Hey Dodgezilla.

How difficult was it to do the hydraulics? I only have about 16K on my truck, but reading posts regarding some of the failures, it could be that the hydraulics are the underlying culpret to early clutch failures. Maybe not enough hydraulic power for full dis-engagement. Some people have reported that their pedal seems to have changed, prior to clutch failures. If the hydraulics was not doing it's job, over time this by itself would contribute to disc wear.

I recall may years ago when hydraulics were introduced to the clutch world that the early designs did not have sufficient pressure/volume and it did cause early disc wear. Since then hydraulics have been greatly improved, but we 'dual disc' owners are really on the front edge of dual disc use. It will take some time for all this to pan out and find the things or bugs that undo what could be a really good design. Since early on hydraulics caused a greater amount of the complications with clutch discs, it to me would stand to reason the hydraulics could once again be the underlyings to issues. Doing the hydraulics might be a very productive mod in the overall long run of clutch life. Under stock power and minor added power the hydraulics are the key, then clutch surface itself comes into play.

I had someone do the install but the hydraulics was definitely not hard to do. The only issue is that it comes with a new reservoir but nowhere or no hardware to mount it. We tie-wrapped it to the wiring loom and it seems just fine there.....

I've got a con ofe in mine as well. It can get grabby at times in 1st and reverse when pulling heavy(20-30k lbs.), but it is managable once you get used to it and if you take your time with it.

I've had an OFE and an FE both (in two different trucks). They were both outstanding clutches. I also consider Peter with SouthBend a friend of mine. He has always treated me more than fair and gone the extra mile to make sure my truck stayed on the road.

However... when I smoked the OFE this last time, I put in a Zoom ZVT. I've been thoroughly impressed with it. It holds the power, drives like stock and was about half the price.

My friend Gary Croyle with Perfection Clutch is also a stand up guy. He's passionate about clutches and will talk clutch with you till you're sick of it.

So there's my .02. Again.. NOTHING wrong with an SBC clutch... just offering another comperable alternative.