Hydraulic clutch

[Bruce R.]

Anyone know of a hydraulic setup that's readily adaptable to the FE and has enough "throw" to function properly

[unclewill]

After much research and head scratching, I ended up going with the factory mechanical setup and I don't regret it.  Best clutch feel and easy adjustability.  Parts can be pricey but they last forever.

[unclewill]

Sorry, just read your other post, I guess factory is not an option.  Call the fine folks at Wilwood, they have a large selection of master/slave combos.

[ericwevans]

So I adapted the 1957-1960 Ford truck hydraulics to my FE and 65 F100.  I made a bracket that uses the left two bellhousing bolts to mount the slave cylinder.  I made a pushrod for the slave cylinder to operate the clutch arm.  It has plenty of throw, too much really.  The bigger problem was up top.  Even mounting the clutch cylinder as close as possible to the brake cylinder, the pushrod for the clutch was about 2 1/2 inches to the left of the clutch pedal arm (I was using a stock clutch pedal).  This meant I had to weld a cantilever portion onto the pedal to operate the master cylinder.  It worked until the pedal broke off the pivot shaft.  My eventual fix was to buy another brake pedal assembly from a junk yard and cut down the bracket to only what was essential.  This got rid of the cantilever and allows the pedal to operate the cylinder straight on.

So, after all that, it does work and it has been very reliable. 

[Bruce R.]

What series truck do I need the slave cyl. from ? I'll stop on the way home today and order one, I got a lot of latitude up top for a master cyl.

[ericwevans]

It is a 1957-1960 F-100 slave cylinder.  For may application I currently have a 1 1/16 inch bore master cylinder and it is too much so I'll be reducing it to a 7/8 inch.  This will vary though depending on your pedal ratio. 

When I get a chance tonight I'll take a picture of the bracket I made to attach it to the bell housing bolts.

[stangbuilder]

 
  Ok i installed one on a 67 mustang.The throw out bearing mounts to the transmission. Its not a FE thing.There is a company name of modern trans carries different set ups..IMO it well worth the money for a smooth easy clutch..  The master hooks right up to were the old clutch rod hooked to easy easy...been in my car for over 9 years not one issue about 50.000 miles.

[ericwevans]

Here is the bracket I made to install the slave cylinder.

[Bruce R.]

Ok Eric, looks like a plan to me. I'm planning to add power brakes and Jeep Wranglers have a nice setup that mounts the clutch master cyl. right alongside, since I don't have a pedal yet I'll just grab the Jeep one and modify it.

[Bruce R.]

Got the bracket for the slave cyl. made, also made a clutch pedal and mounting for the master cyl. Now my only major hurdles when I start the swap will be the exhaust and driveshaft. Also mounted a one wire alternator.

[ericwevans]

Nice.  The only difference in mine was that I made an arm that I welded going forward of the bracket to retain the clutch fork return spring.  I was worried about the pushrod possibly falling out.  It's never happened in the year I have had the setup and I drive it daily.

[BigBlockFE]

Kirkham Motorsports has the best set up for the fe using a QuickTime bellhousing. Has adjustments for pedal feel and they make it in house. All billet construction. I ain't cheap.

[Bruce R.]

Well, looks like the project is on hold for awhile, was shoveling snow Monday and had a really impressive heart attack. Wearing a portable defibrillator for awhile, can't do anything.

[ericwevans]

Sorry to hear that Bruce, just lost my brother-in-law to a heart attack two weeks ago.

[jayb]

Well, looks like the project is on hold for awhile, was shoveling snow Monday and had a really impressive heart attack. Wearing a portable defibrillator for awhile, can't do anything.

Geez, Bruce!  That sucks badly, sorry to hear about the health problems.  FWIW the implantable defibrillators are really top rate right now, if you need one of those they really work.  Good luck on the recovery - Jay