re: Clutchy goodness

["Giller,Bruce C." <bgiller@xxxxxxxxx>]

	And to be cheaper still, you can just replace the driven disc and
throwout bearing and retain the pressure plate which seldom goes bad. 
The fingers might wear out requiring it to be replaced.  And I'm with
Dean on getting only a Sachs unit - well worth the extra bucks.
And you should have the flywheel resurfaced at the same time as the new
clutch is put in.
	

	Bruce

	'73 GTV
	'86 Spider

> 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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