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Bad vibration in Blueprint 383, turns out it's the Centerforce clutch!

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Bangin' gears

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Posting as a matter of a searchable record to help others.

1.5 years ago, I installed a Blueprint Engine 383 430hp/450tq longblock and from day one had a bad vibration that would show up ~4K and was inconsistent with this. Sometimes it would start earlier. Changed the flywheel, the damper, the WP, upgraded to a TKO600 this past winter, degreed the bellhousing, nothing changed. Being it's my wife's car, shifting under where this is a problem was the norm for her, it's only been a PITA for me :thumbsup:.

I finally called Blueprint thinking it has to the be the rotating assembly and their main tech guy and I run through the list of things it could be. Somewhere in this, he mentions that guys call in almost weekly with similar issues that 99.99% end up being external and sometimes the problem is with Centerforce clutches and begins to continue with other possibilities and I cut him off. I ask "Did you say centerforce clutch?" Well, to shorten this up, I had installed a Centerforce DF clutch with the engine and this was thought to be the issue. I searched the web and found this is common (remember to search online for part reviews before ordering). I called Centerforce tech line and as I expected, I am told that their clutches are balanced perfectly and the problem likely does not originate from their product but, if I wanted to bear the expense of shipping the clutch and waiting for it, they would check the balance and by the way, the clutch is out of warranty.

My next action was to order a Mcleod clutch from Summit racing. It was in my home in 2 days as usual and on this fine July 4th, I installed it in a few hours. Upon removing the transmission, I see the weight ring is off-center. I now believe it swings around the crank centerline like a jump rope and the weights probably get pinched and manipulate the clutch fingers irregularly causing the vibration in the clutch pedal and engine we experienced.

The result is that the vibration is gone, the clutch actuates more smoothly, is lighter in pedal and all in all clearly a superior product for $35 less than the CF. Aaargh. :beers: Shouldn't have fallen victim to the marketing....
 
#2 ·
From time to time I have mentioned this in other posts about the vibration issues related to the weight system of these clutches.

I tell customers to use a bolt cutter or cutoff wheel to cut the ring and remove the weight system. In every case, the vibration was eliminated.

You can save your Centerforce clutch for another job, just remove the weights.
 
#3 ·
I bet you felt like doing cartwheels afterward, right? Don't have a Centerforce but took mine to the builder and left it so they could check it, and also bought the flywheel from them so they could check it. Awful feeling to drop in a new engine, tranny, or anything else and get the vibes.
 
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#4 ·
My first and only CF clutch did that. The vibrations were always different till the weights got stuck in an off center position. That problem wasted a lot of time. I cut the ring and used the clutch from 1999 till three weeks ago. Most people tell me I'm crazy when I say never again for CF.
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
I did consider cutting/removing the weight system but, I thought that if it were balanced with the weights on, the balance probably isn't as good as it could be with them off. After all, what if the weights were off-center when it was balanced? I preferred to just swap it after going through the effort of the clutch swap. I'll post it on CL and sell it; clearly, there are suckers who will buy Centerforce!
 
#6 ·
Bangin' gears said:
I did consider cutting/removing the weight system but, I thought that if it were balanced with the weights on, the balance probably isn't as good as it could be with them off. After all, what if the weights were off-center when it was balanced? I preferred to just swap it after going through the effort of the clutch swap. I'll post it on CL and sell it; clearly, there are suckers who will buy Centerforce!
Click to expand...
Please cut the ring and remove the weights before you sell your clutch. Your "sucker" comment about the buyer will cause him to have engine vibrations too.

Stand up car guys with integrity do not do this to each other.
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
I appreciate your intent but, you're making a character assumption from this is equally off-base. The "sucker" I was referring to was myself. For the sake of the discussion, my plan is to disclose the issue I had and leave the decision to whomever buys the clutch as to whether or not they will cut the ring. :beers:


JodysTransmissions said:
Please cut the ring and remove the weights before you sell your clutch. Your "sucker" comment about the buyer will cause him to have engine vibrations too.

Stand up car guys with integrity do not do this to each other.
Click to expand...
 
#10 ·
George,

That is great news, my apologies for misinterpreting your comment and post.

I always try to post facts to keep myself out of trouble and this post reply may cause a stir. As a business owner, I am posting this information as to facts on what I see come through the shop. There are a lot of guys on the forums who really love the Centerforce clutch and use them and promote them. I stopped using them 10+ years ago due to the vibration issues.

It seems there are more vibration issues from the clutch and weight system where vehicles are stored in a damp garage with no climate control. In Pennsylvania, we have cold days for weeks at a time, then a nice warm day is upon us. First thing guys want to do is open the garage doors and the temperature change causes everything to sweat. Everything including the clutch diaphram fingers and weight system. As time goes on, the vibrations get worse as everything becomes rusty.

George, for the record, what state do you live in?

Now the real question; are the clutch vibrations due to location and rust issues? It seems guys living in dry climates do not have the vibrations?
 
#11 ·
I cut the weight system off my CF pressure plate and it did make a big difference with vibration. My cars live in a semi temp controlled garage but it does get pretty humid here in S.C. It's been awhile since I did this and at the time I didn't think to look for rust or corrosion.
 
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Discussion starter · #12 ·
I live in the NW. The garage is temp/humidity stable. There is absolutely no rust on any of the parts. They look virtually new. In this case, I feel comfortable saying the clutch design is the sole culprit. I changed both the damper/flywheel/degreed the bellhousing with the TKO 600 install this past winter and this made no difference from the M21. It was rather disappointing but, fortunately, a clutch change on the car is quite easy and now the issue is resolved. Will call Blueprint this week and let them know they're off the hook :beers:
 
#13 ·
Very interesting read. I too have a CF clutch. This vibration will be noticeable sitting? I replaced the clutch and added the 1.5 inch drop springs and notice a vibration driving. Thought it was the pinion angle but that checked out.
 
#14 ·
Good information in this thread, just wish I'd known about this potential Centerforce pressure plate issue this past winter when I removed my transmission to replace all the leaking seals :confused:

Oh well, next time I pull it apart I'll try removing the weights and see what the difference is, so far, so good...
 
#15 ·
JodysTransmissions said:
It seems there are more vibration issues from the clutch and weight system where vehicles are stored in a damp garage with no climate control. In Pennsylvania, we have cold days for weeks at a time, then a nice warm day is upon us. First thing guys want to do is open the garage doors and the temperature change causes everything to sweat. Everything including the clutch diaphram fingers and weight system. As time goes on, the vibrations get worse as everything becomes rusty.

George, for the record, what state do you live in?

Now the real question; are the clutch vibrations due to location and rust issues? It seems guys living in dry climates do not have the vibrations?
Click to expand...

I was living in California when I had issues with my CF clutch (not near the ocean). I noticed the problem after the first couple of weeks. I swapped in an engine that I rebuilt and did a Tremec installation along with the clutch so I had a lot of places to look for the problem. The way the vibration was always changing I thought it was some sort of miss-fire. I figured that a driveline problem would not be changing and getting worse then going away then coming back.
 
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