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Topic: Hydraulic clutch (Read 2822 times) previous topic - next topic

Hydraulic clutch

Has anyone ever attempted to retain a hydraulic clutch using OEM style parts when doing a 5.0 swap on a 87-88 TC?

Just thinking outside the box i guess. Looking at the MC location, it looks like it would clear a set of headers (possibly fairly close though, might need some shielding). I know that a Ford Escort slave cylinder is a push type and could be mounted behind the clutch fork so that it would be pushing it. It would be easy to build a bracket to bolt onto the two bolts on the drivers side that hold the trans to the bellhousing.
Currently Birdless but never Foxless

86 Mustang GT

Hydraulic clutch

Reply #1
why? isn't a clutch pedal feel half the reason for a stick?

they now make hydraulic throw out bearings and conversion kits. my opinion is hydraulic.clutches are more trouble then their worth.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Hydraulic clutch

Reply #2
88turbo and myself looked into an aftermarket hydr clutch setup a year or two back...I'll see if I can dig up a link. I imagine someone with the slightest fab skills could create something pretty easily.

Benefits of a hydraulic setup mean that you'd never be stranded due to cable breakage, or needing to adjust every once in awhile, or more so if you race it or open track the car.

Haven't heard many complaints of the '87-8 TC guys picking on the setup, either.

HERE is the site I was talking about. Looks like it would go a long way in keeping things away from the exhaust and/or catalytic converter...but then, if you have 3" duals, for example, it might just open the can of worms in a bit different location...
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

Hydraulic clutch

Reply #3
So exactly what i had in mind is already available? At least i know it is feasible
Currently Birdless but never Foxless

86 Mustang GT

Hydraulic clutch

Reply #4
The conversion kit is on summit the price is awful salty but it is available

Hydraulic clutch

Reply #5
Are you referring to the mcloed setup with the pull type master and hydraulic throwout bearing?
Currently Birdless but never Foxless

86 Mustang GT

Hydraulic clutch

Reply #6
Yeah i think that was the brand

Hydraulic clutch

Reply #7
when my motormounts let go a tore up my cable, I drove the car for a couple weeks till I got around to replacing it.

my buddies 85 4runner uses a hydraulic clutch. if I remember correctly, it mounts to the bell housing on a bracket and I think it could be used fairly easy.

I learned to drive on my grandma Mazda (84? I forget...) and the clutch would bleed out, needed a rebuild. you could put it in first, and it would start itself off as nice as could be. then if you slammed the clutch in and popped it right back out, it popped itself into second. almost as easy to drive as an automatic ;).
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

 

Hydraulic clutch

Reply #8
well my thoughts are that I could bend up a hose/line that hugs tight to the body, runs up the firewall, from the master, then over to roughly the center of the car, then down the trans tunnel, and then down to the slave. it would keep everything away from the exhaust heat, no cable to have to adjust and worry about melting on the header, and IMO, it would be a much cleaner looking install than a nearly 1/2 inch diameter cable looping through the engine bay...
Currently Birdless but never Foxless

86 Mustang GT