Clutch - V8 (Description): Description and operation (page 4 of 4)

The drive plate is of the spring centred type and is sandwiched between the pressure plate and the flywheel. The drive plate has a splined hub which engages with the splines on the primary drive shaft from the gearbox. The hub is located in an inner plate which contains six compression damper springs. A spring retainer plate and a disc adaptor are secured together with stop pins which limit the angular deflection of the disc adaptor. Engine power is transmitted from the disc adaptor to the damper springs. The damper springs then transfer the power to the retainer plate and the hub. Friction washers are located between the hub, retainer plate and disc adaptor and provide further damping.

A spring steel plate is riveted to the disc adaptor and provides the attachment surface for the drive plate friction material. The friction material comprises discs which are secured with rivets to each side of the plate. The rivets are installed through recessed holes in the disc and emerge in recessed holes in the opposite disc. The drive plate is 267 mm (10.5 in) diameter and has a friction material manufactured from APTEC T385.