Clutch Cover Confusion

[William2]

I am somewhat confused over clutch cover and plate sizes. I was under the impression that the clutch covers were all the same diameter but that a later mod was to fit a larger diameter 8 1/2" clutch plate. However, I read somewhere that clutch covers suited to the larger plate size all had to be skimmed down to the flywheel diameter to prevent them fouling the bell housing. I find this hard to believe as I thought the original Borg And Beck clutch assemblies were off the shelf parts??

[dougal9887]

The 5 speed Plus 2 uses the 8.5" clutch as standard. The pressure plate is, as you say, a straightforward standard fit part. Was Borg & Beck, now Delphi. The bolt and dowel holes are of course different to the smaller clutch assembly. I'm not sure whether or not the 8.5" pressure plate fouls the 4 speed bellhousing but I think the mod is to use the 8.5" friction plate with the smaller pressure plate to gain a greater friction area. Could be wrong here though as I've only ever had a 5 speed.
Dougal.

[RogerFrench]

I have an 8.5" driven plate with the original small cover. The pressure plate was surface ground to match the 8.5" plate, and a very small amount of the cover was removed in the process - not enough to worry about though.

[alan.barker]

I am somewhat confused over clutch cover and plate sizes. I was under the impression that the clutch covers were all the same diameter but that a later mod was to fit a larger diameter 8 1/2" clutch plate. However, I read somewhere that clutch covers suited to the larger plate size all had to be skimmed down to the flywheel diameter to prevent them fouling the bell housing. I find this hard to believe as I thought the original Borg And Beck clutch assemblies were off the shelf parts??

or fouling the Starter Bendix
Alan