I don't have pics yet; I'll post some later.

I took the trans off the spare '95 Escort drivetrain today, then got the clutch off.

The clutch disk itself looks like it could go another 100,000 miles. It's got 105k on it already.

The flywheel? Smooth as glass. It's obvious where the clutch disk rubbed against it but there are NO ridges anywhere, not even where it transitions from unworn to worn.

There's a bit of surface rust because this thing has sat immobile since 2006, but it's just on the surface.

So what do you guys think? Machine it? Or just scuff it with 400 grit and call it good? If I was less of a perfectionist I'd probably just throw it all backtogether and call it good.

Thanks for whatever input you guys can give me.

Ed

A couple closeups of the flywheel:





There's no bluing of the metal that I can see. There's no scoring that will catch a fingernail, though there are a couple of minor grooves.

It looks pretty good to me, but I'm not an expert--this is the first clutch I've ever changed. So advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Ed

Scuff it up and call it good,
it is after all just going in a Escort.

Steve

------------------
Technology is great when it works,
and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't.
Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.

I had a Mercury Lynx back in the day and it's flywheel looked very similar to that, I just let it go and it was fine for another 40k miles. Looks *ok* to use to me.

Some people are very particular though and would say it needs to be resurfaced so you'll probably get mixed opinions, just giving mine and my own experience.

it would probibly be fine, but its one of thoes things that "while its out" baybe you should just take care of it and have cheep insurance??

You might want to sand the rust spots with some fine paper. Thats what I'd do.
But you could probably skip that step without any problems. It'll 'sand' itself the first time you go through the gears anyway.

I'd say you're going to be ok.
Slap that puppy together and ride on down the road.

(I've done several clutches on small cars)

[This message has been edited by NEPTUNE (edited 07-27-2009).]

i would say take some brake cleaner to it first. then take some sand paper to it untill it is all cleaned up around the area that the clutch plate goes. in other words no rough spots. then take the brake cleaner back to it one more time and a rag just to get the dust and grease and any thing else off. then throw it all back together. this is what i always do to the flywheels when i do a clutch unless it is really worn