OK, getting close to clutch replacement time.  On one end of the spectrum my mechanic is pushing Centerforce and I have looked at LUK and ZOOM on the other end.  My car is stock L-82 and a street driven machine with a few smokey burnouts now and then.  Any recommendations and experiences would be appreciated.

Stay away from Zoom...and that's all I have to say about that...

Luk stuff is about as good as you can get without going to the high dollar stuff. That's all I've used for years, and is what I went back with on the '74.
The Centerforce is a great set-up, and will work fine too, and it gives you a little less pedal pressure...really helpful if you get stuck in heavy traffic all the time. The CenterForce is actually just a stock clutch pressure plate that they modify. They don't actually MAKE any of their stuff! It's still good quality parts. So it would really come down to $$$, imo.

Steve,

You probably already know this, but do the throw out bearing and check all the other stuff while you are in there.  Going cheap usually means going back in.

problem with throwout bearing noise. I just replaced the bearing for 2nd time, also replaced clutch etc. It was a centerforce dual unit. When I rev engine with clutch in it makes a rumbling noise. Any ideas what the heck is wrong? I have had this thing apart about ten times and its making me nuts.

[QUOTE=ace]problem with throwout bearing noise. I just replaced the bearing for 2nd time, also replaced clutch etc. It was a centerforce dual unit. When I rev engine with clutch in it makes a rumbling noise. Any ideas what the heck is wrong? I have had this thing apart about ten times and its making me nuts. [/QUOTE]

Thanks for all the info!!  I will let ya know how things go.  I'm still considering doing it myself but I have access to a few good mechanics here in town that will do it for a reasonable price.  The two problems I have now with the clutch is it slips and I suspect a worn pilot bearing.  I have a vibration around 70mph that goes away completely when I stab the clutch sometimes. 

I have the hayes clutch in my '64 vette and I am very happy with it. I purchased it either thru Jegs or Summit--can't remember which one.

FYI...Hays IS the company that produces the CenterForce clutches...
Midway Industries is the company name now but it was started by Bill Hays in 1980. Hays is the brand name...CenterForce is a product name.

TOB noises are usually attributed to installation errors, but they do make boo-boos, too. Always check the fork for wear in the pocket where the pivot ball rides, as well as the ball itself. They both wear, and can cause the fork to be crooked as it pushes the tob into the pressure plate. This can cause the pressure plate to release un-evenly, and make the disc drag a bit with the pedal down, and chatter as it is released. The surface finish of the flywheel and pressure plate is a BIG contributor to clutch chatter, also. Most machine shops use a grinder to machine the flywheels, which leaves them pretty danged rough. I prefer to turn mine on a brake lathe, and dress them with a "roll-lock" disc while still on the lathe. This eliminates any of the fine grooves left by the lathe turn.

Ace, your problem noise may be the pilot bushing, and not the tob. If the input shaft of the trans starts "flopping" around inside of the bushing/bearing when the clutch is in, it will make a rumble/grumble noise.

Hey Adam... ummmm  whats wrong with Zoom clutches...as i got one in the 78 vette.... button type(has the little pads all way around, looks like little geo metro brake pads around the clutch plate)... just curious, before i blow something up.. :)