| Author | Message | ||
| '75 308 GT4 (Peter)
|
Good point Steve M. I attributed my now light effort to the 328 clutch, but since I've lubed up all of the points you mentioned, that could've made the difference as well. Cable pulley (mounted on frame tube, mine was packed with crud, it could hardly turn):  | ||
| Steve Magnusson (91tr)
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Just wanted to add the comment that (even though it's not unfair to call the early 308 clutches "heavy") other things can contribute too: Is the small wheel for the clutch cable in the engine compartment rotating freely? Are the journal bearings (supporting the shaft that actually rotates to move the throw-out bearing carrier) inside the bell housing gummed up with 25 year-old grease + clutch disc dust? -- the throw-out bearing carrier itself also slides on a (fixed) shaft that can get gummed up with old grease/dust. When was the last time all the little clevis pin joints (on the pedal side and at the engine side) were lubricated? Just some reasons why seemingly identical cars will have different clutch pedal effort... | ||
| Steve (Steve)
|
Jeff I have a 77 GTB also and compared to some of my earlier corvette's I don't think the clutch is to heavy at all. I've got 42k on the orig. clutch and pressure plate and it appears to still have a lot left. Granted I don't drive 2-3 hours in heavy traffic but the 50miles a day I use it doesn't cause to many problems. I'll watch the discussions here to see how the different options come up. Steve | ||
| Jeff K (Jbk)
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I have a 77 308GTB and also am annoyed at the stiff clutch. I did the first part of the mod described in the Forza article and it did help. This involved moving the attachment point of the pedal spring from being a return spring to a helper spring. Seems to have reduced the effort by 10-15%. Noticeable, but still not what I would like. I'm going to try changing the linkage over the winter if I can find the part (probably have to order it from F). | ||
| magoo (Magoo)
|
Some may take exception to this but maybe the springs in the Q.V. pressure plates are not as strong, purposely designed because of customer complaint, and maybe the clutches wear out quicker. Can we chinese this on clutch replacements and come up with some kind of comparisions? Probably very hard to do since driving habits vary. | ||
| david handa (Davehanda)
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According to the article by Tony Pallidino, some folks have had Daytona clutches (Pressure plates?) installed which can greatly increase pedal pressure. This might explain a QV having a lot of effort. | ||
| BretM (Bretm)
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If it's that heavy you I could definitely understand wanting to switch. I had heard it was (from a site about Magnum, p.i. actually) but never was able to test it myself. The QV clutch isn't that heavy until you use it for like 2 hours sitting in traffic. I think it's the perfect weight. | ||
| Greg Rodgers (Joechristmas)
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There is a large difference between my 78' clutch and a QV clutch. I just test an 83' QV and the clutch felt like a hydraulic clutch it was so, easy. | ||
| '75 308 GT4 (Peter)
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I installed a 328 clutch in my car Bret and it definitely is lighter than the previous 308 clutch. | ||
| david handa (Davehanda)
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BTW, it's shop talk #25 | ||
| david handa (Davehanda)
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Found it! try www.modena-motors.com/index.html | ||
| david handa (Davehanda)
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I can't remember the issue of Forza either, but you might check some of the online sources. I think the writer (Tony Pallidino) has a website with all his columns posted. The mod looked pretty involved, but he included a parts list. My 78 308 GTS has a clutch not unlike a truck, but I intend to have the mod done when my clutch wears out (32,000 miles so far, so good). | ||
| BretM (Bretm)
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I've heard that the earlier cars had a tougher clutch on them (harder to push down the pedal) than the QVs. My QV has a damn hard clutch, much heavier than any other Ferrari I've been able to drive (haven't driven an earlier 308) so it makes me wonder how much harder a carb car could be. Just my random thoughts on the subject, not saying its not worth changing over if you can. | ||
| '75 308 GT4 (Peter)
|
I can't remember which issue of Forza had this, but they had in the "Shop Talk" section the different clutch helper-spring arms avaliable for the 308's. I'll have to dig through... Mine looks like this:  I like the action and weight of my clutch pedal with this set-up (bellhousing specific to the GT4's). | ||
| Greg Rodgers (Joechristmas)
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How can the 78' 308 Clutch be set up like a QV. I know that the angle geometery was changed on the pedal/linkage but can it be changed to this on a 78' 308? How difficult is it to do? Thanks. |