For the collision-induced dissociation of small cationic aluminum clusters, the release of Al+ is known to dominate. An exception is Al-8(+), where we find the neutral atom evaporation to be energetically favorable, and to couple strongly with the Al+ release. These experimental results are discussed in the frame of the Clemenger-Nilsson electronic shell model. We find the electronic shell model to offer a consistent interpretation of the energy dependence of the dissociation dynamics of Al-8(+), if the crucial role of collisional deformation is taken into account. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.