Early RC10GT clutch springs ?

[RC10th]

Can anyone shed some light on these clutch springs? I have only ever seen two, maybe three in total. They are bent too nice to be home made and I have never seen literature anywhere about them. None of my manuals show them.

[klavy69]

there were a few pix of different setups like that in the old defunkt CR RC10GT boards but no longer have any of the pix from back then. Maybe Justin remembers and will chime in next time he checks the board

Todd

[justinspeed79]

They are genuine associated parts. Only used for a little while before associated (apparently) decided they were'nt needed, and stopped using/making them. Early kits have them, and they were available separately like any other spare part. I have a couple early kits that have them, and one individually packaged one, but it has the yellow Yokomo packaging for the Japanese market. The nip one I have is the only one I have ever seen, so I think it's safe to say they are extremely rare.

[RC10th]

I thought they were a factory piece but found it strange that I have never seen them in any documents. It's a shame Associated did away with them as it seems like a brilliant tunable set up. I never liked the way the stock shoes drag on the bell at idle.

[justinspeed79]

I believe they were in the early manuals, and I vaguely remember there being a supplement card when they stopped using them. I'll see if i can find anything on it in any of my paperwork. I believe the reason they stopped using them is because they dragged on the clutch bell pretty bad. I've seen some that were razor thin from rubbing against the bell. In addition to the mechanical problems that created it also created a potential high frequency radio interference issue. Imo, it was a good idea on paper, but not executed well mechanically.

[romulus22]

Was going through my manuals recently. Then digging through old threads out of boredom. Thought I’d add some pictures for clarification. I remember my first kit came with the spring wire. I didn’t find it that hard to bend into shape. I thought mine turned out pretty well for about a 14 yo kid. Then again, maybe I just remember bending up extras....

[tdi_captain]

If you're looking for ways to increase your idle, or get a harder acceleration (think stall converter), try finding an MIP 4 n 1 clutch. I had great results with this style, easy to tune the engine as well because the spring keeps the shoes closed a little tighter than stock so you can run an higher idle. Good for bashing around.

https://www.amainhobbies.com/mip-associated-rc10gt-4n1-clutch-kit-mip3012/p100175


Associated also made a 4 puck clutch, no springs. And i remember it being a very small flywheel. Made it hard for the starter box wheel to reach. Good for racing, quick on the throttle. Hated it on the street or backyard messing around.

[romulus22]

Consolidating parts and boxes and just going through stuff. I happened upon this supplemental sheet I know I’ve seen a hundred times, just never really read it. I don’t know when they started including these but I’m assuming it was early on by the way it’s worded.

[RC10th]

They must have liked the number 3 cut and gone to the 4 shoe flywheel shortly after.

[romulus22]

Team drivers? I’ve never seen the 4 shoe in a kit?

[RC10TforLife]

Team drivers? I’ve never seen the 4 shoe in a kit?

That could be. I have only found one of the 4 shoe AE flywheels for sale and it was from a former team driver. I wish they were more available (like so many things...)

[GoMachV]

We couldn’t give them away. I see them in the bottom of old parts bins often. Looks like they are valuable now tho lol!

[RC10th]

The MIP 4-n-1 clutch was so good we never bothered with the 4 shoe, and you didn't need a different flywheel.

[GoMachV]

Yep the 4 in 1 clutch was my favorite as well. Ran mine trailing with weights and it was perfect

[RC10TforLife]

The MIP 4-n-1 clutch was so good we never bothered with the 4 shoe, and you didn't need a different flywheel.

I wasn't ever able to get a MIP 4n1. I'd be happy to snag either one nowadays though, if they can be found. They are definitely fleeting if and when they do show up for sale.