Clutch/Flywheel Repairs and possible upgrades

meltmanbob

Member
Dec 18, 2002
392
0
17
san diego CA
i have a 1990 2.3 5sp hatch mustang
my clutch is slipping pretty bad to the point that if i park on even a slight hill in first gear it will slip about half a wheel turn every 3 seconds. also when i shift if i don't stay off the gas for at least 3-5 seconds after i've let the clutch back out, it will kind of free rev and sometimes on steep enough hills it just slips or anything above about 70mph.

i've been told napa clutch kits are good and i've read that the autozone stuff is good enough.

i'm not sure which parts i need to replace or what other things i should consider doing while doing this that would be easier now.

i would like to replace the clutch disc with one that has ceramic. i read that ceramic becomes more "sticky" as it heats up as compared to the stock ones which become more "slippery."

if any of the info that i've read or been told is incorrect please correct me.

i was reading about the escort flywheel swap which said it's about 5lbs less than my stock one and that it will bolt right up with the stock bolt patterns but i would have to use the bolts for the escort flywheel. this doesn't seem to be too expensive, about $50 and i'm pretty sure i'm gonna have to drop the tranny to deal with the clutch so this would take less time now than on it's own later to install. plus it supposedly frees up "10-12hp" which would be nice considering stock is 88 and i'm sure my car is even less now.

so should i get a clutch kit? which one?

does anyone know if the luk or duralast clutch kit clutch discs are ceramic?

so all in all i'm thinking i might just need a new disk, keep the current stock pressure plate, replace the throw out bearing with one from autozone or where ever, use a new stock replacement escort flywheel and bolts.

with a new flywheel i won't have to worry about balancing issues eating through clutch's all the time right?
 
  • Sponsors (?)


yea that was me. been busy working on the car etc. at this point i just really want to make sure that i've got my bases covered. i've done more reading since the last post and like i've been suggested i'll go with either napa or autozone stock replacement clutch kit.

the one thing i'm still unsure about is the flywheel. correct me if i'm wrong but if i wanted to use the escort flywheel all i would need extra is the shorter flywheel bolts and it should fit right in with everything else except i would need a longer (i think) or rather a different size bearing otherwise the escort FW appears to be the same size as the mustang one except its not as thick hence the need for a different bearing.

so do i pretty much have the right idea with the escort FW? do you guys think that it's worth spending the extra $65 for the FW and do it now since i have to replace the clutch? do you guys think the FW upgrade is worth it on it's own? lastly how much will the escort FW make a difference and how? thanks for all the help guys!
 
what i was asking was about the escort FW and how it will effect the mustang be it performance or otherwise. Its supposed to free up about "10-12" hp because of the lower rotating weight.

also i was asking if using the escort FW was as simple as exchanging one for the other with the exception being that you have to use the crank bolts(not sure if thats right) from the escort because the mustang ones are 3/8ths to long.

lastly i was asking if you guys think that buying a new escort FW and correct bolts ~$65 is worth doing considering i have to drop the tranny for the clutch so it doesn't seem like it would be a whole lot of extra work.
 
A couple years ago I put a Zoom Perfection clutch in my '87 2.3. Got it at Advance for just under $100 and it included a new clutch disc, pressure plate, throwout bearing, pilot bearing, and alignment tool. I've been really happy with it.

Got my flywheel turned at Pep Boys for $35. Unless you've got a really bad imbalance problem I'd just have your flywheel turned instead of spending more on a new one. I don't know anything about the Escort flywheel swap, but I can tell you it won't give you an extra 10-12 hp. All it will do is reduce the rotating inertia of your drivetrain, which might help the engine rev a little faster. If you go that route let us know how it works.