Hi berger...I am firmly of the opinion that the plunger clutch is a far more substantial and better engineered clutch than the later S/A type with the pressed steel centre. I am sure BSA designed the plunger clutch with heavy sidecar use in mind, so it is an altogether more robust unit. The mainshaft spline fitting is far superior in terms of reliability and ease of maintenance. How many taper shafts end up with butchered keyways? Lots of 'em.
I would not consider myself a harsh critic of the early S/A clutch, but like beers, some are better than others at doing the job. As you say, set up well it is OK, so maybe it gets the stick because of poor pattern parts.
I suppose at the end of the day they changed a winning formula when the engineers were over ruled by the cost accountants.
Trev.. SRM and others offer bearing type pressure plates for S/A clutches but I have never seen one for the plunger plate. Standard set up works fine, but it is a lot of load on a single point of contact, not good.
Roady, a well presented motor which has obviously had a lot of time and care put into it. It will be a tight fit getting it into the frame in one piece, so good luck with that. I prefer to load the crankcase and gearbox assembly in first, then add the barrels and head. Positioning the timing side engine plate can be a struggle, also check the mounting bolt threads under the gearbox are good,and nice and easy to slip the bolts in, its no fun under there if the threads are knackered and you have retap a thread in situ or get the whole thing out again.
From the picture I assume there is no oil in it. No only joking, its a well deserved thumbs up from me.
Swarfy.