Clutch for 1992 SHO

[EugeneSchreiber]

Hi! Just bought 1992 SHO in decent shape, but it needs clutch change due to inaproppriate repair. In Ukraine there isn't any single thing, so I started to look to eBay and found few options in 220-450 price range. Obviously, I'd like to save some money, but also to avoid real crap as well. Which clutch would be rational to order? Thanks.

 

[luigisho]

If I was doing a regular clutch replacement I would just go with a Valeo clutch kit (or sometimes called clutch set) with the clutch disc, pressure plate. and throw out bearing etc

part number Valeo 52482001

 

[sperold]

Any 9 3/4" clutch kit will work. There are some 9 1/4" floating around, but avoid them.

All clutch kits are based on the original Valeo design (with 4 springs in the disc). There are now 6 spring discs and they are satisfactory as well.

I don't know of any off shore manufacturers that are sub-standard, but perhaps others can comment.

The standard clutch kit is a good balance between long life and clamping abilities, and after you have paid for a clutch change, you will appreciate long life.

On special sell-offs, the kits have been discounted down to $125.00, but expect around $220.00 if no deals are available. That is RockAuto in the USA, so you would need someone to purchase and ship to your destination if you managed to get a good price on that forum.

 

[EugeneSchreiber]

Thanks a lot! Found few offers of the Valeo kit, now establishing connection with the Ukrainian community in the U.S.

 

[sperold]

No need to look for a Valeo exclusively, any clutch kit (except a 9 1/4) from 89 to 95 will work well. My last kit was a Rhino-Pac and it proved to be flawless.

A key component of the kit is the release bearing as that will be the failure point in years to come (along with the pressure plate fingers). And that is not disclosed in the kit component list.

Some kits have a new "quill" sleeve which requires an oversize release bearing as it fits on the tranny snout where the release bearing slides. But that only needs to be used if you experienced the clutch "hanging-up" in its travel.

Good luck with the clutch kit change.

 

[luigisho]

I wonder if there is an international or regional retail outfit that can get you one any cheaper after you factor international shipping. I imagine the shipping is going to hurt due to weight.

 

[SHOVNST]

LUK brand clutch is the way to go, if you can get one...


.

 

[EugeneSchreiber]

I wonder if there is an international or regional retail outfit that can get you one any cheaper after you factor international shipping. I imagine the shipping is going to hurt due to weight.

As it turns out, international shipping isn't so expensive. Ordered Valeo kit yesterday in Rock Auto - $182 for the kit and ab. $35 for shipping. Weight is 9,5 kilograms.

As for local suppliers - it's hard to find parts for old American cars in Europe because they're not so popular here. Of course, you can place an order in local retailer and wait for shipping from the U.S. - or do the same (identificate parts, find U.S. dealer, order) by youself. Second way is a bit cheaper and rather simple thanks to SHO Community)

 

[luigisho]

Considering weight and distance that's not terrible shipping. Good luck with the clutch job.

 

[sperold]

I think Valeo is an Italian company. But anymore, it is hard to pair a company with a country.

That was a good price for the clutch kit.

It is usually a $500.00 labor fee, unless you can do it yourself, or know a "guy", that is, if you have no trouble with the exhaust studs or sub frame bolts. I would start by getting the penetrating oil on them starting now.

 

[pjtoledo]

we should warn you that the transmission in your '92 SHO is not the best for racing. doing burn-outs or aggressively spinning the tires causes the differential to fail. that usually results in t

otal destruction of the transmission.
for more information search "blown diff pin".​

 

[EugeneSchreiber]

I'm 38 and I'm not gonna do such things. Besides, the whole car isn't the best for racing, actually. If I wanted to have a sport car, I would buy something much smaller and stiffer, and with better handling - like Focus ST. I choose Taurus SHO because it looks just amazing, and it's proper American sport saloon, and I wanted to have one with mechanical transmission. Powerful engine and sportier suspension is a bonus.

I expect changing clutch to cost me around $150 - in Ukraine salaries are much lower. But there is another problem - I have to find proper service. Working on it.

 

[sperold]

That labor cost is very impressive.

Your best bet is to copy a number of "how-tos" from this forum and a few other sources like V6 Sho. There is a clutch change video available from ShoNut Performance, which is highly recommended, and not expensive. Work on the engine exhaust studs, and the sub frame bolts (roll back the carpet in front and look for giant rubber plugs). You will probably need the do-nut gasket and spring kit the sits on the back of the front Y-Pipe where you disconnect the exhaust to lower the sub frame.

When lowering the sub frame, make sure your DIS module does not mash the strut tower.

I suspect the tradesmen in your area have to be more willing to be experimental to keep an older car on the road, which works in your favor.

 

[mavericksav]

https://www.drive2.ru/l/455298695164854923/ cheap and good disk ($50)
https://www.drive2.ru/l/455298970042762324/ SHO original disk and korean comparison
https://www.drive2.ru/l/455297595653226948/ toyota 3S engine pressure plate better than original

 

[EugeneSchreiber]

Hi, gentlemen! Thanks for your help with clutch kit, but as it turns out, there is one minor issue left: the engine in my car is 3.2L installed into SHO with MTX transmission. Now I strongly suspect that the flywheel from 3.2L needs some adaptation to be properly arranged with clutch. Actually, clutch change needed because of previous owner, who didn't fix this problem. I did some research, but failed to find such specific info yet. And I bet mechanics in service station specialized on American cars knows nothing about it. That's disturbing.

 

[zak]

The flywheel would have been swapped from a 3.0 engine to the 3.2, no change in drop dimension.
Do you plan on adding a ceramic TOB?

Was the disc installed backwards, or did the pressure plate bolts back out?

 

[luigisho]

I'm not sure it's possible but could there be a mismatch with the smaller earlier flywheel with the upsized clutch from mid to later models of GenI/II cars? I've never seen one mated against the other so I don't know if that is a mistake that could be put together

 

[EugeneSchreiber]

The flywheel would have been swapped from a 3.0 engine to the 3.2, no change in drop dimension.
Do you plan on adding a ceramic TOB?

Was the disc installed backwards, or did the pressure plate bolts back out?

I haven't seen it yet, just signed up to service. No plan for ceramic bearing, I'm fine with stock features.

 

[sperold]

All manual transmission flywheels are the same, so there is no possibility of a flywheel mix-up.

Usually, the 3.2 has a one belt system for all the engine accessories, and the coil is downward tipped at the front. The 3.0 has 2 belts on the engine front and the coil is flat. But sometimes these systems are swapped between engines.
.All 3.2s came with automatic transmissions originally, so there are no 3.2 flywheels that can get mixed in to the flywheel population.

Your 92 did not have an automatic option in that year, so you probably have the correct sub frame (the MTX model), if it has not been changed. The 2 different sub frames have different engine locations for the 3.0 standard and the 3.2 automatic. There is almost no chance the subframes have been swapped, but is noted only as a curiosity if things get really strange.

 

[tompumped]

https://www.drive2.ru/l/455298695164854923/ cheap and good disk ($50)
https://www.drive2.ru/l/455298970042762324/ SHO original disk and korean comparison
https://www.drive2.ru/l/455297595653226948/ toyota 3S engine pressure plate better than original

Not only has this man figured out what main bearings to use in our motors, he also figured out what to use as a clutch replacement that's supposed to be stronger. Unbelievable.

I wish someone here wouldve found a better clutch for us. It seems that even with the pressure plate strap modifications that the clutches can still fail. I have two eight pound flywheels and i'm afraid to use them, the last time I used it it took no time after break in to break the straps on my clutch, but it was stock.