Re: Clutchy goodness

["Dean W. Cains" <dwc@xxxxxx>]

Hi Ben:

I'm in Florida, so I can't recommend a shop in your area, but I can 
recommend what type of clutch to install, or not to.  Buy an OEM Sachs from 
the vendor of your choice.  Bruce's, Spruell, and perhaps others, sell all 
three pieces for ~$180.  Don't buy an "OEM-quality" Italian-made clutch 
from IAP or anyone else that may offer them.  I've got two Spider's, one 
with a Sachs, and the other with an IAP clutch, and every time I drive the 
IAP-equipped Spider, I'm reminded of my error in buying the IAP 
parts.  Short story is that I was told it was an OEM part when I ordered 
it, and was too pressed for time to send it back, so I kept it.  Compared 
to the Sachs, it grips slowly on take-off, it only grips at the very top of 
the pedal's travel, and the pedal can be depressed with almost no 
force.  Maybe it's just a very weak pressure plate?  I've had Alfa's since 
the late 70's and never felt a clutch like the IAP.

Pulling the gearbox from a Spider isn't too big a deal, if you're feeling 
adventurous and maybe have help from someone who has previous 
experience.  If you're paying a shop, and want to save a few $, maybe you'd 
be able to remove the interior pieces, like the center console, and save an 
hour's labor.  Along with the actual clutch pieces, you might also need the 
2 rubber shift boots, and the hydraulics might be close to replacement 
time, too.  I wouldn't drive the car very long with the slipping 
clutch.  You can easily damage the flywheel, and might find that the clutch 
won't grip at all, if you overheat it too much.

Regards,

Dean
Lutz, FL
'74 & '87 Spider Veloce's


At 05:53 PM 6/7/2003, you wrote:

> Date: Sat, 7 Jun 2003 09:43:13 -0700
> From: Benjamin Kaupp <bkaupp@domain.elided>
> Subject: Clutchy goodness
>
> Well, I finally got to drive the Intestine briefly (parents needed to
> borrow my punishmentmobile) and it seems that my clutch is getting to
> be more slipperier than a politician. So my questions for you, gentle
> Alfisti are as follows -
> 1) sachs, OEM, or ? - is there really any difference, recommendations,
> etc.
> 2) I dunno if  I want this to be my introduction to Alfa mechanichood,
> so any recommendations of good Alfa gurus near Santa Cruz, CA?
> 3) how many arms and legs should I expect to pay for above? Saving up
> for this and all, y'know...
>
> Thanks in advance, and on a side note, y'all already have me in your
> clutches... I'm watching the classifieds for a Milano as a winter car :)
> - -Ben Kaupp
> '78 Spider (my friends call it the oooh yeah mobile)
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