[Excaliber]

Hmmmm, I'm still leaning "old school" on this issue. I don't like the idea of my throw out bearing touching the pressure plate unless I'm shifting.

...having had to replace a couple of throw out bearings in my time when the clutch was still perfectly good may be the reason.

I run a "return spring" on mine for that very reason, AND I keep the clutch adjusted for a little free play.

When I'm aggressively going through the gears I don't take my foot off the clutch, just let up on it, thus removing all the freeplay. PLUS the return spring does not act that fast. Not fast enough to take up the slack and provide free play between shifts up or down, on the street or the track when your playing or driving seriously.

However, on the highway, there is enough time for the spring to provide free play so the bearing isn't being spun for a miles and miles at a time.

Old school, they got it right the first time.

I bet the throw out bearing on my 427 side oiler is essentially the same materials and style of build today that it was in in the '60's.