L78 Flywheel & Clutch Kit...What do you use?

[Chevelle SS 396 L78]

I'm building a 1967 L78 engine (mostly date coded) as close to stock as I can make it, but it will include some newer parts. This will go into a 1967 Chevelle SS 396.

I'm at a point where I want to buy the flywheel and clutch kit.

What do you guys recommend?

Thanks,

John

[Chuck_Burg]

I used a McCleod iron flywheel and Clutch kit on my 67 L78. My date coded original flywheel was cracked... I bought my parts from Summit. Very happy with the clutch feel and operation. Part numbers below for the parts I used. My engine is built to stock L78 specs.

MCL-75124
MCL-450130

[Chevelle SS 396 L78]

I used a McCleod iron flywheel and Clutch kit on my 67 L78. My date coded original flywheel was cracked... I bought my parts from Summit. Very happy with the clutch feel and operation. Part numbers below for the parts I used. My engine is built to stock L78 specs.

MCL-75124
MCL-450130


Thank you Chuck. I looked at those parts, and I definitely like the prices! I was thinking of going with Hays billet steel flywheel and the Hays centerforce dual friction clutch setup, but that's getting real pricey!

Was the original GM flywheel on your L78 steel or nodular iron? Whatever was stock spec in the L78 is fine with me, as my original L78 Chevelle was perfect...never had any issues and I raced it on occasion.

This car won't be raced, but I want it to be the real deal engine-wise! I am estimating, with headers to be in the 450HP+ range.

[Big Block Bill]

I'm building a 1967 L78 engine (mostly date coded) as close to stock as I can make it, but it will include some newer parts. This will go into a 1967 Chevelle SS 396.

I'm at a point where I want to buy the flywheel and clutch kit.

What do you guys recommend?

Thanks,

John

I never had an issue with LUK, Quality Stuff and priced right!

Bill

[Chuck_Burg]

My original flywheel was iron. I have no way of knowing if it was "original" to the car but it was date coded correct so I will ASSUME it was the original flywheel. Anyways it's probably been melted down and turned into a Corolla by now..

I have a LUK in my small block, they're popular with German cars. I've had good luck as well.

I have McCleod in my 396 and 496. Work GREAT! I chose McCleod because the clutches are made in USA, however the iron flywheel could be offshore :(

I have no experience with Centerforce.

[Big Block Bill]

I'm building a 1967 L78 engine (mostly date coded) as close to stock as I can make it, but it will include some newer parts. This will go into a 1967 Chevelle SS 396.

I'm at a point where I want to buy the flywheel and clutch kit.

What do you guys recommend?

Thanks,

John

I never had an issue with LUK, Quality Stuff and priced right!

Bill

[napa68]

I've used Centerforce before without any issue (I had the last one laying around from another project). Otherwise, I've been using Luk with good results and it's priced much lower than any of the so called performance brands.

Tim

[Chevelle SS 396 L78]

I've used Centerforce before without any issue (I had the last one laying around from another project). Otherwise, I've been using Luk with good results and it's priced much lower than any of the so called performance brands.

Tim

Thanks Tim,

I'm leaning toward the less expensive end of these parts, as I'm just too old school maybe, but paying upwards of $900+ for a flywheel and clutch kit is a bit hard to swallow!

John

[iroc343]

If your planning on any high rpm exhibitions, I'd strongly recommend going with a steel flywheel no matter which clutch you choose. Safety first.

[DW31S]

I’d say you need to decide on what your ideas are as far as “spirited” driving and how often you want to go inside the bellhousing. I had a bad experience with Centerforce products and can’t say enough good about McLeod. I lean on my stuff pretty hard and will offer any info if you’re interested. Don’t base your decision solely on price; I doubt you did on anything else related to your car.

[Chevelle SS 396 L78]

Ok, here is where I'm at right now. Hays 10-130 Billet Steel Flywheel with a McLeod Racing 75224 Super StreetPro Clutch. From Summit cost = $393.95 + $325.00 = $718.95. Horsepower limit on the clutch is 500hp which is fine for me with a stock L78 with Headers. I'm just not sure about the flywheel. I don't suppose any flywheels are USA made anymore? I assume all 168 tooth flywheels are 14" diameter correct? The specs don't say.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hay-10-130


https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mcl-75224


What do you guys think about this set-up?

[oldstv]

I too a bad experience with Centerforce, well 2 of them. The pucks simply came off and not under hard acceleration either time. It was a 350 hp 396, and they did nothing to help me with it.

[Chevelle SS 396 L78]

I appreciate all of the responses and recommendations. I suppose this thread would have received more responses if I had posted in the general forum. But, anyway after much thought and research I have come up with the following Flywheel & Clutch combination for my build:

1. Research: Looking at original GM specifications for flywheels and clutches for 1967, I found the following;

Flywheel Material: Cast Iron
Flywheel Specs: 14-inch dia., 168 Teeth, bronze pilot bearing

Clutch Data (Manual Trans.): Chevrolet single dry disc centrifugal, Diaphragm, bent finger design, Total spring load(lbs)=2450-2750, Number of clutch driven discs=One, Material=Premium grade woven asbestos, Outside & inside dia.=11.0 in. & 6.5 in., Total effective area (sq. in.)=123.70, Thickness=.1400 each, Engagement cushioning method=Flat spring steel between facings, Release bearing type & method of lubrication= Single row ball, packed and sealed, Torsional damping Methods: springs, friction material= Coil springs

Clutch Housing Material: Aluminum Alloy

2. My tentative choices (revised) for my 1967 L78 build:

RAM Billet Steel Flywheel ($259.00);

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/ram-1501

ARP High Performance Series Flywheel Bolts ($10.99):

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/arp-100-2801

LuK Clutch Kit 04-049 ($106.99):

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/luk-04-049

ARP High Performance Series Pressure Plate Bolt Kit ($13.99):

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/arp-130-2201

Other than the good advice I have received (and much of it I agree with), all I have to go on is my memories of what my 1967 Chevelle SS 396 L78 clutch felt like back in the day. I remember it being very smooth, it revved to the MOON with ease, I drag raced it (not at a track) and I never EVER had one issue with the clutch! It was not hard to press the clutch pedal and with the M20 Muncie transmission it was just very quick and easy to drive. Road trips were even enjoyable although I did have a 4.10 positraction rear end.....it didn't matter to me back then...today, well I'm a wee bit older, so I won't be taking any major trips like that anymore! Ha! I ran slicks at times too, and not once did I ever experience any clutch slip or anything. That being said, I was basically fairly "easy" on my car...I knew it was fast, I wasn't a show off and nobody did burnouts back then...I still never do...that ain't my thing!

I just wanted to find the specifications on what my original L78 had in the flywheel & clutch department, and this information was almost impossible to find anywhere. The GM specifications I did locate in my GM Manuals was a great help, but I still have not located the part numbers for those parts back in the day.

I have no doubt my flywheel & clutch selection will do the job just fine for my use, being just a clone of my old car to take to car shows primarily. If I have any issues, changing the flywheel or clutch is a rather simple thing to do compared to many other projects. So no worries!

Again, Thanks for your comments and suggestions. Feel free to let me know your thoughts on my decision.

Thanks,

John