I have a 59AB motor that had an 11" clutch on it. I am going to be running a 39 toploader behind it and need to know if this will work or if I need a 9". I don't have the engine back from the machine shop yet or I would just try it but I would like to get my new disk and plate ordered. I read somewhere that you need to put the clutch in before the pan goes on but the pan I have has a bolt on plate/cover that I think I can remove to get it in there. I took the damn thing apart too but just can't remember what I did.
An eleven inch clutch on a 59A motor will act like a heavier flywheel. Go smaller if you can, if its a light car the nine inch will be fine.
The pan you have is designed for changing the truck clutch. 11" will fit trans cases 1935 and up; 11" is very heavy and stiff--it will slow engine revving and give you a serious workout if you get into traffic. Its capacity is not needed unless engine is going into a dump truck...clutch needs largely depend on vehicle weight. Lighter is better for a rod, I'd go 9" for a light car, 10" in heavy, maybe arbitrarily defining heavy as 3,000 pounds. I believe the 11" wheel is same as others, and can be redrilled by a machine shop for other sizes.
It is going into a 32 roadster so I guess the 9" is the way to go. I'll check with the machine shop on redrilling it for the smaller plate.
UPDATE: I checked with the machine shop and he wasn't too excited about drilling my flywheel for the smaller clutch. I know I could find a shop to do it but I remembered I had one that is a 9" but I don't know if it is a 59A or 8BA style. From what I have found doing searches there is some difference with the location of the ring gear on the flywheel. Here is a pic of the 9" one I have can someone ID it? BTW it is going on a 59A with a Merc crank.
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