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Why did you do a hydro?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jimmys66
  • Start date Start date Jan 3, 2006
J

Jimmys66

Founding Member
Nov 28, 2001
419
0
0
Paw Paw MI
Jan 3, 2006
#1
  • Jan 3, 2006
  • #1
I looked at some prices for hydro. clutches. What was the reasoning for installing one in your car?
 
H

HHStang

Member
May 15, 2003
566
0
16
Coastal SC
Jan 3, 2006
#2
  • Jan 3, 2006
  • #2
Tough to find Z-bar and linkages for a big block in my case.
 
1

180 Out

Member
Jul 23, 2005
375
0
16
Jan 3, 2006
#3
  • Jan 3, 2006
  • #3
Funny you should ask that question today, since it was just this morning that I phoned in my order to Dark Horse for a hydraulic throwout bearing and JMC brand MC kit -- $549!!! That includes a replacement bearing, but still.

Anyway, the reason was that, beginning in October 2004, about 10,000 miles into my ownership of this '65 289 fb with 3-spd toploader w/diaphragm clutch, the Z-bar setup decided to start popping throwout bearings. What happens, as best I can tell, is the TO bearing gets cocked on the bearing retainer and binds. The clutch fork rides up on the backing plate and pops off the two spring clips, which screws up the whole works.

I replaced everything, some things more than once, including two bearing retainers. Each time, a few hundred miles later, boink, another busted throwout bearing. In desperation, and since they don't make brand new bearing retainers for 3-spds, I decided to go with a '95 T-5z. Just yesterday (Monday 1/2/06) I got the Z-bar stuff back together and hop in the driver's seat in giddy anticipation of the smooth new clutch effort. Boink! Busted again.

So thaaaat's why I'm going hydraulic, and also why I don't even care that it's costing me $549+ to do it. If this doesn't work, I'm switching to an automatic!
 
S

steel1212

Active Member
Jun 24, 2004
1,180
0
36
Frankfort, Ky
Jan 3, 2006
#4
  • Jan 3, 2006
  • #4
I got it to make it all look clean and you can run the hose and mount the resivour(sp) any where you want
 
J

Jimmys66

Founding Member
Nov 28, 2001
419
0
0
Paw Paw MI
Jan 3, 2006
#5
  • Jan 3, 2006
  • #5
My linkage works good and I don't mind the pedal effort of a big 3 finger p. plate. The only upside that I see for me is better header options.

Something I'm missing?
 

69 Rustang

Member
Jun 9, 2004
307
0
16
Orange County California
Jan 3, 2006
#6
  • Jan 3, 2006
  • #6
I wanted headers on my 351Cleveland with a 4 speed and didn't want the hokey z-bar anymore. So it seemed like a must. I pieced mine together buying the hydraulic throwout bearing from a local speed shop and the master cylinder from a local off road supply house--they also had the hoses and the reservour. I fabricated everything else I needed. Saved me over $250 off of the JMC kit price.
 
G

gp001

Founding Member
Jun 30, 2001
4,401
0
66
So. Cal.
Jan 3, 2006
#7
  • Jan 3, 2006
  • #7
Cuz there was not a better setup to use on my 6 speed

http://www.2mfffabshop.com/hydinf1.htm

http://www.2mfffabshop.com/rod.htm
 

chepsk8

Founding Member
Jan 15, 2001
2,203
3
49
Easton, PA
Jan 4, 2006
#8
  • Jan 4, 2006
  • #8
I put one in my Cobra mainly for smooth pedal effort, clean, simple installation, and less clutter under the hood.
 

jcode68

Active Member
Jul 15, 2003
892
1
29
Massachussetts
Jan 4, 2006
#9
  • Jan 4, 2006
  • #9
I was doing a T5z swap, replacing my stock 3 speed stick and when researching Z-Bar versus cable clutch versus hydraulic, there was a clear advantage for issues like header clearance and smooth operation. You can make the cabel clutch setup work with many headers, but I read many posts where the heat from the headers started to cause the cable to bind and eventually fail. Also, the cable setups look pretty bad in my opinion the way the cable is routed. The only negative was the price ($400 for the JMC), but the extra couple hundred bucks spent to avoid clearance and reliability problems were worth it in my opinion.
 

chepsk8

Founding Member
Jan 15, 2001
2,203
3
49
Easton, PA
Jan 4, 2006
#10
  • Jan 4, 2006
  • #10
That's why I went hydro. The cable wrapped right around the headders.
 
J

Jimmys66

Founding Member
Nov 28, 2001
419
0
0
Paw Paw MI
Jan 4, 2006
#11
  • Jan 4, 2006
  • #11
Thanks for the input. At this point, the money is needed elsewhere in the car.

It does sound like a nice project to do when funds are available.
 

latamud

Founding Member
Oct 22, 2002
791
2
19
Tampa, FL
Jan 5, 2006
#12
  • Jan 5, 2006
  • #12
My lakewood bellhousing didn't have provisions for a clutch fork. So bypassed it with a hydraulic throwout bearing.
 

LMan

Founding Member
Aug 10, 2002
1,246
0
0
Mom's basement
Jan 5, 2006
#13
  • Jan 5, 2006
  • #13
I use a cable clutch, cost-effective since it was free (guy gave me a 5.0 cable). I had to jockey a header primary around a little to make it work, but well worth it for the 350.00 I saved
 

Shakin66

Founding Member
Jan 19, 2001
628
1
19
Waycross, Ga / Lake James, NC
Jan 5, 2006
#14
  • Jan 5, 2006
  • #14
There are many reason that the guys have already stated and with some applications its the only option as it was with my t-56. I have it bolted up but have not looked into the work that will be needed to attach its rod to the pedal along with the needed pedal stop. I hope at it will be much easier on the leg with this Mcleod clutch also. Anyone with pics of thier pedal stop?
 
J

jmenke

Founding Member
Nov 8, 1999
211
0
16
Melbourne, FL
Jan 5, 2006
#15
  • Jan 5, 2006
  • #15
reasons:
1) had issues in my '65 with Z bar shifting and rods bending
2) had a 91 Ranger with hydraulic clutch and liked it
3) thought it would be easier for my wife to drive. She has a problem with pushing the pedal still, good thing because I know my car will be in the garage.

shaken66, I don't have pictures, but what I did was weld two all thread rod coupling nuts together. One screws to the bolt that holds the hyd clutch master on the firewall (I have a Wilwood master). The other holds a Mustang hood rubber stop (thing that mounts to the radiator support). This allows me to easily orient the stop with the pedal and adjust limit of pedal travel at two points. I also installed nuts on both bolts to lock it in place.
 

RFMustangGT

Member
Apr 4, 2005
294
0
16
Knoxville,TN
Jan 5, 2006
#16
  • Jan 5, 2006
  • #16
my father put one in his 55 t-bird when he droped in a 4 speed toploader and it's so much nicer of an install. no hassle with it.
 
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