6v-->12v clutch help needed!!

I have a 1950 Plymouth with a '53 engine that I have converted to 12 volt. The 12V flywheel I got (origin unknown) has a more shallow center hub than the original 6V flywheel and now the flywheel bolts hit the 6 springs in the hub of the clutch disk.

On this vintage Mopar, the flywheel bolts come through the engine side of the crank hub and there are nuts and washers on the clutch side of the flywheel instead of traditional bolts into tapped holes in the crank hub. If the clutch disk didn't have the springs, it would work.

I realize that this sounds kind of crazy, but is it possible to rebuild the clutch disk and eliminate the hub springs so that the hub of the disk was as flat as the disk itself? or maybe get some kind of custom or performance clutch disk to get the job done?

thanks and looking forward to your responses.
~meezy

 

why not just use the 6v flywheel? 6 volt starters work fine on 12 volts.

 

that's what i initially had set up and i wouldn't exactly use the term "fine" to describe it's performance. 12v really sets a 6v starter spinning. too much juice... ended up breaking a few teeth off the starter. i'd hear them ricocheting off the walls of the flywheel cover whenever i'd start the car. so i updated to a 12v starter, which required a 12v flywheel b/c the # of teeth was different. so that's where i'm at now.

 

do you have the friction disc mounted properly??? IE correct side toward the flywheel?
Did you mount the flywheel correectly?

What was the source of the flywheel? Dodge crankshaft flanges are thicker because they had to support the heavier fluid drive set up. If the flywheel is from a dodge, it will ahve an offset to match the thicker flange. If you mount it to a plyouth crank withthe thinner flange you might have the problem you describe. But as far as I know the clutch discs are the same for all applications (except for diameter 9 1/2 vs 10 inch) so I would suspect if you flip the friction disc you will be OK.

 

we made double sure that everything was mounted properly - because my friend HAS mounted flywheels the wrong way - TWICE before. (sorry to sell you out, buddy).

anyway, i bought what i think is an appropriate ring gear, so i'm gonna drop off the old flywheel that i KNOW fits my car at the machine shop monday, grind off the old ring gear, and install the replacement.

hopefully, the rest of the stuff will just bolt together with no problems after that.


thanks for the helpful responses.

 

We have a place in California that can build clutch disc any way you want them,but can you put a 12v armature in the 6 v housing?

 

Sounds like putting the 6v starter gear on the 12v starter would be simpler?

 

the ring gear is a heat to fit piece, no grinding necessary. The other thing you can do is machine down the starter area a bit to allow it to fit deeper.

 

i just meant grind until you can crack the rest of it off or whatever. i just learned how those ring gears are affixed to flywheels recently. pretty wild. the other idea works, but i would rather just change out than alter.
thanks for the response.