Head Gasket Trouble - Pull Engine

Yeah, after doing a bunch of research I see what your talking about. I thought the deeper rivets were what I was supposed to wait for. I see the plate is almost down to the shallower rivets and she is done.

So this clutch is the centerforce dual friction. The pressure plate side of the disc has organic material and the flywheel side has puck style improved friction material for the higher horsepower. This clutch rates in the 500rwhp range. My car is only doing 300rwhp right now with my blower. I also don't drive it like i stole the neighbors daughter's virginity and her old man owns a mossberg magnum.

Also, as you have probably noticed my flywheel was still stock. The dual friction or any puck style clutch requires you to upgrade to the billet style flywheel. They are not compatible with cast iron, they will chew em up and spit em out. I have a feeling this is why the clutch generated more heat than it should and wore itself out faster.

I gotta tell you guys, this clutch felt awesome driving, I had no idea it was almost down to the rivets or heat ruined. But then again, I have been an owner of many clutch driven cars and trucks, but this is my first real street rod so I probably had no idea WHAT to be feeling for. So she never slipped but probably because I creep her, and when I get on the car, I let the clutch out first then stomp the pedal to the metal.


So my plan is to downgrade to a fully organic disc that will still hold more horsepower for later down the road. I'm going with the Exedy Mach 400 stage 1. Interestingly American Muscle site calls it a stage 2, but everyone else calls it a stage 1. Whatever. It's at a rating of around 400-450rwhp and that's plenty for what I'm doing.

Check it out: http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/item/EXD-07800/Exedy-Stage-1-105-Clutch-Kit-Mustang-05-10

One a more empty pockets note, I did inventory Tuesday night and have been studying like crazy online this whole week trying to get my parts list complete. I feel like I am pretty close now. Here is my new list with pricing and misc information.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/oq56cow8zw285v9/PartsList_Engine_Rebuild_2015.xlsx?dl=0

Well, assuming I got all that correct above about my clutch, how do you guys feel about Exedy clutches?

Edit: How do you guys operate your clutches? I know that the slower you let them out on take off the worse it is for a clutch and it's wear. It's like a brake pad in a sense. But how about using your clutch and engine to slow the car? I have always done this. I will downshift through all the gears every time I slow down or stop. I let the clutch out pretty fast but is this causing more heat and problems? I'm talking daily driving in the city at all the stop lights and etc.