383 4 spd clutch replacement

paul1969cars · 2025-10-23T21:13:34-0500

Hey

I did the engine bay over so I pulled out the tranny. Anyway this is the state of the parts. The clutch seems fine with plenty of meat on it. mesure 0.33 or so in thickness

The pressure plate looks bluish in color and car did slip a little

The flywheel has slight unevenness when you run your finger across it. its smooth and no cracks. Dont know if I can run an orbital sander on it or maybe its fine?

The car has 383 and 23 spline tranny and 143 tooth flywheel

What do you suggest I do

Just install a clutch kit? or just the pressure plate? I dont want to do this again

another question i have

didnt this car come with 10.5" clutch and not 11"

I dont want to get the wrong setup

If you can tell me what to do and get

Thanks

Bret Schneider · 2025-10-23T23:21:14-0500

That pressure plate does not look good. It's toast.
Have the flywheel resurfaced and install a complete clutch kit including a new throw out bearing.
Check the pilot bushing as well.

Ask the machinist who resurfaces the flywheel for his recommendation on what size clutch you should be using. The clutch kit should come with an alignment tool to line things up during the installation. Make sure you take the time to do this part correctly. Otherwise you're in for a frustrating experience when you mate the engine and tranny back together.

Chryco Psycho · 2025-10-24T00:37:15-0500

E bodies should have the 130 tooth flywheel & alum belhousing , these came with 10.5" clutch for light duty & 10.95 in HD applications the 143 is fine should have the cast iron belhousing , I would use an 11" clutch on any 143 tooth flywheel .
That clutch doesn't even look like it was working correctly as the disc surface doesn't look like it was making full contact & obviously was slipping .
As above the clutch pressure plate looks bad but could be rebuilt as it is 3 finger type at least , the disc could be reused but better compounds are available , the flywheel will be OK resurfaced .
Stay away from Centerforce crap , I prefer the 3 finger type over diaphragm as the linkage etc was designed for that .
Use a new release / throw out brg & check the pilot bushing

Daves69 · 2025-10-24T11:28:23-0500

paul1969cars said:
........I dont want to do this again

Check all you can before you install.

What's up with the crank bushing or are you running a bearing? Might be a good idea to indicate the bell in if it hasn't been. The FSM has directions. Free downloads at MyMopar.com

Unfortunately, just because "it's new" doesn't mean no issues won't arise.
Your current clutch cover may not have had the finger height set correctly. Appears to have been grabbing the outer portion of the disc first all the time. Worth checking before installing, IMO.
My last new MP cover was out on one .050".

The MP fixture is an example given w/o instruction....

One can likely do this with 5/16" (.312") flat stock strategically positioned and a depth mic.
I was fortunate enough to obtain a suitable disc and means to grind it to .310".
Bolt the cover to the flywheel with the disc in between. I measure down to the disc next to each finger. Adjust eyebolts as necessary to even them out and re-stake the nut