Recommendations for Mustang (10.5"/10 spline) clutches?
Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2023 5:48 am
When I 1st started this V8 Ranger venture, I got a lot of used parts off eBay. Standard kinds of parts, I got from AutoZone just because it was convenient, and wasn't likely to be enough different to matter (e.g. hoses, gaskets, etc). For more specialty stuff (e.g. Universal spark plug wire kit, clutch, electric pusher-fans, high flow fuel pump, etc), I went to Summit Racing.
Back then, Summit sold the FMS King Cobra Clutch kit. It promised better than OE performance with a stock pedal feel. I think it was somewhere around $180 and was actually made by Valeo. It even had the Valeo emblem stamped right on the plate and clutch disc. When I swapped in with the 331, I used some kit I got off eBay sold by some performance shop that promised it'd be just as good as the FMS/Valeo kit for $140ish IIRC. It's worked, but I don't feel it had quite the holding power the original King Cobra had. Although that could've had more to do with it being bolted to an engine with objectively more torque than the stock Explorer 302 the King Cobra was clutching for. Overall it's been fine and is still working 10 years later.
The problem right now is the throw out bearing is starting to squeal. It doesn't happen all the time, but it's happening with increasing frequency which can only mean it's trying to let me know to do something about it before it makes that decision for me. If I'm going to take the time to drop the trans, I might as well replace the clutch & rear main seal while I'm in there.
So that brings me to the question of what clutch should I go with? Even with the added torque of the 331, I just don't drive the truck hard the VAST MAJORITY of the time. Thus stock-like pedal pressure, smooth engagement, and reliability are far more valuable to me than "Stage" clamping performance. Hell, an OE replacement clutch kit from Autozone ($115ish) would probably be just fine. But if I can find something better for a reasonable difference in price, why not? So I went looking in the typical places.
Looking on eBay, I see a LOT of suspiciously counterfeit Valeo clutches. The listings have Valeo claimed, but the images, I don't think are. And then there's are lots of clutch brands I just don't recognize, like McLeod and Luk. And even if those are good brands, I don't know enough about them to know what I'm looking for on the images (or once delivered) to pick out the counterfeits from genuine ones. I found similar frustrations when looking on Amazon.
So I went back to Summit Racing. The FMS clutch I find there is no longer called the King Cobra AND has a MUCH heftier price tag (over $300) and doesn't even include a replacement pilot bearing (the King Cobra kit of yesteryear didn't either). But I did see the McLeod and Luk brands there too along with some others I'd also never heard of before.
The Summit Racing branded clutch looks fine and is probably perfectly acceptable. It's certainly got an affordable $125ish price tag and includes the throw out as well as a new pilot. My only observation of concern is the plate only has 4 springs vs most plates for these engines (including AutoZone's Duralast) having 5 springs. I have NO CLUE if that's even a valid concern. I do believe Summit uses quality manufacturers for their Summit Racing branded products. I have a Summit-branded ignition box that, based on its construction, I'm pretty sure was made by MSD. Their box has lasted longer than the MSD 6A it replaced. So unless someone has a compelling reason not to use their clutch, I'm perfectly fine picking one of these up.
But before I bought something, I thought, maybe there's others more familiar with this area that could offer some insights I might want to consider before making a purchase.
Back then, Summit sold the FMS King Cobra Clutch kit. It promised better than OE performance with a stock pedal feel. I think it was somewhere around $180 and was actually made by Valeo. It even had the Valeo emblem stamped right on the plate and clutch disc. When I swapped in with the 331, I used some kit I got off eBay sold by some performance shop that promised it'd be just as good as the FMS/Valeo kit for $140ish IIRC. It's worked, but I don't feel it had quite the holding power the original King Cobra had. Although that could've had more to do with it being bolted to an engine with objectively more torque than the stock Explorer 302 the King Cobra was clutching for. Overall it's been fine and is still working 10 years later.
The problem right now is the throw out bearing is starting to squeal. It doesn't happen all the time, but it's happening with increasing frequency which can only mean it's trying to let me know to do something about it before it makes that decision for me. If I'm going to take the time to drop the trans, I might as well replace the clutch & rear main seal while I'm in there.
So that brings me to the question of what clutch should I go with? Even with the added torque of the 331, I just don't drive the truck hard the VAST MAJORITY of the time. Thus stock-like pedal pressure, smooth engagement, and reliability are far more valuable to me than "Stage" clamping performance. Hell, an OE replacement clutch kit from Autozone ($115ish) would probably be just fine. But if I can find something better for a reasonable difference in price, why not? So I went looking in the typical places.
Looking on eBay, I see a LOT of suspiciously counterfeit Valeo clutches. The listings have Valeo claimed, but the images, I don't think are. And then there's are lots of clutch brands I just don't recognize, like McLeod and Luk. And even if those are good brands, I don't know enough about them to know what I'm looking for on the images (or once delivered) to pick out the counterfeits from genuine ones. I found similar frustrations when looking on Amazon.
So I went back to Summit Racing. The FMS clutch I find there is no longer called the King Cobra AND has a MUCH heftier price tag (over $300) and doesn't even include a replacement pilot bearing (the King Cobra kit of yesteryear didn't either). But I did see the McLeod and Luk brands there too along with some others I'd also never heard of before.
The Summit Racing branded clutch looks fine and is probably perfectly acceptable. It's certainly got an affordable $125ish price tag and includes the throw out as well as a new pilot. My only observation of concern is the plate only has 4 springs vs most plates for these engines (including AutoZone's Duralast) having 5 springs. I have NO CLUE if that's even a valid concern. I do believe Summit uses quality manufacturers for their Summit Racing branded products. I have a Summit-branded ignition box that, based on its construction, I'm pretty sure was made by MSD. Their box has lasted longer than the MSD 6A it replaced. So unless someone has a compelling reason not to use their clutch, I'm perfectly fine picking one of these up.
But before I bought something, I thought, maybe there's others more familiar with this area that could offer some insights I might want to consider before making a purchase.