Clutch parts 1957 AMC

What is the purpose of these inserts? Meaning the friction plate look 'normal', why did they do something different for the inboard one?
Are these inserts available any where? If not I am sure it will be fine missing a few
 
Rohan said:
Most brit factories went to the Ferodo type inserts in the 1930s.
For good reason - power outputs had risen, and they advertised that the friction capabilities of the new wonder material were more,
considerably more, than the cork inserts.
That said, older machines had used cork for some considerable time....
Click to expand...

Cork in oil grips better than most of those compounds in oil. Triumph used cork until the late 1950s. After they then changed to some sort of asbestos stuff, the 650 and 750 clutches gave chronic trouble.

The downside of cork is the ease with which you can burn it.
 
More or less for info:

I have the clutch apart now so can take some pictures and understand the parts better
It looks different than any diagram or clutch parts for sale that I can find
On the diagrams and other ones I can find, the outer basket has a solid disk and the backing plate has friction material
On mine, the basket has holes in it, it is in these holes are the hard brake material inserts
They fit close but can slip right out, they don't seem to have been pressed in
The backing plate on the diagrams and parts I see has friction material
The one on mine is smooth
The 'inserts' on the friction plates do not look like cork, they are hard, like brake lining material
Other than the rubber inserts the only part that worries me is the center hub
after I got the nut off it came right off, but if it ever was stuck and I need the extractor tool I would have a problem because the threads are messed up
Clutch parts 1957 AMC

Clutch parts 1957 AMC

Clutch parts 1957 AMC
 
Your center hub appears to be in good shape. I do not see any cratering in the splines.

The center body rubbers (shock absorbers) look gummy. You will want to replace them.

I cannot see the three armed shock absorber center in the pics. The arms are often broken, especially if the PO liked doing wheel stands.

These clutches do not require any extraction tools. They usually pull off with the hands after removing the center nut.

Slick
 
yes they are super gummy, and bits of hard material, maybe one of the inserts that broke up
The article some one mentioned 'the Norton Clutch' says to replace the rubber inserts twice a season, I wouldn't be surprised if these are original
Certainly they are 40+ years old
The 3 prongs are fine
Interesting that it is different than the other examples I can find
so I hope the rubber inserts are the same
 
There are new heavy duty rubbers available which I think are merely an improved material compound.

These are probably worth the extra cost.

If you run Ford type F auto trans fluid rather than oil in the chain case, the ATF will not attack the rubber material. The rubber life should be measured in decades.

As far as new rubbers matching yours, I would think you have a good chance they will. Rubbers are not all that expensive, so it is worth a try.

When you get around to putting in the new rubbers, you will need a special tool. There was a post on the P11 forum regarding this. You might do a search over there.

Good luck.

Slick
 
mark99 said:
More or less for info:

I have the clutch apart now so can take some pictures and understand the parts better
It looks different than any diagram or clutch parts for sale that I can find
On the diagrams and other ones I can find, the outer basket has a solid disk and the backing plate has friction material
On mine, the basket has holes in it, it is in these holes are the hard brake material inserts
They fit close but can slip right out, they don't seem to have been pressed in
The backing plate on the diagrams and parts I see has friction material
The one on mine is smooth
The 'inserts' on the friction plates do not look like cork, they are hard, like brake lining material
Other than the rubber inserts the only part that worries me is the center hub
after I got the nut off it came right off, but if it ever was stuck and I need the extractor tool I would have a problem because the threads are messed up
Clutch parts 1957 AMC
quote]

You can always try ;
http://www.rgmnorton.co.uk/buy/clutch-c ... 2_4172.htm
Yours is I think the earlier clutch, the later clutch (500ss, 650ss, Atlas) had a chainwheel without any friction inserts.
Click to expand...
 
On the special tool, do you mean a clutch holding tool?
To get it loose I was able to hold the rear brake
 
You don't show the outer part of the clutch - steel or domed alloy. ?
That is looking like its a pre AMC clutch...
 
Also the centre of this clutch pressure plate is usually plain, whereas the Norton on the Domi 650/750 has an adjusting screw and locknut for adjustment to the pushrod.
 
here are some photos of the outboard cover
feels pretty light and no rust, other than stain from other parts, so not steal

Clutch parts 1957 AMC

Clutch parts 1957 AMC


new question, but related
The sliding discs that 'seal' hole in the primary behind the clutch, can I use the ones that are sold for Atlas etc. and have the felt insert?
 
new question, but related
The sliding discs that 'seal' hole in the primary behind the clutch, can I use the ones that are sold for Atlas etc. and have the felt insert?

I did not know they could be bought separately, but Atlas or Dommie should work.

Slick
 
mark99 said:
here are some photos of the outboard cover
Click to expand...

Now I am mystified - your clutch appears to have the plates from a pre AMC clutch,
and most of the workings of an AMC clutch (?).

Did the factory do this at some point, or has a previous owner mixed things up to solve some previous problems or parts shortages ??
 
a mystery!
I have no idea of course, I really don't know which parts are which
The person I bought it from had it over 40 years, mostly sitting in the garage
but that still leaves 20 years for someone to mess with it
It does seem pretty original for the most part
 
mark99 said:
here are some photos of the outboard cover
feels pretty light and no rust, other than stain from other parts, so not steal

Clutch parts 1957 AMC

Clutch parts 1957 AMC

?
Click to expand...

Well, with the adjusting screw on the outer pressure plate, it looks like a mix and match that the British motorcycle industry was famous for :?:
I assume that I can use the same clutch on a 650SS if I just change my pressure plate, which doesn’t have the adjusting screw :?: :idea:
 
You could probably use the clutch out of a Villiers 125.
With no guarantees it would be successful though !

Note that the OP's 3 clutch adjustments are 'nuts', whereas the laydown clutch uses bolts.
I'd say this clutch is an amalgam of bits that a previous owner has resorted to when things were worn,
and needed some replacement bits. Necessity is the mother of invention, as they say...
 
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