Thoughts on resurfacing a pressure plate - yay or nay?

[Righty Tighty]

Happy Easter, everyone. I don't remember how or where I acquired this pressure plate, but it was in this condition when I got it. It's been collecting dust on the shelf for a while, so I figure it's time to do something with it.

You can see it's been used, and there are a couple areas of surface rust from the clutch disk sitting on it. The overall feel when I run my fingers over it is like 600 or 800 grit, and there aren't any places I can catch a fingernail on.

My question is this: is it acceptable practice to resurface a plate like this, or should I chuck it in the scrap bin? Seems wasteful to throw it away, but if it's junk, it's junk.

Thanks as always!

 

[Scody21]

Junk it

 

[Professor Fate]

I've seen NOS stuff come out of the box looking worse than that.
"Resurfacing" can't be done properly without disassembly of the plate, and you don't want to go down that road.
For kicks and grins wipe it down with laquer thinner and a ScotchBrite pad, and see what you think. You've got nothing to lose.

 

[Righty Tighty]

I've seen NOS stuff come out of the box looking worse than that.
"Resurfacing" can't be done properly without disassembly of the plate, and you don't want to go down that road.
For kicks and grins wipe it down with laquer thinner and a ScotchBrite pad, and see what you think. You've got nothing to lose.

Thanks, obviously I'm not knowledgable in this arena. I wasn't sure if resurfacing (like brake rotors) was even a thing here. I imagine you'd need to get it on a lathe, correct?

I like the Scotch Brite suggestion. It's an otherwise nice McLeod unit, I'd hate to toss it if it can still be used.

 

[66Valiant528]

A 3 finger Borg and Beck or Long style can be disassembled, springs changed for different clamp loads, (based on friction material) and pressure plate face resurfaced. A diaphragm style is a throw away. This is my spare for my B body.

 

[413]

I'd clean it and run it. Scotch brite or sandpaper.

Whadda think they look like after sitting outside in PA or NE rust belt for a season without driving?

But its a diaphragm so I'd get over it to a Chevy guy!

 

[dadsbee]

Plate I bought in 1979, as I was putting it back in during restoration in 2017! Good McLeod BnB.

Runs like new... zero issues in my 69 Bee.

 

[66Valiant528]

Fewer and fewer clutch rebuilders around. And getting pieces like rivets and small parts are getting really hard to find. Most suppliers are now farming the manufacturing overseas so pieces aren't around.i had the pleasure of working at Boston Clutch Works on Tremont St. The clutch man was a Mopar guy and he still does this type of work. Put steel backed facings on my old disc. If anyone needs a plate or disc done PM me and I'll see if Steve can help you.

 

[HemiSSDart]

I had a buddy who worked for Quartermaster and he used to rebuild pressure plates all the time. Run them in my cars no issues...

 

[RustyRatRod]

I'd hit it in a circular pattern with a Roloc wheel and see what it looks like.

 

[Righty Tighty]

I appreciate all the input. I'm going to see how it cleans up and go from there. Like I said, the ugliness only seems to be superficial -- I'm barely able to feel it when I run a finger over it. I don't have an immediate need for it at the moment, I'd just hate to throw away something that's savable.

Not to get off track here, but are the diaphragm-style plates considered inferior simply because they're not rebuildable/adjustable? Or is there more to it?

 

[RustyRatRod]

I appreciate all the input. I'm going to see how it cleans up and go from there. Like I said, the ugliness only seems to be superficial -- I'm barely able to feel it when I run a finger over it. I don't have an immediate need for it at the moment, I'd just hate to throw away something that's savable.

Not to get off track here, but are the diaphragm-style plates considered inferior simply because they're not rebuildable/adjustable? Or is there more to it?

There's more to it. The B&B and Long style generally have more holding power. Plus, that's what came on over 90% of Mopars from the factory.

 

[Righty Tighty]

That's good information to learn, thank you.

 

[RustyRatRod]

That's good information to learn, thank you.

It's right in the factory service manual!

 

[Righty Tighty]

Sir, you are assuming I have READ the FSM...

 

[413]

I like the feel of the pedal and the holding power with a 3 finger. They just work so good, and the pedal doesn't stay on the floor when beatin on it.

 

[volaredon]

That's the kind of stuff I used to take to surge friction in South Holland IL I don't know if they still exist.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Sir, you are assuming I have READ the FSM...

Well.....yeah......

 

[67Dart273]

A 3 finger Borg and Beck or Long style can be disassembled, springs changed for different clamp loads, (based on friction material) and pressure plate face resurfaced. A diaphragm style is a throw away. This is my spare for my B body.

View attachment 1716395222

This and part of the reason is the tight tolerances. If you were to re-surface it, you would have to ship the spring, etc, and that is not a job for us "back yard" guys

On a side note, I ran my 340 swapped 440-6 Roadrunner with a ? 70's ? Corvette diaphragm and it worked great. Removed the over center spring.

 

[Killer6]

Sir, you are assuming I have READ the FSM...

I've seen (& done) clutch jobs where everything was 'done right' & they jumped, chattered, & banged like a Crackwhore at a Sockhop.....use a piece of gray 3M surface pad & WD40 & just make laps with it. Spray it with brake clean before You throw it together, if it was gonna work before, it'll work now.

 

[Righty Tighty]

Well.....yeah......

Don't get me wrong, I do own one for each of my cars and reference them often, I just haven't read them cover to cover. Maybe one day...

If you were to re-surface it, you would have to ship the spring, etc, and that is not a job for us "back yard" guys

That makes good sense, since it's not "floating" on springs like the 3 finger units that I assume (?) can be adjusted after resurfacing.

I've seen (& done) clutch jobs where everything was 'done right' & they jumped, chattered, & banged like a Crackwhore at a Sockhop.....use a piece of gray 3M surface pad & WD40 & just make laps with it. Spray it with brake clean before You throw it together, if it was gonna work before, it'll work now.

I'll be at the shop tomorrow and will see how it cleans up with some light passes.

 

[jeff alder]

They often look much worse than they are. You got the bolts out on the forklift hub this will be a cake walk for you!

 

[toolmanmike]

I like the feel of the pedal and the holding power with a 3 finger. They just work so good, and the pedal doesn't stay on the floor when beatin on it.

Oh they will.

 

[dadsbee]

As beat as my plate looks in post #7. The clean up was just two quick trips around it with that 120 grit flap disk.

 

[413]

I like the feel of the pedal and the holding power with a 3 finger. They just work so good, and the pedal doesn't stay on the floor when beatin on it.

Oh they will.

Ok when? I've been at it since 1989