Hydraulic Clutch Options

Discussion in 'Technical' started by lm14, Jan 27, 2014.

  1. lm14

    lm14 Member

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    Getting ready to buy my hydraulic clutch setup. '69.5 Mav with a top loader 4 speed behind a 351 Cleveland.

    I want to know what you have had good experiences with. What brand of setup, where to get it, etc. I DON'T want opinions or what you read, all I want is from actual installations. What problems you had, what to look for, who to deal with.

    If you have actually put a hydraulic setup in, let me know which way to head. I'm ready to buy!

    Thanks,
    SPark
     
  2. lm14

    lm14 Member

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    Really? Nobody has actually done a hydraulic clutch? I was really hoping to get some first hand experience before placing an order.

    SPark
     
  3. dyent

    dyent Member

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    I think you may have scared off anyone from posting any replies via your original post :huh:
    anyways, here is what I replied to fourbrrl last year, it was under the Transmission thread, you can take it for whatever its worth.....I actually have this set up, have not installed the Modern Driveline unit yet as I am working on other areas of my 73 Comet. This is pretty much a bolt in set up, only have to modify the steering column block-off plates, its those 2 halves (collar) that bolt around the column at the firewall.......
    have to trim one corner off for clearance of MD's mounting plate.

    Originally Posted by fourbrrl [​IMG]
    I've been searching and searching for a hyd clutch conversion kit for my 71 prostreet grabber w/ 357" 392HP windsor. TIRED of the HEAVY 351c boss c-6 and custom making headers to fit the monster bellhousing. I custom made some ( restrictive @ shock tower ) headers back in 93.

    WANT to get it back on street, but want to re- install my CR toploader 4 sp, make some coil overs and notch shock towers to get some GOOD flowing headers to reside in there.

    will the 64 - 68 kits work ? or should I go with the 70 - 73 kit ?

    fabrication is no issue, with plasma cutters mig, stick welders, and 41 years of maverick specialty for me.......I HAD to be the guy in HS to EMBARASS the studs with novas, camaros, etc. on fri / sat nights on dates with the "hot" chicks....ruined MANY :rofl2:
    Just noticed your thread, so you may have found something already, but this is what I have for my set up.......

    Ram Clutches Hydraulic T/O bearing p/n: 78136
    I perferred this over McLeod's (which I first used back in the late 80's), since it slides over the stock input bearing retainer snout, however, you may have to machine the snout down slightly. This is for use with the 1 1/16" input shaft and will work with 10 1/2" or 11" long style pressure plate.....also using Lakewood 15200 blowproof bellhousing.
    McLeod's unit was designed to replace the input retainer assembly and more of a hassle to adjust correctly......

    Master Cylinder Clutch/slave, I used Modern Driveline's set up
    p/n: MD-910-0042
    this set up is totally new design which simplifies installation to your Mav/Comet pedal assembly. It was designed for Mav/Comet using the original hole where the clutch rod/boot comes out of the firewall. Plus it has a great mechanical linkage set up to the pedals, fully adjustable, more compact slave to mount on the firewall, much better than anything else on the market.

    Ram T/O around $150 and Modern Driveline $275. check out their websites, I purchased the T/O on eBay and Master Cylinder kit directly from Modern www.moderndriveline.com
     
    Last edited: Jan 29, 2014
  4. Bryant

    Bryant forgot more than learned

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    ive done 4 hydraulic clutches in mavericks now. each one had a lot of custom made stuff to get it done.
    one was with a stock pedal.
    i made angle wedges that work with both the cnc and willwood master cylinders to get the push rod at the right angle to the pedal.
    i make a pedal that works similar to the stock one but a bit better with how it lines up with the push rod.
    i have a t5 slave cylinder mount that works with cnc or speedway slave cylinders, that is available for purchase.

    so no kit to recommend to you as i dont have my kit components produced and ready for sale
     
  5. mavgrab302

    mavgrab302 MCCI Florida State Rep

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    Google rosehill performance I bought everything I need from there for less than $300 dollars... I will be installing the t-5 on my new engine in the very near future...
     
  6. dyent

    dyent Member

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    he was looking at installing a Toploader 4 speed behind a 351 C.......:thumbs2:
     
  7. dan gregory

    dan gregory Member

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    Maybe not this year,but next year I`ll have the same problem.I already know I`m going to use a McCloud soft lock clutch but will have to see what happens w/ a trans,not sure what I`ll end up with.Really want a liberty 5 spd or I`ll take an older Nash,but has to be ford configuration,don~t want any mock up problems.
     
  8. 351 celi

    351 celi Member

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    I modified a pedal assembly from an 80's corolla, corolla slave cylinder, fabricated fork rod and slave mount, t5 fork, and a landcruiser master cylinder. Under $100, pedal feel and clutch engagement is better than my t5 2010 mustang. This is in my mav with T5 and 351W, it gets beat on an driven to work most of the week.
     
    Last edited: Feb 1, 2014
  9. maverick572

    maverick572 New Member

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    When I had a 351c in my car with toploader , had Lakewood bellhousing , I used Mcleod's hydraulic setup . the kit came with a master cylinder, which I mounted to the firewall and actuated with the stock clutch pedal , if I remember correctly I made my pedal pushrod out of the original clutch rod and the new rod for the master cylinder which I made adjustable for correct pedal height and travel . Mcleods kit came with a hydraulic release bearing setup that goes on the front bearing retainer of the toploader . I drove this on track and street had no issues with it . Wish I had kept it when I switched over to the big block . Contact me if you need any help with this .
     
  10. baddad457

    baddad457 Member

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    I'm about ready to swap in my Toploader in my Comet. I previously had it in a V8 89 Ranger with the McCleod hydro T/O bearing. While it had it's problems initially (ten years ago when this all happened) it was dead reliable after I replaced their banjo fittings with AN fittings. I saved the unit from the Ranger and am going to use it in the Comet with the Modern drivelines hydro kit.
     
  11. lm14

    lm14 Member

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    Those last 2 posts are exactly what I want to see. I've looked at the Mccleod setup. I have the toploader and Lakewood bell, too.

    Thanks guys,
    SPark
     
  12. mav1970

    mav1970 Bob Hatcher

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    I have already bought a pull type slave cylinder for my 351C Toploader combo but may have some issues with mounting it behind the clutch fork - I may look into this McLeod setup - I like the fact that my clutch fork can be eliminated :)
     
  13. lm14

    lm14 Member

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    I will only do the hyd t/o bearing style, no slave cylinders for me. Used them years ago in a dirt mod and hated them.

    SPark
     
  14. baddad457

    baddad457 Member

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    Seems to me a pull type slave will be pretty much impossible with a Toploader's external shifter.
     

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