clutch issues

[BrianS]

Maybe you guys can help me in diagnosing what went wrong. I have a 1979 fiat spider 2000 pini. We rebuilt the Transmission all is good there, installed a new clutch (cheaper clutch 119.00 from AR) new throwout bearing. And scuffed the fly wheel with emery cloth. After driving it for 3-4 months. I was coming to a light pushed in the clutch to take it out of gear and the clutch plates blew up!!! Not sure what would cause this? The few of the pressure plate fingers where a bit bent.(not sure if this happened when the plates blew up or not?

I have now bought the OEM VALEO. Clutch kit as well as a new clutch fork, clutch fork pivot bolt, pilot bearing, and seal. I hope to solve any issues in hopes to avoid dropping the Transmission for a third time.

Could it have been caused by the pressure plate fingers being bent when I installed the transmission? Or clutch cable being adjusted wrong? Or simply a defective clutch plate.

I must add that there was no warning before it blew, all has been great with it up to that point. Any thoughts?

[Dawgme85]

What do you mean by, "... the clutch plates blew up!"? Are you unable to engage or disengage the clutch now? If the clutch remains engaged, but the pedal is on the floor, you have a broken clutch cable and, probably, a cracked clutch pedal. Good luck.
LeRoy

[BrianS]

Sorry, I am talking about the clutch pads. The synthetic material similar to break pads. Both sides of clutch have completely disintegrated into fiber fragments. Only thing left is the thin sheet metal in the middle that the pad is riveted too.

I can only think that there must have been a Crack or imperfection in the clutch. But thought I would see if anyone on here has had the same issue in the past.

[So Cal Mark]

you need to have the flywheel re-surfaced, not just scuffed with an pad. Then make sure the clutch is adjusted properly so that it's completely engaged. If there is any oil inside the bellhousing, fix the leak