348 - Sorting the clutch

I seem to be making a habit of wearing out clutches. Two years ago, 14 runs up the Prescott Hillclimb at the Ferrari picnic killed the clutch and it only just got me home. I didn't fancy spending a huge amount so I just replaced the plate for £100 and that kept the car going - until Silverstone GWR last month when a great burnout got the clutch slipping again. It had only done about 3000 miles so there had to be a more fundamental problem.

The problem was solved by Andrew Holman of Mad Dog Clutches. Andrew and I stripped down the clutch and found that both the clutch and flywheel surfaces were very bowed so that the plate was only catching on the outher edge. The answer was a complete new clutch and refurbed flywheel complete with newly packed Kluber grease. At the same time I had a new flywheel bearing although the old one seemed OK. The release bearing and triple seals were fine. Andrew suggested that I used a bonded clutch plate as it should be better for withstanding the abuse that I tend to give it - I just love the sound to the tubi on the rev limiter!

The 348 clutch is a very simple job - just remove the exhaust to get to the pumpkin - 8 bolts and its off. You can leave the rear wheels and bumper on.

The result is that the car is now back on the road with a first rate clutch that should last a lot longer than the last one. The long and short of it is that you must sort out the flywheel surface as well as the clutch unit. Mine had done 34,000 miles with some fairly hard use - burnouts create immense heat that will burn and bow the flywheel plate and that will dramatally shorten the life of a new plate as I have found out to my cost.

Andrew Holman at Mad Dog Clutches has done a great job at an excellent price. Find him on www.maddogclutches.co.uk. He also does an International mail order service.
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