywheel, or I was going to get a RB 215mm light steel flywheel and stick it on my Cosmo's engine (which already has a counter weight), or on my truck's engine (swap counter weights) to go into my MG Midget, but if the 225mm disk will work, I could buy a new one and use it (and keep the heavy stock flywheel on which ever engine was going into my truck).
A bit confusing, even for me, but these are some of the things I need to figure out before spending any money. Thanks.
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'74 REPU
'76 Cosmo
'77 MG Midget 13B
'81 RX-7
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Jeff20B
Moderator
Posts: 661
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posted February 12, 2002 07:24 AM |
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Hasn't anybody ever tried this swap?
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'74 REPU
'76 Cosmo
'77 MG Midget 13B
'81 RX-7
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repuguru
Redlining
Posts: 319
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posted February 12, 2002 08:56 PM |
 Edited By: repuguru on 12 Feb 2002 20:57 |
The last time I set up a REPU flywheel I used the stock issue 215mm DK clutch and pressure plate. I never had a problem.
I had a 17lb steel flywheel on for a while and used a RB street/strip set up. It wore quickly because of the slipping I do with the 77 gearing.
I have an rx4 flywheel on now with a clutch that a internet buddy I ordered this thing from said came made for some Commercial Van,Truck, or Bus over in Japan with a Rotary engine.
I think I saw a picture of some critter over there they said hauled like 30 passengers with a 13b under the drivers compartment, so his story seemed logical. It still looked like the same old DK clutch when it got here.
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Jeff20B
Moderator
Posts: 661
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posted February 13, 2002 11:24 AM |
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Very interesting! I've seen a few pics of that large rotary powered people mover. Probably the largest vehicle ever to have a 13B in it (from an auto manufacturer that is).
From what I can remember about my REPU disk the last time I had it out (to do a pilot bearing), it looked very similar to my used RX-7 225mm. Same style disk surface (tan colored and smooth with no surface pattern, unlike my 215mm with its black many 'pads' which, I think, populate both sides. I'll need to clean both disks up real good and sit down and stare at them for a while). The only difference I can think of at the moment is the REPU disk has 6 springs and the 225mm disk has 4. Even a 215mm Street/strip HD disk (my friend's) only had 4 springs. I've seen pics of the RB SS disks with 4 and 6 springs. Hmm, maybe the RB SS 225mm disks have 6 springs?
I've needed to slip my clutch a lot lately since I've been messing with carbs and intakes so much. Otherwise it'll want to die and and/or bog down real bad, even with 4.6 gears. Once I figure everything out I should be able to drive it like I used to.
You know what? My MG has a '79 rear end in it. This diff has a 3.7 ratio. You know what that means? Clutch slippin time! The previous engine was a '73 RX-2 engine with its stock heavy flywheel. I don't think I'll spend good money on a light steel flywheel on this car if it'll suck trying to take off from a stop.
It would be best if I could have all three disks out and compare them all to each other. Maybe in the coming months I'll be able to do that. I was just hoping that somebody might have already done this swap so I wouldn't have to worry.
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'74 REPU
'76 Cosmo
'77 MG Midget 13B
'81 RX-7
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repuguru
Redlining
Posts: 319
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posted February 15, 2002 05:09 AM |
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5 speed Auto
A friend of mine has this unique rotary tranny from Japan. Its is like a 5 speed that also work as an auto. I think VW had a unit like this working in some of the older Bugs.
You basically find a gear and leave it there. Of course different situations require different gearing but for the most part you keep your foot off the clutch. It also has a torque converter.
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Klaus43
Rotorhead
Posts: 1259
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posted February 15, 2002 11:06 PM |
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keep yer foot off the clutch???
An automatic with a clutch? So, gear selection simply determines the tall end, and the converter does the rest, eh? Sounds like THE trick REPU auto to me... could be just the thing for a 4x4 REPU, too... Too cool! Where can we get 'em, what'd they originally come in, how much are they, and do tyhey bolt up/ fit without chopping up the cab???
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repuguru
Redlining
Posts: 319
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posted February 16, 2002 06:53 AM |
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Your guess is as good as mine? That tranny probably traveled over hooked to a NBE motor back in the 80's.
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