7.3 IDI ZF5 south bend clutch help!

[TristanH89IDI]

First thread here so hoping to find some help. Just picked up a 89 IDI, it desperately needs a new flywheel as the stock dual mass is extremely noisy. The truck came with a south bend clutch (pn-1944-5R). However south bend says it’s only compatible with their single mass flywheel. Does anyone know a cheaper alternative for a compatible flywheel? The south bend one is $400+ and that’s a little steep for just the flywheel.

 

[rreegg]

I don't have firsthand experience with south bend but hopefully someone more knowledgable can chime in. This Product page for the southbend clutch says it’s only compatible with the south bend fly wheel. Additionally from some other threads around here think the southbend is a 13" while the LUK is 12".
maybe worth checking out https://www.oilburners.net/threads/luk-or-south-bend.88937/

Purchased a napa brand (luk) 12" smf complete kit for around or less than 400 a few month ago...

 

[DirtyWood]

I had a truck with the Luk kit and it worked fine. Remember, most old IDIs are not creating a ton of power so a crazy clutch is not necessarily needed.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

It's said that you want to replace the throw out and pilot bearings that come in the Luk kit these days. They aren't very high quality.

 

[onetonjohn]

12" Luk kits are what we used to run in all the Ford trucks. There is a kit that include the SMF. Don't have the part number handy. No problems with bearings - but this was some time back. Sounds like the bearing quality has gone down hill. BTW: Run that plastic bearing dry - don't lub it. And check the surface it rides on the ZF for gauling. They make a sleeve bearing kit if it's badly worn.

 

[atomic44]

Just went through all this. Do a search for clutch education. I am atomic44

 

[03wr250f]

South bend clutches are drilled for 13'' clutches. That is part of how they get better torque and hp ratings as well as better tow capacities/ratings. The clutches have more surface area. It is no different than how a 12.25''(which is what everyone refers to as a 12'' clutch) holds more than a 11'' clutch in a truck application.
The holding abilities are opposite of racecar applications where they try for smaller clutches for higher clamp loads and less rotating mass.

If you want to be cheap, buy a SINGLE MASS flywheel for however your engine is balanced, factory n/a or factory turbo, and take it to your local machine shop, have them drill it for the 13'' south bend clutch.

This also works if you want the same clutch i have, which is a obs 94-97 7.3 powerstroke zf5 LUK clutch 13'' diameter (part number 07-154), mated to a idi flywheel that was drilled for 13'' clutches (that is all south bend does as well)
My pedal is way softer than the south bend clutch it replaced (pn-1944-5okhd, the one rated at 900 ft lbs) and holds all the power my truck makes 276/642 to the wheels, and has literally towed 44,200lbs up a 7% grade, and didnt slip.

 

[Nero]

We'll never hear the end of how you towed a dodge up a hill now, mad bragging rights