Clutch Advice, Reuse or Replace? Options

[mzapisek]

I have very low mile original 1.7 (30K). I recently installed a 4 post lift and have begun doing all the 50 year service updates (SS fuel lines, shift bushings, engine refresh etc.). I am certainly a novice mechanic at best. The information on this board most definitely helps close the knowledge gap and encourages me to self perform tasks I would otherwise be unsure of. While inspecting the flywheel, clutch and pressure plate they appear to be in very good condition (no grooves or obvious signs of wear) just some slight discoloration.

Should I reuse or replace? I did purchase a new rear main seal but I do not see any signs of a leak. From other info I have read on this board the newer seals are/maybe somewhat substandard. While I welcome the opportunity to fix everything I can while the engine is out and on the stand don’t want to perform unnecessary work or look for problems that don’t exist.

Would appreciate some advice.

Thanks.

[windforfun]

Why should you need a new clutch with only 30K miles on the car?

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif)

[wonkipop]

Why should you need a new clutch with only 30K miles on the car?

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif)

original clutches look like this.



rubber core clutches originally fitted at factory to 914s.

pulled one out of my car 3 years ago. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

doesn't mean car in question here is not a 30k mile car, clutch might have imploded due to age decades ago.
rubber perishes. but someone has been in there and done the clutch before.

@bbrock - re NOS original clutches. i wouldn't fit one (thats assuming you can even find one). rubber ages even sitting on a shelf. i can tell you what happens when you recommission the car after its been sitting for 16 years. clutch implodes immediately if its a real original one. was ok when i parked it up around 2004.

don't forget to do the rear main seal on the engine while its all out and accessible.
standard VW practice with a clutch. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[bbrock]

@bbrock - re NOS original clutches. i wouldn't fit one (thats assuming you can even find one). rubber ages even sitting on a shelf. i can tell you what happens when you recommission the car after its been sitting for 16 years. clutch implodes immediately if its a real original one. was ok when i parked it up around 2004.

Right. Rubber hardens with age so agree I wouldn't use a 50 year old rubber center clutch. But that isn't what we are looking at here. Original rubber center discs were replaced by 4-spring, and when they quit making those, people just used the 6-spring 911 clutch assembly as an "upgrade" much as the 19mm MC "upgrade" is about the only choice now. So here we are looking at a 6-spring clutch. What would go bad in long term storage other than rust?

The clutch I have on my car is the 914 4-spring package which I prefer over the heavier 911 package. It was purchased in the late 1980s. The flywheel was resurfaced at that time and the rotating assembly including the clutch was balanced. The short block was reassembled and then the engine with clutch installed was stored in sheds for 35 years while my restoration project hibernated. When I pulled the engine out of mothballs, the clutch disc had rusted slightly to the flywheel but I was able to separate them without damage and clean up the rust. Have been running that clutch for 7K and it works great.

Ignoring the old, old rubber centered clutch discs which most have probably disintegrated by now, I'm just saying the clutch assembly is steel and friction material, neither of which is going to deteriorate with age other than to rust, which is easy to determine on inspection. I'm clearly in the camp that says if the clutch measures well within spec, use it.

[wonkipop]

@bbrock - re NOS original clutches. i wouldn't fit one (thats assuming you can even find one). rubber ages even sitting on a shelf. i can tell you what happens when you recommission the car after its been sitting for 16 years. clutch implodes immediately if its a real original one. was ok when i parked it up around 2004.

Right. Rubber hardens with age so agree I wouldn't use a 50 year old rubber center clutch. But that isn't what we are looking at here. Original rubber center discs were replaced by 4-spring, and when they quit making those, people just used the 6-spring 911 clutch assembly as an "upgrade" much as the 19mm MC "upgrade" is about the only choice now. So here we are looking at a 6-spring clutch. What would go bad in long term storage other than rust?

The clutch I have on my car is the 914 4-spring package which I prefer over the heavier 911 package. It was purchased in the late 1980s. The flywheel was resurfaced at that time and the rotating assembly including the clutch was balanced. The short block was reassembled and then the engine with clutch installed was stored in sheds for 35 years while my restoration project hibernated. When I pulled the engine out of mothballs, the clutch disc had rusted slightly to the flywheel but I was able to separate them without damage and clean up the rust. Have been running that clutch for 7K and it works great.

Ignoring the old, old rubber centered clutch discs which most have probably disintegrated by now, I'm just saying the clutch assembly is steel and friction material, neither of which is going to deteriorate with age other than to rust, which is easy to determine on inspection. I'm clearly in the camp that says if the clutch measures well within spec, use it.

mostly i was addressing the idea by another poster that a 30K mile car would not need a clutch. when of course it probably would if it was a real original low mile car.

yeah i with you on reusing clutches or keeping the old one in if its fine.

the OP's photos of his flywheel and clutch look pretty good to me.
i'd put them back in.
doesn't sound like he is out there doing burnouts.

i'd still do the rear main seal. may as well. its not hard to do if its all apart.
basically they go with age and also with lack of use.
murphy's law says you put it back together and what will happen......it will fail.
then you curse yourself you did not do it while you were in there. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)