[s-cars] Clutches...Learning the hard way

[CLAG500 at aol.com]

Hey Guys,

    Hopefully this tragic story will save somebody some grief someday.
    Well, I finally solved my clutch riddle and shortly after created a new
one.  I was having trouble getting the trasmission to draw down on the engine
without binding the flywheel. When I ordered my clutch kit from Carolina
Clutch this winter I was told there were 2 part #s for the clutch on my 1993
S4 and that the only difference was that one had a greater clamping force.
So, naturally I got the stronger one. Well, after having the trans on and off
of the motor 3 times I finally decided to compare the 2 pressure plates.
(important point #1): The new one is 1/4 inch thicker and was hitting the
bellhousing on the way in. (actually cracked one of the bolt holes). So
I....(if your the least bit squeemish you may not want to read the rest of
this). I decided to grind out the bell housing to make this oversized clutch
fit.  (important point #2) The bell housing is not nearly as thick as it
appears. Oh S#!T!! I ground right through it. So my new riddle is: Where can
I get a trans cheap? Any ideas, suggestions or much deserved ridicule would
be appreciated.

Chad "The Transeater" Tobin