Clutches and Things

[Stuart F.]

I recently had new seat foams and covers done on my seats at the winter meet. Back in the 70's, my driver's seat stopped latching in place (last notch) and I began using a 2"x4" behind the seat to keep it in place. I figured the latching mechanism was screwed up and planned to fix it when I recovered, Now 35 years later, I had Al's boys do the work and they found that the seat frame had cracked at one rear corner. They Tig welded it and everything works fine. Seats are great too what with a perfect match to my door panels and arm rests, etc. (Note: I only recovered due to a tear in the driver's seat caused by an old seat heat cushion with the coil springs inside and, of course, 46 years on the foams takes it's toll).

Has anyone else had that happen to their 63? Al told me it was quite common, specially on the driver's side on car's equipped with Sintered Metallic brakes and/or heavy clutches (lots of rearward force, I guess).

Speaking of clutches, back in the day it was a common safety concern on Vettes, specially in drag racing, for exploding clutches. Guy's would weld up heavy metal "scatter shields" and then later came the explosion proof bell housings (don't recall their name). A friend of mine, even with a shield on his 389 Poncho powered 58 Vette, lost a couple of toes. The fiberglass floor does not offer much protection from those pressure plate missles.

Has anyone else ever had such an issue? The thought always comes back to me when I pull a redline power shift.

Stu Fox

[Dale S.]

Re: Clutches and Things

Ansen, Lakewood are some that come to mind. Dale

[John N.]

Re: Clutches and Things

RC was one of the first that was NHRA approved. Thick aluminum, might contain a clutch, did not generally contain flywheels. A number of 57 etc Chevrolets in the 50's lost clutchs and flywheels with serious consequences. Lost windshields, dashs which where destroyed and elevated in the middle. right front fenders which had a lot of damage and damaged feet and possibly spectators. The original steel plate shelds were tough to install but were required by NHRA.
Regards

[Stuart F.]

Re: Clutches and Things

Even I took a shot; I was standing off to the side of a dragster who was staged at the line (about 50' away). When he popped the clutch she blew. I saw this chunk of flywheel coming straight at me, but could not move fast enough (it was like slow motion). I got nailed right on the toe. Luckily, most of it's energy was spent by the time it got to me and I was wearing combat boots circa 1962. Played hell with my spit shine.

Stu Fox

[Steven B.]

Re: Clutches and Things

IIRC it was '66-'68 (???) Nationals when Buster was the starter and one let go and hit him in the ankle (?). After a few minutes he was back at the line. We were a couple of rows up at the starting line and saw the metal flying.

Steve

[Tom S.]

Re: Clutches and Things

Stu
I'll bet you don't do many red-line power shift's today. I just can't picture that today! Tom

[Paul L.]

Re: Clutches and Things

I can't comment on a 1963 but that seat frame problem is prevalent on early C3s as well. The solution is a reinforcing plate.

[Dale S.]

Re: Clutches and Things

Steve, Another time Buster came down to fuel check with a bloody wrist and forearm. His watch crystal was broken. I offered our first aide kit, he said no and went back up to the starting line. Dale

[Dick W.]

Re: Clutches and Things

Stu
I'll bet you don't do many red-line power shift's today. I just can't picture that today! Tom

WHY NOT?

[Steven B.]

Re: Clutches and Things

Steve, Another time Buster came down to fuel check with a bloody wrist and forearm. His watch crystal was broken. I offered our first aide kit, he said no and went back up to the starting line. Dale

Dale, was it a flywheel or clutch that hit his wrist? I really miss the S/S, A/SP and B/SP days. It was very easy to relate those cars to what you had in the parking lot.

Steve

[Tom S.]

Re: Clutches and Things

Dick
I was not trying to insinuate that Stu is getting older and a little more settled! By the way did you come down to Old Town this year? If so sorry I missed you. Tom

[Stuart F.]

Re: Clutches and Things

Tom;

You are right. I don't have the cahoney's to do that much any more these days. And besides, the 63 has never needed that kind of abuse what with the tall wind out gearing. A long pull to red line in third gear takes long enough for me to take a nap. That's not to say the car is getting slow, rather it just takes a shorter time for me to fall asleep, Ha!

It was good to see you and your lovely wife at the winter meet. Sounds like a good time was had by all, based on the positive feedback we've seen on the board.

Now, could you please do something about all the weather fronts you've been letting in off the gulf. They can't even get a shuttle off the ground over on the east bank.

Stu fox