WTF is this: B&M clutch flite

[rolling_Thunder]

Alrighty gens - random question for the day. I got handed something that I have heard about in the past and since done a little research on - the B&M(?) Clutch-Flite for the 727 — I guess it replaces the torque converter with a traditional clutch set up - apparently a ticking time bomb -

Anyone here have any experience with them? I’m not looking to use it but rather trying to figure out if I got handed a complete set up or if it’s just a bucket of parts -

Yes yes I’ll post pics when I get some free time.

 

[493 Mike]

50 years ago I went thru a Fairbanks clutch flite. You only need the clutch to launch and stop movement. With todays converter science they are obsolete.
Mike

 

[padam]

I think people are doing the opposite these days.

 

[33 IMP]

Yep. Converters in front of lenco's, jeffco's, and Bruno's

Clutch flites were sometimes used behind GM engines, before the turbo400 came out. 727 was the strongest, converter science was almost non-existent, so a clutch gave a better launch.

 

[Bird 426]

So what was the 1949 Chrysler New Yorker or Windsor trans? They had a clutch, reverse, neutral, 2nd and 3rd gear. You could leave it in 2nd when stopped with the clutch out. I always called them a clutch flight.

 

[Sixpactogo]

I had a 54 Plymouth Cranbrook when I was a kid. It had what they called Hy Drive. It was the same thing. Had a clutch and three on the tree. You could use it as a standard shift or once in gear, you could stop at a stop sign or whatever and not have to put the clutch in. It would just take off in what ever gear you were in. Similar to an automatic but it didn't shift up or down by itself.

 

[MWbirdLOVER70]

50 years ago I went thru a Fairbanks clutch flite. You only need the clutch to launch and stop movement. With todays converter science they are obsolete.
Mike

Kid at tech school had one in his. 70 drag cuda but that car he blew one apart

 

[Daves69]

The MP Chassis manual has a short overview by B & M and a 22-point setup/spec list if that's any value.

 

[j-c-c-62]

I had a 54 Plymouth Cranbrook when I was a kid. It had what they called Hy Drive. It was the same thing. Had a clutch and three on the tree. You could use it as a standard shift or once in gear, you could stop at a stop sign or whatever and not have to put the clutch in. It would just take off in what ever gear you were in. Similar to an automatic but it didn't shift up or down by itself.

I had a 54 Cranbrook? SW in HS to haul my go Kart, it was odd for the time, but don't remember any downsides.

 

[Sinitro]

The Clutchflite was an automatic transmission scheme developed by B&M (Van Nuys, CA) in the 60s specifically for drag racing, usually a Mopar running a Hemi or Max Wedge.
It was basically a 727 Chrysler torqueflite that had a shortened bellhousing. In place of a torque converter, the Clutchflite used a clutch and heavy flywheel setup.. There was a spider assembly to drive the transmission pump. The scheme was that you could leave as hard as a stick car, while having the consistency and speed of an automatic. It was used in the mid-60s because torque converter technology was still pretty primitive, and most race cars used a manual shift and clutch setup. Later banned by the NHRA.

 

[lewtot184]

Are you folks sure b&m invented them?

 

[Sinitro]

Are you folks sure b&m invented them?

Maybe somebody else came up with the scheme..
But B&M was the 1st one I recall for drag racing applications,..
Also note that the same scheme was applied to other brands drive-trains including Ford and GM.
Maybe somebody else beside B&M was doing it, don't know about that..

 

[lewtot184]

I remember some people in the indy area working with the clutchflite and was under the impression that they were instrumental in the concept. Could be wrong. That's been many years ago for me.

 

[j-c-c-62]

The Clutchflite was an automatic transmission scheme developed by B&M (Van Nuys, CA) in the 60s specifically for drag racing, usually a Mopar running a Hemi or Max Wedge....................
Later banned by the NHRA.

Curious why?

 

[rolling_Thunder]

The MP Chassis manual has a short overview by B & M and a 22-point setup/spec list if that's any value.

That would 100% be useful to me

 

[Rishi]

Are you folks sure b&m invented them?

I'm not certain they invented the product, but they produced them, marketed them heavily and put them on the map. They were the "go to" for this type of transmission and application in the day.

 

[33 IMP]

Curious why?

They exploded.

 

[Daves69]

That would 100% be useful to me

Ancient info from the '70s DC Racing Manual. Also in later editions of chassis. Not sure if it was in earlier Hustle Stuff.

 

[zyzzyx]

I bought a B&M Clutch-Flite in 1975 for $2600.00 along with an E&R clutch, pressure plate and flywheel.
I was building a "Race Car". Glad I never got to use it! I sold the entire setup, brand new to a fellow
member here about three years ago. Don Prudhomme ran one in a couple of his funny cars. They were
pretty strong and didn't waste any time shifting. They are illegal for racing now because the H.P. levels
that we have reached with better parts available. Mine was brand new and never used. I just put all of the
parts together so at the right time I could put it all together. Glad I never did though, because I still have
the 68 GTX that I was going to ruin and chop up!

 

[j-c-c-62]

They exploded.

The 727 or the FW/clutch?