NoVa Cobra clutch

[NoVA Cobra]

Soooo...my clutch finally gave out this weekend. It's been going bad for some time, but it grenaded fairly quickly to full stop on a 20mi drive Sat AM - had to flatbed it back to home base. Just got it all apart - and clutch looks fairly good - as does the flywheel. It's the throw-out bearing that collapsed. Though the fingers are shot so I'll need a new clutch anyway. And since it's apart, I want to get a rebuild on the tranny and resurface the flywheel. So who here likes to do their own work - and can recommend any locals to do the rebuild and resurfacing? It's a 2003 TR3550-TKO. Thanks!

[KarlzEE Bebout]

Hi John, I've had B&B Machine do a few flywheels for me and have been very satisfied with their quality of work, quick turn around and price. They are on Broadway in Mesa. When my initial throw out bearing bit the dust, I replaced it with one that has a grease fitting so it can get the occasional shot of grease. I did have to drill a 1" hole in the scatter shield to be able to get to the fitting. I use an expandable rubber freeze plug to keep crap away from the clutch. Just my 2¢.

[Bob Broberg SPF667 460BB]

Had https://dnmauto.com/ install new clutch https://www.mcleodracing.com/rst/p31 in both hot rods, 650 & 700hp. Kit includes flywheel plus 1 needed throw out bearing.
Good job, on time. Feels great. Not cheap.
SPF has TKO 500 GT500 has T6060.

AZ Bob

[KarlzEE Bebout]

"Not Cheap" is an understatement.

[Danr55]

PRK Auto in Mesa did the work on my car when the transmission blew up. They do really good work are on time and Randi is always ready to pass along information and answer questions.

[KarlzEE Bebout]

John, do you have the car running again? Looks like you had to pull the transmission up through the tunnel. That's the way I did mine and I thought it actually made it pretty slick.
R U ready for a run?

[NoVA Cobra]

Originally Posted by KarlzEE Bebout

John, do you have the car running again? Looks like you had to pull the transmission up through the tunnel. That's the way I did mine and I thought it actually made it pretty slick.
R U ready for a run?

Yep - I don't know why there's always a debate about either pulling tranny thru interior, or dropping after cutting x-member. It's not difficult at all to take out the seats and tunnel - a couple hours and the tranny was out. Cutting the x-member is highly discouraged by SPF... https://superformance.org/scof_tech_...terations.html

Not ready yet - still a work in progress. Waiting on new pressure plate, disc and pilot bushing. I have new TO bearing and installed new pedal that I broke trying to work the clutch when the TO failed. I punted on resurfacing the flywheel and rebuilding the tranny in the interest of time. And neither were bad anyway. I should get it all back together by next weekend. Tho I also want to replace my tie rod ends and ball joints after that. Front end needs some tightening up.

[Bob Broberg SPF667 460BB]

First, my clutch, flywheel, etc was all changed under the car, second for John, Performance Unlimited, Cobra Valley has ALL upgrade parts you need. Cobra Valley Parts & Accessories for Ford 427 Shelby Cobra, AC Cobra, Superformance, FFR, ERA, Unique, Contemporary and more Such as: Cobra Valley's R/T Super High Performance Ball Joints. Have not needed ball joints or sway bar ungrade kit but I'm told they are GREAT and will use in the future if needed.

AZ Bob

[KarlzEE Bebout]

John, there's a really good alignment shop on East McDowell (I think) in Phoenix that has done a lot of Cobras. They know what and how without needing to punch the car into a computer. I'm sure someone will come up with the name. I haven't needed them in many years, and I've slept since then.

[Bob Broberg SPF667 460BB]

Network Alignment & Brakes I've been to only the Cave Creek Shop with the Cobra.

AZ Bob

[KarlzEE Bebout]

ah ha! Found it
Jack's Alignment
2902 East Thomas

[NoVA Cobra]

So the bell was a mess - totally caked and baked on crap. Cleaned it up and painted black. New disc and pressure plate installed. Tranny and driveshaft back in. Also replaced all sway bar bushings since it was up. Replace tunnel and seats tomorrow. Hope to get new ball joints and tie rod bushings in next.

[NoVA Cobra]

Good time to clean out interior. Quaint to think bell was painted black before...

[KarlzEE Bebout]

It's all so disgustingly clean!

What type of T/O bearing did you use?

[NoVA Cobra]

Originally Posted by KarlzEE Bebout

It's all so disgustingly clean!

What type of T/O bearing did you use?

Permanently sealed. Don't want a repeat. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/ram-485

[patrickt]

You know a lot of us remove the little weights on CF pressure plates. It tend to hamper high speed shifts more than it helps.

[NoVA Cobra]

Success. All back together and like new again. I sorely needed this fixed. That bearing had been going bad for some time. I couldn't tell that was the issue. Glad that's done with. Ball joints and tie rod ends next.

[NoVA Cobra]

Originally Posted by patrickt

You know a lot of us remove the little weights on CF pressure plates. It tend to hamper high speed shifts more than it helps.

So now you tell me.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by NoVA Cobra

So now you tell me.

Yes, I'm sorry about that. Here is the write up from Chuck Brandt on his experience with the weights. https://www.chuckbrandt.com/living.htm I remember talking with him about it (almost 17 years ago). Scoot down to his September 16th, 2005 entry and you can read about it. Sorry I didn't flag it sooner but at least you know what to look for.

[NoVA Cobra]

Originally Posted by Bob Broberg SPF667 460BB

First, my clutch, flywheel, etc was all changed under the car, second for John, Performance Unlimited, Cobra Valley has ALL upgrade parts you need. Cobra Valley Parts & Accessories for Ford 427 Shelby Cobra, AC Cobra, Superformance, FFR, ERA, Unique, Contemporary and more Such as: Cobra Valley's R/T Super High Performance Ball Joints. Have not needed ball joints or sway bar ungrade kit but I'm told they are GREAT and will use in the future if needed.

AZ Bob

Actually got the sway bar and end link bushings from them. Didn't get the upgraded ball joints - maybe next time. Just got SPF replacement parts.