My First Clutch Job: 1937 Pontiac Business Coupe. Need Help.

Was told clutch was replaces 15 years ago, 9 springs were new, car did 500 miles during those years. Body/Chassis is 1937, motor is a 51 239. This is what I found:

From the 49-54 Service Manual:

There was no bearing retainer found.

Clutch cover assembly is 37 style.

T/O bearing is carbon style, again 37 style.

Converted to 12V, did not count the flywheel teeth, but will.

Light scratched outer perimeter of flywheel, due to two protrusions of the clutch plate.

Clutch plate looks worn to me, but I am no expert.

Clutch plate was installed correctly, "nose" was towards the crankshaft.

Pilot bearing was "loose" meaning it fell off after transmission input shaft came out... Dark in color.

Some of the 6 springs inside the plate were worn, that's what was rubbing on the flywheel...

This is from the 49-54 Manual:

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[TD=class: alt1, bgcolor: #F2F2F2]"The clutch driven plate is 9-1/2" in diameter for all 6 cyl engines except sedan deliveries and taxis which use a 10" plate. A 10" clutch driven plate is used on all 8 cyl engines except for 49 models which used a 9-1/2" diameter plate. The 49 8 cyl used a 10" plate for taxis and sedan deliveries"

37 Manual states:

Diameter of disc; 10"

Area of facing: 50 sq. in

Facing size 10"x6"

Thickness 1/8"

Release bearing: Carbon Ring

Release levers: 3 adjustable

Number of Pressure Springs: 9

Clutch fork is 37 style

Symptoms were not fully released clutch. Was told it was just and adjustment issue, but everything I tried did not work. So I took it to the next step, dropped the transmission and got to the clutch... My questions are:

Does the flywheel need to come out, get resurfaced, or should it be replaced?

Should I replace everything with the 49-54 style as illustrated in the manual? That way I get the newer style diaphragm cover assembly, T/O bearing and support?

Or should I get a new clutch plate, same carbon style T/O bearing and put it all back together the same way? Engine for now stays the same, so I tranny.

Thanks for your help... I hope someone can shed some info, as I said this is all new to me...

Here are the photos:

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The 10" clutch is the big problem...the flywheel and pressure plate appear to be for a 9.5" clutch.

Thanks Willie... It was also brought to my attention the orientation of the clutch disc was installed backwards: The "long" part was towards the engine. This is how I removed it from the engine:

<a href="http://s412.photobucket.com/user/2xxnoxy/media/37clutch4_zps9ce3731f.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp201/2xxnoxy/37clutch4_zps9ce3731f.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 37clutch4_zps9ce3731f.jpg"/></a>

There were no marks on the flywheel bolts. However there were marks on the other side, bottom side of the pressure plate.

<a href="http://s412.photobucket.com/user/2xxnoxy/media/8cd436d2-c103-4717-a1a3-21008ff4db9d_zpsaeaa13cd.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp201/2xxnoxy/8cd436d2-c103-4717-a1a3-21008ff4db9d_zpsaeaa13cd.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 8cd436d2-c103-4717-a1a3-21008ff4db9d_zpsaeaa13cd.jpg"/></a>

The clutch disc is a Veelok 1057 10" diameter. The bottom of the 6 springs have made a groove 1/4" deep into the pressure plate... You can see the springs and the pressure plate... That was the scratching sound I could hear when pressing the clutch. I don't think rebuilding my core to a 9.5" diameter will completely fix the problem. The veelok center section is not the correct height for my application. Found a 55-62 unit 10 spline GM # 3769723 later replaced by 3815218 suitable for non heavy duty 236 6 cyl. If I just replace the clutch disc, then the pressure plate surface area and the clutch disc, will not "align" properly, the clutch disc will be "off" inboard by 0.335", as the grab area in my 10" pressure plate is 2.02" and the 9.5" clutch disc's are is 2.355". Is that aceptable, or do I need to replace the pressure plate with a 9.5" unit?

<a href="http://s412.photobucket.com/user/2xxnoxy/media/a1_zpsa2d839f5.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp201/2xxnoxy/a1_zpsa2d839f5.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo a1_zpsa2d839f5.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s412.photobucket.com/user/2xxnoxy/media/a2_zps1851b3f3.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp201/2xxnoxy/a2_zps1851b3f3.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo a2_zps1851b3f3.jpg"/></a>

Was it installed backwards? Was this the reason it wasn't disengaging?

The short side should go toward the flywheel, but this combo might not 'fit' that way either. Also the flywheel appears to be drilled for different size pressure plates/clutches. Is there a source for all of the correct parts?