madmaxx Max here is the short story about MY problem with CENTERFORCE. I installed a Gold unit to a new flywheel. Setup the air gap and installed a new Richmond trans 6 spd. I had to shorten the input shaft .380" for the FE motor I was running. I bled the clutch master and slave with a vacuum setup. No air was in the system. The clutch worked fine below 3,000 rpms. Over 3,000 rpms the trans wouldn't shift. If the rpms match the trans rpms it would slide up a gear or down a gear. At a stop I could shift the car into any gear when not rolling or rolling slow at 2-3 mph. I talked to 3 different guys about how this pressure plate works with the sliding weights. I have worked on 2 and 3 multi disc clutch setup in funny and rail cars back in the 70's. I do have a small idea on setup. I was told by the techs that the problem was the new trans. I sent the trans back to Richmond and explained the problem with the shifting. Trans was pulled apart no problems found with the forks, blocking rings, synros, or shifter assembly. The
oil was from Richmond. Cost for shipping both ways $300.00. No Charge for inspection. Reinstalled the trans, same problem over 3,000 rpms. Called Centerforce again, explained problem, They said it was the trans. I told them the report I got from Richmond said the trans was no the problem. I was going to race the car and the torque rating on the 6 spd trans is only 450 HP and torque. With my 452 motor I was at 450 of torque. I ordered a G-Force clutchless 5 spd for the car with a long shifter. I got the trans in 4 weeks. Installed the trans, same fricking problem. I am @#$%^&&%)&*& off at this time. I had a pro builder for race cars come over one night and look at the problem. The bell housing was .038" off. spent 3 hours getting it to .002-.003" square to the motor. Reinstalled the trans ( 5 spd) same problem at 3,000 rpms. Called Centerforce, got more crap from them. I was the ONLY ONE with this problem. I went on the internet and found many people with the same shifting issues. They all went to Other clutches to resolve the problem. I am pig headed and pulled the pressure plate again and REMOVED the sliding weights. Reinstalled the trans (5 spd), the trans shifted like butter to 6,000 rpms without and problem. Pulled the 5 spd and installed the 6spd Richmond and the same thing was happening, NO SHIFTING problem. I call Centerforce and told them about this, and they said no way. I told them I would never buy a piece of CR@P again from them and tell any one who would listen the same thing. There stock clutch plate is good for about 2,600 lbs of pressure. The 452 motor was fine without the weights, the 482 is slipping the clutch a little on fast WOT hits. Total cost to me for this problem was $6,500.00. I am going to a Mcleod clutch streettwin with next motor. Lite pedal and will hold 600 ft of torque. I have run Borg and Beck, Diaphams style, Schaffer, Zoom, and remans. and never went though this problem in 30 years. I have gotten e-mails that some guys are running them without any problems. I even welded a support bar to the clutch fork because I thought it was bending when the weights where adding pressure to the fingers and causing the locking up of the clutch. I found out the ERA runs Centerforce in some of there cars without the weights on the pressure plate. Guess I wasnot the only one with this problem. This the story. I have the bills to prove this too.
Any way the problem is fixed and the car runs good,That's all that matters in the end.
Rick L.