83 K10 short box lifted 38.5 bloggers clutch problems.

[Hoov41]

So I am the new guy here. I just bought an 83 Chevy k10 short box 4-6 inch suspension and 3 inch body. I replaced te clutch in it. I put a ceramic heavy duty clutch dual friction plate in it. The issue I'm having now is that I have to let the clutch pedal almost all the way out before it catches and it shakes something fierce. Before I swapped the clutch out it was catching about 2-3 inches off the floor board. The reason k changed it was because when it got hot it wouldn't go into gear when I was stopped. What type of clutch do you guys recommend to fix this issue or could it be something else? I have the 4 speed tranny with granny low. A 350 bored and stroked. Any info will help. Thanks.

[zieg85]

Did you have the flywheel resurfaced?  Did you get a new pressure plate and throw out bearing?  What is the gear ratio?

[Hoov41]

It has stock gearing. I didn't actually do the work myself. The guy said the flywheel was fine. I believe the pressure plate was included in the clutch kit. But what I'm thinking is that I got an aftermarket or "performance clutch" if you will so it neither stop or go there is no in between would that make sense?

[roundhouse]

Ceramic clutches are like that

Not slippage
They just grab and go

The issue of the pedal height should be adjustable unless you have a hydraulic linkage which was 1987 model only

Also the excessive body lift may be causing some issue

3" is a lot of body lift

How did you wind up with a ceramic clutch disc?
That's usually for race cars

[Hoov41]

A guy recommended that I go with that because it is heavy duty and having big tires like that it would prolong the life and wear and tear. I just bought the truck as a project and I am still learning as I go.

[zieg85]

That is a lot of tire to get moving with typical stock 1/2 ton gearing.  I bet L is a useful gear in your case.

[Hoov41]

Oh heck yeah it is. Even going down hill. I wanna get like 4.56s to go in there. It's a work in progress.

[Engineer]

I ran a metallic clutch in my sled puller. Metallic clutches are that way. I told everybody it was like having a toggle switch on the dash. The clutch was either in or out. No middle ground.

Now try imagining trying to take off with 30,000# of dead weight behind you. Lol.

One thing about it, in 15 years of sled pulling my 454 NEVER managed to make that clutch slip.....and that was with a stock 12" Borg & Beck pressure plate. When I tore my truck down to put a sintered iron disc in it my son put that old metallic clutch in his mud truck and beat on it some more.

[roundhouse]

I wound up with an 18 wheeler that had a ceramic clutch

I hated it.   No way to slip it at all

Swapping in a normal stock clutch should cure it
Also have the flywheel resurfaced 

[Hoov41]

Awesome. Thanks for all the input. Is there as good brand you guys would recommend? Also if I want to put 3/4 ton axles on it how much of a pain in the butt is it?