I have a 1987 Dodge W250 manual transmission and a 318 engine. The clutch has severe chatter when starting to move. I removed the clutch cover plate to inspect the clutch. From the clutch pictures it seems like the clutch components are in pretty good shape. The three pictures are different positions of the clutch as I rotated the engine. Would you get severe clutch chatter if the crankshaft pilot bushing was left out? Did all the 318 engines from that vintage have crankshafts that were machined to accept pilot bushings. I am thinking the previous owner left out the clutch crankshaft pilot bushing with a clutch change.

1987 Dodge w250 Clutch

1987 Dodge W250 Clutch

1987 Dodge W250 Clutch

 

Clutch looks pretty new. Was it changed recently? If it was, then I would expect that the flywheel wasn't resurfaced..... If it wasn't, then I wouldn't be surprised to see 'hot spots' on the flywheel.

If the clutch is fairly aggressive, that may be normal behavior too.

 

When I purchased the Dodge W250 recently I was told of items that were replaced and the clutch was never mentioned. I don't know anything about the clutch.

 

Looks pretty thick in the gaps there.... I would doubt it was original..... Not sure if there is much you can do about the chatter, aside from replacing it. Some of the 'grabby' fellers are just like that....