So, Im a bout to order a South Bend Con. OFE clutch kit, for my truck. This is the one everyone has suggested, for my needs.

Thing is, a few people told me that it should come with a flywheel. But, I looked on SB's site, and it looks like it doesnt come with a flywheel.

Should I buy this clutch kit, and buy a new flywheel? Or, should I just get my flywheel resurfaced? Or, should I buy a different clutch kit, that comes with a new flywheel?

Also, is there anything else I should replace, while the tranny is out? Besides the rear main seal?

 

resurface you stock flywheel. is all you will need to do.

danny

 

I bought a SBC flywheel, because the pilot bearing in the stock flywheel is a POS. My truck with 15k miles at the time was a beyotch to get into gear at times. Smooth as butter with the OFE and SBC flywheel.

 

UPDATE!!!!

I just bought the Valair "OFE" (copy of the SB OFE), from an ebay seller. It;ll be shipped , straight from Valair. I paid $400 with free shipping. I should have called Valair, tomorrow. Did I pay too much?

Also, ...the pilot bearing is in the flywheel? Can it be pressed out, and replaced? The clutch kit I ordered, comes with a new pilot bearing. Is this different?

 

I bought my Con OFE from Blumenthal's Heavy Duty out of Oklahoma a couple of years back and the kit came with the clutch, pressure plate, throw-out bearing, and pilot bushing for $625 shipped to the door. Took my flywheel to the local clutch shop and got a big surprise...they sell the exact same kit but with an upgraded, higher clamp load pressure plate for $400. I needed my truck right away so I just accepted my loss and went about my business. The clutch is awesome but can be extremely "grabby" at times taking off. With the BullyDog turned to extreme it's nothing but power to the ground.

 

My OFE is not grabby at all, just the slightest bit more 'grabby' than the stocker, are you sure you don't have the FE jhenson?

My 06 had the dual mass flywheel in it, you cannot use it with the OFE.
I think your 04.5 also has the DM flywheel na4now so you'll be needing a new one as well.

Good luck with the Valair...

 

the dual mass flywheel started in the g56 trans trucks. the nv5600 do not have the dual mass.

danny

 

... and what tranny does his 04.5 have?

 

They didn't go to the G56 till later on in the 05 production run,so some 05's have an NV and some a G56.

 

I have almost $400 into building our OFE. A copy yes, the same clutch no.

Peter

 

Fisherguy...the writing on the box said mu-1947 Con OFE. Heck I might have gotten lucky and got an FE!!! Wouldn't that be something?

 

where at in texas are you? i am in the need for a new clutch and would like to find some place i can just go get one and not have to get it shipped. but i only want to run SB. don't trust the others out there.

 

The '04.5 has a NV5600. So, it doesnt have a dual mass flywheel.

Is the bearing in my flywheel, just a regular bearing, that can be pressed out and replaced????

 

Hey Fire Rescue... I'm in Waco. The place you can try is Waco Clutch Supply. Don't know if they ship or not. I kept all of my old parts because they said they could build a clutch out of my old stuff....new linings, heavier springs and such.

 

South Bend.

I have changed out WAY too many Valairs (as well as Center force ect) for people (friends who didnt listen) who thought they had gotten a better deal. some lasted 50k miles some failed at 5k NONE of them Lasted.


The SBC Con OFE with the Luk hub has been in many of my trucks one that was flawless @ 500 + hp with twins and hooked to a gooseneck it never missed a beat for close to 200k miles. all others have lasted into the 150k mile range when they get sold still working and holding mid 400hp applications.

Copy's are always interesting things kind of like the coparison between timken all steel caged bearings and the "supposed equivilent" Chinese copies of caged bearings that use plastic cages. Maybe the Valair will last, good luck but cross your fingers.


I let my 9-10 years of trouble free SBC experience serve as my peace of mind