Im sure that Im not the only or first person to stumble upon this ,but while sorting out clutch problems I discovered that the 89 Dakota used a diaphragm clutch that looks like it will swap with slant clutch(9 1/8 for the 4 cyl.-10 3/8 for the v-6).From the pictures the throwout bearing looks identical to the slant and the disk is 1-23 just like the slant.My local O,REILLYS is ordering both clutchs in so I can compare to the stock setup.
The reason behind wanting a diaphragm clutch is easier clutch action and a possible better setup for a future hydraulic setup.
So........has anyone tried this yet?
HyperValiant

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1960 Hyper-Pac Valiant(rolling test-bed)
1963 Valiant V2OO(Son's summer project,- he just turned 15 )
1972 Valiant 4dr(Daughter Kelly's repair in progress)
1974 Valiant (v8) daughter Kelly's work in progress

Not to my knowledge. I'll be a bit surprised if it's the same flywhl bolt pattern. Diaphragm clutches are nice. I have one from Specclutch.com, but haven't used it yet.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Well,the 10 3/8 Dakota clutch has different pattern but the smaller clutch will be here tomorrow and I compare that one.The reason Im pushing for the Dak clutch is that is readily available and affordable.
HyperValiant

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1960 Hyper-Pac Valiant(rolling test-bed)
1963 Valiant V2OO(Son's summer project,- he just turned 15 )
1972 Valiant 4dr(Daughter Kelly's repair in progress)
1974 Valiant (v8) daughter Kelly's work in progress

Understood. That will be very cool if it works.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

yes yes yes...any info on a swap like this would be great..without going cheap is there a after market swap for this..

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Its so nice out side, I think I'll go lay under my car..

So close but so far away........but not all is lost.I got to look at the 9 1/8 Dak clutch today and the mounting holes on the pressure plate are about an 1/8 off to the smaller side but it is compact enough to fit even the early A-body bellhousings,the t.o. bearing is practically identicle to the standard A-body part with the only difference being the surface that contacts the fingers of the clutch is slightly rounded.In the relaxed state,the fingers on the diaphragm plate sits about 3/16 higher than the Band B pressure plate ,I dont think that is enough to cause issues.
As for the mismatched mounting holes,why couldnt I simply have the flywheel redrilled to fit the Dak clutch? This route would give an option for clutchs plus give a readily available clutch that is also a diaphragm unit.
The reason all of this started was that I was having trouble with my chinese made 10 inch B and B clutch realeasing properly making my 60 Valiant most unenjoyable to drive so I decided to replace the clutch with somthing better and possibly help out other A-body owners.
O.K.,now Im ready for any and all comments,suggestions,pokes in th eye,or rotten fruit .
HyperValiant

_________________
1960 Hyper-Pac Valiant(rolling test-bed)
1963 Valiant V2OO(Son's summer project,- he just turned 15 )
1972 Valiant 4dr(Daughter Kelly's repair in progress)
1974 Valiant (v8) daughter Kelly's work in progress

O.K, Im gonna work on this conversion but it will be after the Bristol race,I have a spare fly wheel and will work with that so that the swap will be a quick affair.I will report back with results.
HyperValiant

_________________
1960 Hyper-Pac Valiant(rolling test-bed)
1963 Valiant V2OO(Son's summer project,- he just turned 15 )
1972 Valiant 4dr(Daughter Kelly's repair in progress)
1974 Valiant (v8) daughter Kelly's work in progress

hmmmmm..cool,cant wait..good luck

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Its so nice out side, I think I'll go lay under my car..

Ok.Im,pulling the plug on this particular project,not because of being undoable,but because Specclutch has a nice 9 inch diaphragm setup that will take all of the abuse that I can give it.The Specclutch is $354 shipped which is quite a bit more than a parts store unit but it is more clutch than a parts store unit and I wont have to change it in a year.
As for the Dakota unit it would be simple deal to redrill a stock flywheel to fit and all of the rest of the dimensions are almost identical the factory B&B clutch,it would be a good setup for a driver or cruiser but not sure about somthing thats gonna get beat on.
HyperValiant

_________________
1960 Hyper-Pac Valiant(rolling test-bed)
1963 Valiant V2OO(Son's summer project,- he just turned 15 )
1972 Valiant 4dr(Daughter Kelly's repair in progress)
1974 Valiant (v8) daughter Kelly's work in progress