How much can a 948 clutch handle?

[1000wannabe]

The previous owner of my Series 2 obviously wanted a later car but went about it a different way.
My car is a '56 Series 2.. with a 1098..fitted to either a 1000 smooth case gearbox with a Series 2 shifter, or, a Series 2 box and shifter with 1000 ratios...
I suspect the latter as he wrote on the side, the date he changed to 1000 ratios. Diff from what I can tell is a 1000 4.55 ratio.

From what I've read on here, I'm assuming he kept the 948 flywheel/clutch otherwise it wouldn't all work. Is that correct?

I will be soon fitting the towbar back on and will be doing a long road trip next year towing a mini trailer. In preparation, I'm going through everything..
A couple of times recently I've been climbing relatively steep hills locally (which it does quite well), but could of sworn when I put my foot down before eventually deciding to change down, that I heard a little slip..
Can the 948 standard clutch handle the 1098? Will towing cause issues? Is there a heavier duty clutch available if needed?

Cheers
Chris

[olonas]

I can only relate my experience. My car has a 1098cc engine and ribbed gearbox. It was a 948cc from the factory in 1962. The engine still had the thin backplate a 948cc clutch/flywheel and the original differential. The clutch worked fine for the 20+ years of my ownership. No advice to offer re towing but after detecting some noise from the bell housing the clutch, backplate and flywheel are now correct.
The noise was from the 948cc friction plate that was very close to failing. The rivets and holes were worn which meant that the outer friction disc was moving relative to the inner splined part.

[philthehill]

The 948cc Minor clutch can be upgraded by fitting the Triumph Spitfire 4 (Mk2) clutch pressure plate to a 948cc Minor flywheel.
The Spitfire clutch cover has 9 springs which are also stronger.
New Minor clutches now have in the main 6 springs.
If you can find a 6 spring clutch cover with the additional 3 holes the cover can be modified to 9 springs with ease providing you use the cups and springs from a spare cover.
No modifications are required when fitting the Spitfire clutch cover.
The 1098cc clutch cover will not fit into the 948cc smooth case gearbox bell housing so the 948cc clutch assy and flywheel has to be retained.
With the upgraded Spitfire 1147cc clutch cover fitted to the 948cc flywheel the clutch will handle the 1098cc and any towing requirements with ease.
The 9 spring clutch cover was also fitted to the Reliant Kitten.
Below is a Spitfire 4 mk2 9 spring clutch cover.

Spitfire 4 mk2 clutch cover.JPG (89.21 KiB) Viewed 1153 times

[1000wannabe]

Thanks Phil, that's great information.
I'm not sure how readily available those spitfire clutches are in Australia, but it's good starting point.
Presumably I retain the 948 clutch disc?
Of course I have no idea what's fitted at present. I managed to get the old girl registered again today after 12 years off the road so will put some miles on and see how she behaves. Seems a bit thirsty to me so far having used I'd say about 1/3rd tank to do 90km at 80kph.


Cheers
Chris

[philthehill]

Correct - you retain the 948cc centre plate/disc which will more than adequately transmit the power.