WTF is this: B&M clutch flite

[c.moo]

My stepbrother had one in a 33 ford drag car , just a shell , tube frame with a small block chevy that ran c/alter class back in late 60's , ran high 10's , use clutch in first and 2nd and third was automatic , it was a B&M trans and use the second and third push button , no other buttons and it had no reverse , back in them days you did your burn out before you staged or you have to push them back to starting line if you went pass it . Had no problems with it , I believe it had a neutral button to, been so long ago can't remember.

 

[peabodyracin]

I had seen a few at Fremont out West in the early 70’s. Similar setup on the GMC tranny they called a hydro stick I think? Shortly thereafter in Wisconsin a guy had one on a 727. Seemed to work well. He liked it because he could vary the launch rpm as he needed. I believe the explosion risk was not any worse than a conventional clutch car.

 

[dodgeboy440]

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.

The 727 or the FW/clutch?

727

 

[Sixpactogo]

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.

The one I had was a 2 door sedan. Flat head 6 with that Hy Drive or fluid drive transmission. I was only 15 or 16 and beat on it as much as I could. It never failed me but I only had it for about a year. I too remember it as being a good car but pretty gutless compared to the 60 Dart that replaced it.

 

[33 IMP]

I had seen a few at Fremont out West in the early 70’s. Similar setup on the GMC tranny they called a hydro stick I think? Shortly thereafter in Wisconsin a guy had one on a 727. Seemed to work well. He liked it because he could vary the launch rpm as he needed. I believe the explosion risk was not any worse than a conventional clutch car.

If I remember right......a hydrostick was based on the,old iron gm 4speed hydro trans (think fifties Olds Pontiac and GMC) with a manual valve body ( and a near 4.0 first gear!)
I think the nomenclature was clutch turbo for the 400 based version..

 

[33 IMP]

I had seen a few at Fremont out West in the early 70’s. Similar setup on the GMC tranny they called a hydro stick I think? Shortly thereafter in Wisconsin a guy had one on a 727. Seemed to work well. He liked it because he could vary the launch rpm as he needed. I believe the explosion risk was not any worse than a conventional clutch car.

Worse than a normal clutch car. You could explode the trans, in addition to the clutch/flywheel. At least the clutch/flwl had a scattershield.

 

[j-c-c-62]

The one I had was a 2 door sedan. Flat head 6 with that Hy Drive or fluid drive transmission. I was only 15 or 16 and beat on it as much as I could. It never failed me but I only had it for about a year. I too remember it as being a good car but pretty gutless compared to the 60 Dart that replaced it.

We are showing our age I believe, my daily driver was a 62 Polara 500 (Dart)

 

[PRND21]

Curious why?

It would be the same as a banzai start where you stood on the gas pedal and popped it into gear, exploded the trans a good part of the time.

 

[dodgeboy440]

It would be the same as a banzai start where you stood on the gas pedal and popped it into gear, exploded the trans a good part of the time.

Anybody remember doing a neutral drop ?!

Rev it up & drop it in drive ???

How many times did it take before the
Tranny was toast …..

ClutchFlite Did The Same Thing !
Without the benefit in the 60’s & 70’s of the
Heavy Duty Planateries , Drums , Clutches
Etc………
Nowdays with the 300M input & output shafts , Larger Planateries & Improved
Clutches & Bands with Synthetic Fluids
Stuff Holds Together Longer …..
Cool eh !
Post Some PIcs Of YOUR Mr.Norm Style
Fire Burnouts ……..Comeon …. We’re Waiting!

 

[lewtot184]

There wasn't any torque converter technology back then as there is today. Racing an automatic other than a hydro was somewhat new. Camshaft technology was taking off so an "adjustable " converter was thought be a solution. Back then I was a 4spd guy and didn't get too lost in it.

 

[493 Mike]

They exploded.

At the time, billet front clutch drums had not been developed. Not sure about bolt in sprags? Probably blankets and shields too.
Mike

 

[493 Mike]

Anybody remember doing a neutral drop ?!
I took out the over-running clutch in my 65 Newport in my parking spot behind the Dodge dealership I worked at. I can't remember how I got the 35 miles back home but, I got a good case and fixed the damage. Never tried that foolishness again!

Mike

Rev it up & drop it in drive ???

How many times did it take before the
Tranny was toast …..

ClutchFlite Did The Same Thing !
Without the benefit in the 60’s & 70’s of the
Heavy Duty Planateries , Drums , Clutches
Etc………
Nowdays with the 300M input & output shafts , Larger Planateries & Improved
Clutches & Bands with Synthetic Fluids
Stuff Holds Together Longer …..
Cool eh !
Post Some PIcs Of YOUR Mr.Norm Style
Fire Burnouts ……..Comeon …. We’re Waiting!

 

[Sixpactogo]

We are showing our age I believe, my daily driver was a 62 Polara 500 (Dart)

Oh..........I thought it was the younger folks showing their age by having no idea what we were talking about.

 

[Fran Blacker]

Motown Missile ran a clutchflite, don't know who made it.

 

[Sinitro]

If I remember right......a hydrostick was based on the,old iron gm 4speed hydro trans (think fifties Olds Pontiac and GMC) with a manual valve body ( and a near 4.0 first gear!)
I think the nomenclature was clutch turbo for the 400 based version..

U are correct...
Back then some cars ran the B&M hydo, but its 1st gear was too low besides being very heavy in weight..

Just my $0.02...

 

[33 IMP]

U are correct...
Back then some cars ran the B&M hydo, but its 1st gear was too low besides being very heavy in weight..

Just my $0.02...

My memory of the old B&M hydros were in the late fifties/early sixties blown gassers, usually with Olds or Hemi power.
(Well, not MY memory, I'm not THAT old! What I remember reading about racing in those times)
It wouldn't surprise me a bit to learn they didn't use first gear at all.

 

[fuely62]

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.

In the early days (60’s) of this brainstorm, I believe I was the test guy for B&M’s brainchild 727 clutchflite. The early edition they sent a template for you to cut out the case for installing a clutch fork. If I recall they also sent their own input shaft, which was modified to drive front pump. Long story short the idea was great, but they had not perfected how to handle all the pressure at the front pump area. After their many attempts to correct the problem and several instances of dumping trans oil at the starting line, needless to say, I scrapped the whole system.

 

[gtx6970]

I looked at a duster drag car project.
Hemi and a clutch flite

Best I remember talking to the guy.
He had blown far to many transmissions apart to feel safe driving it. And put the whole shebang up for sale.
Something about turning some insane rpms a 727 didn't like.
I'm sure the instantaneous shock load didn't help.

The trans tunnel in that car was mangled something fierce.

This was late 70s early 80s timeframe

 

[moparx]

did many a "neutral drop" with the 62-64 727's back "in the day", and was VERY lucky to not have one come up through the floor !
also did the "go as fast as you can in reverse, then punch 1st", so i could lay down fantastic "J" patches !
the things i did, trying to do myself in................must still have a "purpose" for being here today..........

 

[Sinitro]

did many a "neutral drop" with the 62-64 727's back "in the day", and was VERY lucky to not have one come up through the floor !
also did the "go as fast as you can in reverse, then punch 1st", so i could lay down fantastic "J" patches !
the things i did, trying to do myself in................must still have a "purpose" for being here today..........

To my knowledge certain drag strips and maybe the NHRA outlawed the Neutral Drop Start, very hard on certain components...
Just my $0.02...