The one I have fitted is part FTC5072 ... I can't find any alternative. I'm suspecting something weird is going on due to mating an older disco 1 engine to a newer defender r380 gearbox, bit I can't figure what!

Yep that's where I started too, then replaced it and did all the other stuff as above....

It's a valeo clutch, followed the instructions in Haynes for fitting, but you can't put it the wrong way round from what I can see as all the middle section of the friction plate sticks out on one side and this would foul against the flywheel... What you're describing though is very much my issue.

The newer defender ones are 98mm and the older (like what would be on disco 1 i guess) are 105mm. You find both types on eBay easily, my defender being newer had the short one so I tried the other. The guy who skimmed the flywheel suggested it partly because he'd taken a bit off as well and...

Hi folks, This has been a bit epic, ongoing drama of my clutch! Engine is a 300tdi from an old disco (swapped in a year or so back), gear box is the r380 from the 1997 defender. Basically story goes that the clutch started to drag, notably unable to roll backwards in 1st with clutch down...