ZF5 Single or Dual Mass Flywheel?

stick_witch

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Hey guys, so i’ve been digging through the files on this truck I bought back in August and it looks like the previous owner put in an O’reilly single mass flywheel and clutch kit, part #k1989-1sk. Did some digging and I guess these things came stock with a dual mass flywheel, which makes sense because of all the vibration.This also explains the horrendous gear rollover noise Im getting when I’m lugging in the low rpms (<1200rpm), which I’m guessing is kinda standard when converting these from dual to single, correct?
Anyway, also found a lot of debate as to which is better on other forums, wondering what you guys think? Are the dual mass clutches THAT bad?? Clutch is of course newly replaced, so i won’t be replacing the flywheel anytime soon, but when I do I’m kinda leaning towards converting it back to dual mass, if it can be done. Thoughts??


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lotzagoodstuff

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I've had both DMF and SMF in my old red and white truck. IMHO, the rollover noise is a small nuisance. Having a DMF come apart can lunch the transmission.

Get your truck timed right, and turn up the idle a little bit and the rollover noise will quiet substantially. I would never go back to a DMF.

Just my .02
 

stick_witch

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Or maybe just stick with the smf? And how long does the zf5 usually take the vibration and abuse? Can bigger smf’s help? How large can you reasonably go? Any kits in particular?


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stick_witch

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I've had both DMF and SMF in my old red and white truck. IMHO, the rollover noise is a small nuisance. Having a DMF come apart can lunch the transmission.

Get your truck timed right, and turn up the idle a little bit and the rollover noise will quiet substantially. I would never go back to a DMF.

Just my .02
Yeah, the roll over doesn’t bother me that much now that I know why it’s doing it. Before today I didn’t know what was in it.

And yeah, it seems that either way you go the tranny is vulnerable. But the catastrophic failure of a dmf doesn’t sound fun at all...


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jrollf

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Can you even find a DMF anymore? I couldn't find one for my 93 IDIT. I personally would go back to a dmf in a heart beat, I miss how much smoother and quiter it was.

1993 F350 Crew Cab Dually
7.3L IDIT with a Banks Sidewinder
ZF 5-spd manual transmission
 

stick_witch

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Can you even find a DMF anymore? I couldn't find one for my 93 IDIT. I personally would go back to a dmf in a heart beat, I miss how much smoother and quiter it was.

1993 F350 Crew Cab Dually
7.3L IDIT with a Banks Sidewinder
ZF 5-spd manual transmission
Yeah, now that I’m looking, doesn’t appear that theres all that many options for dmf’s out there... O’Reilly “says” they have one that fits, part #DMF167330, but it’s like $800... so perhaps a smf is the way to go


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jrollf

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If you have a factory turbo engine, rockauto sells a dual mass flywheel.
I swear they didn't have this one when I replaced my clutch and flywheel a year ago... that or I was blind and missed it.

I'm going to save my pennies now!

1993 F350 Crew Cab Dually
7.3L IDIT with a Banks Sidewinder
ZF 5-spd manual transmission
 

Philip1

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They tend to rotate their stock. Earlier this year the idit version wasn't available but the na one was now its reversed
 

jrollf

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Yeah, now that I’m looking, doesn’t appear that theres all that many options for dmf’s out there... O’Reilly “says” they have one that fits, part #DMF167330, but it’s like $800... so perhaps a smf is the way to go


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Truth be told, I believe the majority of people went with SMF because the DMFs have always been expensive.

I had 215k miles on my DMF when it was replaced, but I'm pretty easy on my clutches, I try not to be abuse them.

1993 F350 Crew Cab Dually
7.3L IDIT with a Banks Sidewinder
ZF 5-spd manual transmission
 

stick_witch

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Truth be told, I believe the majority of people went with SMF because the DMFs have always been expensive.

I had 215k miles on my DMF when it was replaced, but I'm pretty easy on my clutches, I try not to be abuse them.

1993 F350 Crew Cab Dually
7.3L IDIT with a Banks Sidewinder
ZF 5-spd manual transmission
Interesting, because the conversation used to be different, had to buy a SMF conversion kit which made it a more expensive solution, right? I guess that has changed??
So if everyones running SMFs, how are your ZF5s holding up to the extra vibrations? I’d really hate to do in a nice transmission because of some gear rattle. Or is it not that big of a concern? Any good ways to mitigate it?


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papadiesel

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If you do any towing at all, avoid the DMF like the plague. They dont just implode, they will suddenly slip with no warning. I have known owners who drive with no load go many miles with no issues and several towing intermittent loads not last 10,000 miles (moderate load). LUK clutch packs are probably the best aftermarket for our rigs. There clutch springs can handle the shock. (at the disk)..Five finger metallic is the optimal, but spendly! Have put several in several rigs over the years, 6.9, 7.3 and powerstroke.
 

1983idi

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When I converted to a ZF5 I ran it with the DMF for a while but at the advice of this board changed to a SMF (LUK Brand) It has held up well. Unless I'm running slow in 1st or 2nd I don't notice the rollover. I was always under the impression that the DMF is very unreliable. I didn't know that there was any downside to the SMF except for the noise. I've not heard of it causing excessive wear on the gears from anyone. I could be wrong tho. unless your not towing anything or driving any distance I'd recommend SMF all day over DMF just for the peace of mind.
 

WarNose

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If you do any towing at all, avoid the DMF like the plague. They dont just implode, they will suddenly slip with no warning. I have known owners who drive with no load go many miles with no issues and several towing intermittent loads not last 10,000 miles (moderate load).

When I converted to a ZF5 I ran it with the DMF for a while but at the advice of this board changed to a SMF (LUK Brand) It has held up well. Unless I'm running slow in 1st or 2nd I don't notice the rollover. I was always under the impression that the DMF is very unreliable. I didn't know that there was any downside to the SMF except for the noise. I've not heard of it causing excessive wear on the gears from anyone. I could be wrong tho. unless your not towing anything or driving any distance I'd recommend SMF all day over DMF just for the peace of mind.

Has anyone else had reliability problems with the DMF? I just picked up a ZF5 that I am going to swap in. I will be towing about 5000 pounds through the mountains so I want reliability. But I am also willing to pay extra for the quietness of the DMF, as long as I can rely on it.
 

jrollf

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I never had issues towing with a dmf on my stock 93 IDIT... but others claim they will fall apart if you look cross-eyed at a trailer.

I only went SMF because my DMF was worn out after 210k miles and it was hard to find new DMFs at that time.

1993 F350 Crew Cab Dually
7.3L IDIT with a Banks Sidewinder
ZF 5-spd manual transmission
 

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