Mazda Rotary Club

Cars by Model Type => 2nd generation RX-7's => Topic started by: m1tch on May 01, 2010, 11:29:11 AM

Title: FD clutch - FC?
Post by: m1tch on May 01, 2010, 11:29:11 AM
Hi there,

Sorry about this but am I correct to say that an FD clutch without the push pull convertor will fit an FC? I am looking at the ORC twin plate for sale which is for an FD as it has a push pull converter.
Title: FD clutch - FC?
Post by: clive on May 01, 2010, 02:09:34 PM
I know the OS Giken FD clutch is an FC clutch with a convertor so if it is a push type clutch when you see it you should be O/K
Title: FD clutch - FC?
Post by: m1tch on May 01, 2010, 02:31:40 PM
Cool :) thanks for that :D
Title: FD clutch - FC?
Post by: m1tch on May 03, 2010, 09:16:04 PM
Hi everyone again!

Will an FD counterweight be ok for my FC? The clutch I have aquired is from an FD and it comes with a counterweight, are there differences between FC and FD counterweights? I didn\'t know there where are its the same engine its bolted to.
Title: FD clutch - FC?
Post by: Prof on May 03, 2010, 09:24:42 PM
The counterweight is for the flywheel - presumably the clutch may have come with a flywheel as part of a kit originally.  If you\'re keeping your stock flywheel, then that\'s counterweighted already.
Title: FD clutch - FC?
Post by: pdtaylor18 on May 03, 2010, 09:28:43 PM
Counterweights are only needed if you go to a lighter flywheel to help keep the momentum going, also helps with the idle.
Title: FD clutch - FC?
Post by: m1tch on May 03, 2010, 09:34:37 PM
Its an FD ORC twin plate clutch, lightened flywheel and comes with an FD counterweight and push pull convertor, won\'t need the push pull convertor, but I just need to know if the FD counterweight it comes with will fit ok on the FC engine, I thought that it did as its the same engine as an FD - still a 13B block etc.

Just been onto a site that sells flywheel counterweights and it says its for a 1989-1992 rx7 and a 1993-1999 rx7, so it looks like the same flywheel weight is ok for a series 5 FC and an FD.
Title: FD clutch - FC?
Post by: Rex_FTW on May 03, 2010, 09:42:35 PM
Mitch are you interested in selling the push pull converter? I know someone who needs one
Title: FD clutch - FC?
Post by: Prof on May 03, 2010, 09:44:49 PM
Should probably fit then - although you may need a change of spacer to set the end play - and fitting the counterweight means taking the front cover off - which is a hard job to do right with the engine in the car (if the torrington bearings slip - you\'ll have front end engine damage to repair) - but not impossible.
Title: FD clutch - FC?
Post by: m1tch on May 03, 2010, 09:51:54 PM
Quote from: Rex_FTW;691353Mitch are you interested in selling the push pull converter? I know someone who needs one

Its for an ORC clutch, so im not sure if its a universal push pull sort of thing, I guess that I would be interesting in selling it as I don\'t need to modify the clutch to fit the OEM setup lol
Title: FD clutch - FC?
Post by: pdtaylor18 on May 03, 2010, 10:20:01 PM
Well I have an FD flywheel fitted to my FC Mitch, apparently they are lighter than the TII one. My other one was cracked to hell anyway and thats what Carl had hanging around.
Title: FD clutch - FC?
Post by: Rex_FTW on May 03, 2010, 10:33:18 PM
Quote from: m1tch;691359Its for an ORC clutch, so im not sure if its a universal push pull sort of thing, I guess that I would be interesting in selling it as I don\'t need to modify the clutch to fit the OEM setup lol

It\'s for an ORC clutch ;)

could you email pics to nootsure@hotmail.co.uk

cheers
Title: FD clutch - FC?
Post by: m1tch on May 03, 2010, 10:35:14 PM
Quote from: pdtaylor18;691369Well I have an FD flywheel fitted to my FC Mitch, apparently they are lighter than the TII one. My other one was cracked to hell anyway and thats what Carl had hanging around.

Cool :) nice to know :D its all go then :D I had a look at a photo of one, there is only really the one slot in it, its not like it has a complicated spline setup or anything fancy :)
Title: FD clutch - FC?
Post by: m1tch on May 03, 2010, 10:35:58 PM
Quote from: Rex_FTW;691377It\'s for an ORC clutch ;)

could you email pics to nootsure@hotmail.co.uk

cheers

Picking up the clutch tomorrow hopefully, so I will get photos of it as soon as possible for you.
Title: FD clutch - FC?
Post by: m1tch on May 05, 2010, 02:31:58 PM
Here is the price of the product on ORC

http://www.rhdjapan.com/orc-push-pull-converter-kit-31216

What will you offer me for it?
Title: FD clutch - FC?
Post by: m1tch on May 08, 2010, 07:00:14 PM
Right, I am going to get the clutch fitted soon, now that I know the FD counterweight fits and FC engine (thanks pete :D) thats sorted, however, my ORC clutch has a release bearing, does anyone know if this is specific to the clutch of can I get an OEM one and that will work?

Can someone put up a photo of an OEM FC release bearing, here is a photo of the ORC one from the FD clutch

(http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l49/m1tch_2006/P1010215.jpg)

I need to know this ASAP as I need to order a new bearing if I need to get a replacement one!

PS, here is the shiny clutch :D

(http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l49/m1tch_2006/P1010217-1.jpg)
Title: FD clutch - FC?
Post by: m1tch on May 09, 2010, 07:14:33 PM
Bump for the answer, I REALLY need to know, clutch is being fitted next weekend!
Title: FD clutch - FC?
Post by: Prof on May 09, 2010, 08:36:57 PM
That clutch bolt pattern doesn\'t look like the clutch would fit on a standard fly wheel?
 
Since it looks like it\'s got the flywheel with it, it may well require the correct counterweight to go with it.  The clutch manufacturer\'s site should indicate what counterweight is required.
 
You do know tha thte counterweight is in the front cover - so replacement with another one will involve opening the front cover - potentially disturbing the torrington bearings.  Also, you have to take the sump pan off to get the front cover off, and you\'ll also need to check the end play after swapping the counterweights - as the tolerances may be different and the end play may have changed - requiring a different spacer.
 
If you\'re keeping the stock flywheel, then no need to change anything front of engine.
Title: FD clutch - FC?
Post by: m1tch on May 09, 2010, 09:45:42 PM
Quote from: Prof;692723That clutch bolt pattern doesn\'t look like the clutch would fit on a standard fly wheel?
 
Since it looks like it\'s got the flywheel with it, it may well require the correct counterweight to go with it.  The clutch manufacturer\'s site should indicate what counterweight is required.
 
You do know tha thte counterweight is in the front cover - so replacement with another one will involve opening the front cover - potentially disturbing the torrington bearings.  Also, you have to take the sump pan off to get the front cover off, and you\'ll also need to check the end play after swapping the counterweights - as the tolerances may be different and the end play may have changed - requiring a different spacer.
 
If you\'re keeping the stock flywheel, then no need to change anything front of engine.

*sigh* I have an FD counterweight that was included with the FD clutch, the ORC clutch has its own flywheel - hence the counterweight, it has their own bolt patterning to give better clamping etc.

Pete - did you need to change anything on the front of your engine with your clutch, hmm I know you are running a FD counterweight etc

*sigh* why do I think I have just wasted a shed load of cash on this clutch :(

The current clutch has a maximum of 1 trip out, I might have to get the AA to take my over there if it fails/can\'t get to 60 :( *crys*

No I didn\'t know the counterweight was in the front of the engine, I thought it might have bolted up behind the flywheel? Just been out to have a look at the clutch, the rear counterweight bolts onto the back of the flywheel using the 6 bolts.

I am guessing there might be 2 counterweights, on at the front and then either 1 built into the OEM flywheel or a lightened flywheel and a counterweight added?
Title: FD clutch - FC?
Post by: m1tch on May 09, 2010, 09:57:21 PM
Just found this on FC3Spro:

"Use of any lightened flywheel requires the use of a proper automatic transmission counterweight.  The lightened flywheels do not have the appropriate counterweights attached, so be sure to track down the appropriate rear counterweight when trying to replace your stock flywheel.  Also, six bolts are used to secure the rear counterweight to the lightened flywheel - be sure to have these on hand when doing the install."

But what I REALLY REALLY need to know/see is an OEM release bearing, I have the uprated ORC one that it came with for an FD, is this ok for an FC, further more if it doesn\'t, can an OEM release bearing be used to release the ORC clutch?
Title: FD clutch - FC?
Post by: Prof on May 09, 2010, 10:25:20 PM
Arh - now I see !  The counterweight is on part of the casting on a stock flywheel - so that problem solved.
 
That release bearing doesn\'t look like any of the ones I\'ve had with either the stock clutch, Exedy clutch or even the one I\'m running now - but the good news is they all looked the same give or take some styling differences - so I would say a stock release bearing will be fine.
Title: FD clutch - FC?
Post by: m1tch on May 09, 2010, 10:31:14 PM
I think that ORC release bearing comes with the push pull convertor (kit retails for £335 alone!) and its uprated to be able to cope with the power lol I will bring it along when I get the clutch changed over but the OEM one that is there might be ok for the time being - it just needs to hold 300bhp for about a year or so.

I just hope that is all fits ok :(
Title: FD clutch - FC?
Post by: Hammer on May 12, 2010, 05:37:12 PM
You need to match the front counter weight with the rear counter weight.  You also need to match the counter weights to the rotors your running inside your motor.
 
I.e  I am using S4 rotors in my S6 engine, so I am using S4 counterweights with a lightened flywheel.  I couldnt use the FD counterweight/Flywheel with the S4 rotors as the S4 rotors weigh more than the FD ones.
Title: FD clutch - FC?
Post by: m1tch on May 12, 2010, 06:00:56 PM
Petes not having issues with his FD counterweight that was lying around and was just fitted, the OEM part numbers for both the clutch kits are the same for the series 5 FC and the FD engines, I believe that the S4s are different though.
Title: FD clutch - FC?
Post by: Hammer on May 12, 2010, 06:20:45 PM
The S4 rotors weigh a canny bit more than the S6 ones. I remember reading the weights of rotors last week when I was researching counterweights.
 
It helps reduce vibration if you match weights with rotors, I will try and find the info again and post it on here.
Title: FD clutch - FC?
Post by: Hammer on May 12, 2010, 06:40:05 PM
This is one thing I found:
 
weird,i ran s4 rotors and front counterwight with a lightweight flywheel using a S5 rear counterweight and the bearings were shot in around 3 months,the car was daily driven for the 3 months with a small vibration around 4K and up,I founded out that i have the wrong CW after taking the engine apart because i went thru my receipts and pakages and i discovered that ACT sent me the wrong CW(different part number between series),again bearings the rear bearing was shot and the rest was badly worn out
 
But the S5 balanced assembly is the same as a S6, so your fine.
Title: FD clutch - FC?
Post by: m1tch on May 12, 2010, 06:42:06 PM
Quote from: Hammer;693295This is one thing I found:
 
weird,i ran s4 rotors and front counterwight with a lightweight flywheel using a S5 rear counterweight and the bearings were shot in around 3 months,the car was daily driven for the 3 months with a small vibration around 4K and up,I founded out that i have the wrong CW after taking the engine apart because i went thru my receipts and pakages and i discovered that ACT sent me the wrong CW(different part number between series),again bearings the rear bearing was shot and the rest was badly worn out
 
But the S5 balanced assembly is the same as a S6, so your fine.

I am taking the car down to the garage this weekend, I think he said that Carl might have an FC one, it depends really, ORC show the same OEM number for both their kits.
Title: FD clutch - FC?
Post by: Hammer on May 12, 2010, 06:48:56 PM
Yea but it depends what FC one it is for... S4 or S5
Title: FD clutch - FC?
Post by: m1tch on May 12, 2010, 07:06:14 PM
The clutch kit is actually for an FD, so will be fine for an FD and a series 5 FC (just removing the push pull convertor)

FD kit:

http://www.rhdjapan.com/orc-559-twin-plate-metal-clutch-kit-mazda-fd3s-31204

Notes:
Mazda OEM counter weight (OEM part number: N327-11-521A for early model / N351-11-521 for later model) and bolts (OEM part number: 8051-27-235) will need to be purchased as well.

FC kit:

http://www.rhdjapan.com/orc-559-twin-plate-metal-clutch-kit-mazda-fc3s-51087#tab1

Notes:
Mazda OEM counter weight (OEM part number: N327-11-521A for early model / N351-11-521 for later model) and bolts (OEM part number: 8051-27-235) will need to be purchased as well.

Although it seems that my clutch isn\'t a 559 now, the theory is the same :)
Title: FD clutch - FC?
Post by: clive on May 12, 2010, 09:12:20 PM
It may help to know that one of our Australian friends (I think) put up pictures on a thread we had running recently about counter balance weights.

All the weights are different and the correct one must be fitted to the correct engine or a harmonic imbalance will set up and either destroy the bearings as described above or worse !

Always surprised me that when tuning piston engines one of the very first things on the list is to balance the rods, crank, pistons and flywheel/clutch assembly and yet here in the Rotary world its rarely even mention,

Yes I know our engines are inherently in balance much better than those things that have con rods that leap up n down like demented things that are trying into outer space but balance is still important in our smooooth Rotarys.

A search on the word "counter balence weight " should bring the thread up if you want it.
Title: FD clutch - FC?
Post by: m1tch on May 12, 2010, 09:23:57 PM
Hmm thanks clive :( seems I now can\'t fit my clutch until I get this sorted *sigh* hopefully I can get the car drivable for this years shows :( why would the site list the same OEM part number though?

I think carl has an FC counterweight, would that be ok for the engine do you think or do the counterweights come in different weights like the rotors do? :(