These questions arose over the past few days, and I came to my own conclusions, but I'd like some input from other people who know a bit about the modular clutches.

1. In a modular clutch unit, does the clutch disk just move around, or is it held in place by the pressure plate and flywheel being riveted together?

2. If somehow a clutch disk had gotten offcenter, would it re-center it self when installed in the car, or is it basically junk?

3. If the clutch disk was off center, would it make the car vibrate? Since the flywheel would be turning and the input shaft in the clutch would be slightly off center.

4. Would a possible fix be to grind and punch out the rivets, re-align everything, and bolt it back together?

I'm pretty sure I already know the answers to these questions, but I need some reassurance. Thanks.

Originally posted by Dave41079
1. In a modular clutch unit, does the clutch disk just move around, or is it held in place by the pressure plate and flywheel being riveted together?

I assume you mean when it's shipped, right? When it's shipped, yes, the pressure plate tangs (or forks or whatever they're called) put pressure on the disk and presumably hold it in position. Inside the car, the input shaft goes through the center of the clutch disk, thus, holding it in position.

2. If somehow a clutch disk had gotten offcenter, would it re-center it self when installed in the car, or is it basically junk?

If you are able to install it, the input shaft will be through the disk and the rest of the assembly will be bolted up and therefore everything would be centered.

3. If the clutch disk was off center, would it make the car vibrate? Since the flywheel would be turning and the input shaft in the clutch would be slightly off center.

see answer above.

4. Would a possible fix be to grind and punch out the rivets, re-align everything, and bolt it back together?

You can do this. However, it shouldn't be necessary. Sounds like you're very worried about ordering a modular clutch and it coming in w/ the clutch disk off center. I can't say it won't happen, but it shouldn't. They may even put a spacer in as part of the packaging that retains it in the middle. I dont' know if they do or not, but I highly doubt you have much to worry about with the disk being uncentered.

Originally posted by Dave41079 1. In a modular clutch unit, does the clutch disk just move around, or is it held in place by the pressure plate and flywheel being riveted together?

The mod clutch is rivited, meaning the pressure plate and flywheel are rivited together, instead of bolted. The pressure from the entire unit being together, keeps the clutch disk tightly between the two pieces. It will never be able to move by hand or anything like that. There is around 1000 lbs of pressure on the disk,from the pressure plate.

2. If somehow a clutch disk had gotten offcenter, would it re-center it self when installed in the car, or is it basically junk?

I can't think of anyway it could get off center, with that much force pushing against it.

3. If the clutch disk was off center, would it make the car vibrate? Since the flywheel would be turning and the input shaft in the clutch would be slightly off center.

As above, there is really no possible way for it to get off center. If the clutch is on the trans, and you can get the trans mated up to the motor, and everything bolts in fine, then everything is perfectly centered

4. Would a possible fix be to grind and punch out the rivets, re-align everything, and bolt it back together?

Yes, you can do this, I have done it, and several others too. You do need to devise a tool to center the clutch disk when tightening the pressure plate to the flywheel though..

Here is the reason why I brought it up. A friend of mine on this board, Gorkoracing, bought a "slightly used" clutch from another member. When I got to his house to help him install it, I took a look at it and the clutch plate was off center. We ended up grinding the rivets off, straightening everything up, and then bolting it together. It should work fine that way, but I just wanted some other people to prove that the clutch plate SHOULD NOT move around. He blatantly said it should, and that I was an idiot. I had that happen to my car when I missed 4th and hit 2nd at around 100mph. It made the car vibrate fiercely, and I pulled out the clutch, it was off center by about a quarter of an inch. I replaced it and it worked fine after that.

Originally posted by Dave41079
Here is the reason why I brought it up. A friend of mine on this board, Gorkoracing, bought a "slightly used" clutch from another member. When I got to his house to help him install it, I took a look at it and the clutch plate was off center. We ended up grinding the rivets off, straightening everything up, and then bolting it together. It should work fine that way, but I just wanted some other people to prove that the clutch plate SHOULD NOT move around. He blatantly said it should, and that I was an idiot. I had that happen to my car when I missed 4th and hit 2nd at around 100mph. It made the car vibrate fiercely, and I pulled out the clutch, it was off center by about a quarter of an inch. I replaced it and it worked fine after that.

Only thing that I can think of to make that happen, is when the person went to pull the trans, he did not take the clutch off of the flexplate, and just left it on there. Dropping the trans with the input shaft still in the clutch, could possibly cause this, not to mention possilbe clutch damage. Thats why non modular cutches are such a PITA to put on with the motor still in the car..you have to get the trans input shaft to line up with the clutch disk splines, and try not to put the trans in at an angle. With a modular clutch, you put the clutch onto the trans input shaft, then put the trans to the block, then secure the clutch to the flexplate with those 4 bolts..