The 'E' Type Forum

I've just been looking at 9.5" Clutch kits for my SII etype OTS. There seem to be two on offer at places like SNGB, Martn R and Manners - Borg & Beck and PowerTune. I've heard of B&B, but not Powertune! (that are cheaper!)

Has anyone have any experience of Powertune clutches, or even better, able to compare the two?

Are there any other makes that I should be looking at?

Are there any alternative super-competitive established suppliers I should be looking at?

P.S. Can I share a great moment of happiness - the old release bearing split into many pieces when I inspected it!! It's always satifying to know that there really was a clutch fault, and not an hydraulic fault!!!

We've used many of the B&B units from SNGB over the years, and have had no problems with them.

I've never heard of Powertune. While they might be really good, having to replace a clutch on an E type is a lot of work, and a job best only done once.

I'd stick with the B&B.

EDIT. I note with interest that SNGB now offer a kit with a roller thrust bearing, rather than the traditional carbon bearing. Given that it is almost always the thrust bearing that wears out first in an E Type, I wonder whether this might be a better choice.

Caveat: I have no personal experience with the roller bearing units.

I would beware useing roller release bearing........one restorer i know of stopped useing them due to failures....Steve

JC wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 30, 2021 10:45 pm

the old release bearing split into many pieces when I inspected it!! It's always satifying to know that there really was a clutch fault, and not an hydraulic fault!!!

A bit more to help make a decision !
I would check the slave action/free play out carefully when rebuilding ,as a the thrust bearing breaking up can be the result of it constantly riding on the pressure pad .
Powertune are a budget brand , universal joints are another budget line they trade in - i would'nt choose their clutch over a Borg & Beck.
The currently supplied Borg & Beck [ below]recently had a redesign , it now resembles the original Lockheed item--it's a quality item ---bought from Robey's.

https://www.sngbarratt.com/English/#/UK ... aa601e215a is the "uprated" kit with the roller bearing.

https://www.sngbarratt.com/English/#/UK ... 4c73604d9e is, I think, just the roller bearing although it's not explicitly stated.

As I said above I've never used one and Steve says they fail. Nevertheless all modern cars use bearings rather than carbon, and the carbon ones both fail and wear prematurely.

The typical roller bearing in "modern" cars moves in one plane foreward/backwards.....the E type uses a clutch fork which moves the release bearing in an arc.....this is part of the problem. ....Steve

Thank you all.... B&B, with traditional release bearing it is..

Cheers, John C