CLUTCHES! Ed Smith on Racing, Balancing, Modifying and How it Works!
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.พ. 2025
- In this fascinating video, Ed Smith, the legendary engine builder is re-working (the goal being re-balancing) the clutch from a friend's flathead Model A Ford.
Included: Clamping pressure, friction materials, modifications, measurements and veery importantly, balancing!
Whether you're a flathead Ford enthusiast, a budding engine builder, or simply appreciate a skilled craftsman, this video is a must-watch. Ed's passion for engines is evident in every detail, and his clear explanations will leave you with a deeper understanding of these iconic engines' inner workings.
Don't miss this rare opportunity to learn from one of the best in the business. Subscribe to Ed's this channel for more invaluable tips, tricks, and demonstrations from a true legend in the world of engine building.
Check out our other episodes where Ed Smith Explains some tool modifications and methods for changing valves, camshafts etc At Five Star Engines in Glendale AZ
#Flathead #sbc #edsmith
Various Playlists on the channel:
Ed Smith Five Star Engines
• Ed Smith Five Star Eng...
Alan Travis Brass Era
• Alan Travis Collection...
Flathead V-12 Series
• Flathead V12 Series - ...
Daimler Build Series
• Project: Daimler SP250...
1948 Buick Roadmaster Woodie Show Car
• 1948 Buick Roadmaster ...
Buick Classic Cars
• 1937 Buick Century Par...
1938 Zephyr Restoration Series
• 1938 Zephyr Part 1 - W...
Arizona Classic Car Culture
• 1939 Lincoln Zephyr V-...
Zephyr Classic Cars
• 1939 Lincoln Zephyr V-...
1939 Zephyr Coupe Project
• 39 Zephyr Project Part...
Buick Classic Cars
• 1937 Buick Century Par...
1938 Zephyr Restoration Series
• 1938 Zephyr Part 1 - W...
#edsmith #engine #dragracing
You can learn so much from this guy!!!
👍👍🙏
I used to drill the side edge of the throwout bearing to install a grease fitting.
I’ll ask Ed or mention your thought… 👍
I could watch this guy talk about flathead and car stuff all day. Even though I understand how clutches work and have worked on hundreds of engines myself and own an old flathead truck, Ed is an absolute treasure.
I appreciate that! I stop by to see Ed every time I get a chance and it’s my privilege to share some of that experience with you all. 👍👍
@@BarryTsGarage You're welcome, and keep that content coming because its fantastic! And people like Ed are wilting fast in the scorching sunlight of the modern car "tuning" scene and its throw-away for the next shiny thing culture. This is real tuning. Worth preserving!
Yep... Ed remembers those Clutchflights ! I still use a 727 based clutchflight at the dragstrip. [ Fairbanks trans ]. The flywheel is very heavy and needs to be balanced perfectly ! Definitely not a 'street ' type trans .
You gotta watch out tho... too much traction and you can destroy parts very easily and quick !
Great comment! Thanks
How would I change my flathead flywheel to a bigger clutch. Ed is a great guy to share all his thoughts and knowledge.thank you . Sincerely Dwayne
Does your flathead have a cast-in bell housing? (Pre-1949)
@@BarryTsGarage yes it is a 1939
That’s pretty tough, my understanding from Ed is that practically speaking it’s best to just upgrade to a 49 to 53 block which can accept a much wider variety of flywheels, clutches, and transmissions…
What a wealth of knowledge and history. Always enjoy your talks with Ed!
Great!! Thanks for the note!
Nice, clutches, there’s a subject that doesn’t come up very often these days. I think it’s been suggested that guys should hang on to their old clutch components, especially if they own something a bit unusual, you don’t want to be unable to drive for want of a clutch.
Hi Barry I found this video very informative my big takeaway was the spring between the clutch plates.
But that clutch flywheel and pressure plate looks exactly like the clutch flywheel and pressure plate from my 1950 Ford 8N tractor it was a 4 cylinder 119 cid and a lot of guys have replaced the 4 cylinder with the V8 and apparently it wasn’t that hard to do a I have even seen videos of a flathead 12 cylinder Mercury engine! But I had to kinda laugh at myself Ed was talking about balancing the clutch flywheel and pressure plate well I had my Ford tractor and I tried starting it and it made a grinding noise and the engine turned over here and there so I said to my nephew you see and hear that the starter is dragging so I got it rebuilt and it costs me $200 well it didn’t solve my problem so upon further investigation I found that the ring gear was spinning on the flywheel when I was trying to start it well this is the part where Ed would have given me a F Grade but I welded the ring gear to the flywheel at 12-3-6-9 o’clock and I tried to keep my beeds the same length and depth and width but like Ed said sometimes you are at the mercy of time and funds but the 8N Ford tractor would probably only rev up to 2200 rpm and rarely at that!
😀🇨🇦
GREAT comment, Keith! You should be very satisfied that you got that starter gear functioning again on that flywheel!
Also, I believe Ford did use as many shared parts on their tractor as they could. Some funky v8 (maybe v-12?) customized tractors out there…
Ed is the stellar example of an automotive /machinery encyclopedia. His mention here of the "clutch flight" automatics bought back memories of a few drag racers and their cars way back when. I enjoy everything Ed shares he shares. Awesome content !
I agree! Thank you for your support of the channel 🙏👍
I was considering buying a new clutch but after listening to Ed I would like to take a closer look at the clutch I have. I believe a similar clutch was used way up into the 70s.
Barry thanks for sharing Ed with us again I can’t get enough of this guys knowledge.. I hope he knows how much we appreciate him sharing with us.
It’s my pleasure - it’s a treat when Ed makes some time to hang out and enlighten me (us) 😀
I vividly remember my Dad repairing the clutch on his Mopar three on the tree.Frustrating today that is so difficult to find any manual transmission vehicle.I have kept my 2003 in great condition.I believe both my father and Ed would be proud
I sure do love to hear anything that Mr. Ed has to say. He is a wealth of knowledge. Thanks for having him on your program!
I appreciate your feedback! We will do some more 🙏
I've been a diesel mechanic for over 30 years. I remembered when the (easy pedal) clutch came out, it was a very heavy and double the spring unit. But wow what a difference when you needed to hold the clutch in like you mentioned. You could hold it forever and never got a cramp, it truly was a easy pedal. Great video, alot of people dont understand how those work, but you guy's did a awesome job explaining it. Keep up the great work.
Thank you. I’ll pass that on to Ed 🙏👍
Great detail and explanation! Thank you Ed!
Thanks I’ll pass that on to him
Is the clutch flight system similar to the torque flight trannys?
I’m gonna ask Ed to explain the differences, I’m not gonna try, but I suspect it’s a similar transmission, but one has a torque converter versus the other having a clutch…
The Man Ed is SMOOTH !!!'!!
I agree
Wonderful, thanks.
Thank you too!
ITS THAT YOUNG MAN AGAIN . TELL US ABOUT CLUTCH. VEREY INTERESTING.
Thank you 🙏
Smart man
I had to fix few mercedes engines which had been converted to manual trans . None were balanced and they vibrated like crazy because the flywheels werent match balaned to the old style Mercedes trans coupler . Two of them flogged out the nain bearings . On one the block crank bore was opened up ,destroying the block and crank.😢😢😮
That’s horrible! When Ed explained this, I suddenly understood important this balancing work is!