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.