Clutch System: Description
The Viper R/T10 clutch is a hydraulically operated, dual dry disc design (1 and 2). The clutch consists of a pressure plate with an internal (captured) friction disc (3) and a removable friction disc (1) that contacts the flywheel. The clutch pressure plate and discs are serviced as an assembly.
The flywheel is an assembly of several components: an aluminum armature (1) that links the clutch friction surface to the engine crankshaft and serves as a heat sink to cool the steel friction plate; a steel friction plate (2) riveted to the rearward face of the armature; a steel ring gear (3) for the starter motor (4) to mesh with to rotate the engine; retaining clips riveted to the armature to prevent the ring gear from rotating on the flywheel in extreme cold conditions; and six dowel pins (5) to positively position the clutch plate cover on the flywheel. The Flywheel is serviced as an assembly.
The hydraulic system also consists of several components: a master cylinder attached to the dash panel and linked to the clutch pedal; a feed tube linking the brake master cylinder reservoir to the clutch master cylinder;
a Peak Torque Limiter (2) that regulates hydraulic return flow to reduce torque shock through the driveline during an aggressive launch pull away and downshifting; a braided stainless steel pressure hose linking the PTL to the slave cylinder;
a telescoping slave cylinder (1) attached to the front of the transmission to compress the clutch diaphragm to actuate the clutch;
and spring-clip style hydraulic couplers that require no special tool to uncouple. The hydraulic plumbing is routed to the slave cylinder from the master cylinder in a consistent downward slope to avoid trapping air bubbles in the hydraulic circuit. Air in the system will vent into the brake master cylinder reservoir.
The clutch master cylinder (1) is equipped with a magnetic position switch (2) that detects when the clutch is: slightly actuated to deactivate the speed control; and fully actuated to allow the engine to be started. The switch is clipped to the side of the clutch master cylinder and simply pries off using a suitable trim stick.