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Convert to hydraulic clutch?

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Old Jul 16, 2024 | 03:13 PM
  #1  
T-Bone's Avatar
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From: Poconos
Convert to hydraulic clutch?

Any one done a hydraulic clutch conversion on 442 4 speeds. Is hydraulic clutch easier to depress? My ole legs getting weak!😵‍💫
Old Jul 16, 2024 | 06:31 PM
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I did mine because I kept breaking Z-bars and it gives more room for exhaust. Mine is a cobbled together mess, so I don't think I can offer much advice.
As far as pedal feel, it will vary with the equipment used. I'd suggest finding someone with a T56 conversion (very popular), and ask them if you can step on the pedal for research purposes. Chances are, they used some sort of preengineered kit with matched components.
They're all a pain to install. I haven't had one not leak.
It may be easier to just change the clutch to something with better feel. I have a McLeod RST organic twin disc, and I can't say enough good things about it. It's well worth the admission fee.
Old Jul 16, 2024 | 07:38 PM
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I’ve used hydraulic throw outs on two cars, 66 f85 with t56 and 75 manta with t50, both used ram bearings for Muncie/t10/etc and the pedal wasn’t any easier then my current two manuals with stock z bar.
Old Jul 17, 2024 | 05:00 AM
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I put a ‘Ram muscle car series’ clutch in my 70, it’s unbelievably easy yet to depress. Go to YouTube Muscle Car Campy, there is a video of my 70 car being driven and Jim Campisano talks about how easy the pedal is and how impressed he is with the clutch on the video. Somebody on here has surely done a hydraulic conversion and will pipe up soon if you go that route.
Old Jul 17, 2024 | 06:53 AM
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This makes much more sense than a powertrain swap. My old man has dealt with a stock clutch in a 71 vette for its whole life, and the springs in it are just silly compared to how normal the clutch grabs. It feels like a racing clutch to use, but acts like a normal clutch to the car. It's just really comically stiff.
Old Jul 17, 2024 | 07:13 AM
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Same answer as your LS swap thread -- sell the car intact to somebody who wants it for what it is. Then buy something turnkey that better suits your purposes.
Old Jul 17, 2024 | 07:56 AM
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I'm a fan of hydraulic throwout bearings. You can tailor the pedal force to whatever you want by changing the bore in the clutch master cylinder. A smaller bore will reduce pedal pressure but increase required throw.
Old Jul 17, 2024 | 09:20 AM
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Originally Posted by joe_padavano
I'm a fan of hydraulic throwout bearings. You can tailor the pedal force to whatever you want by changing the bore in the clutch master cylinder. A smaller bore will reduce pedal pressure but increase required throw.
This also works on brakes, correct? If one has a stiff pedal, going to a smaller bore brake master would lessen it, but also require more pedal travel for the same force?
Old Jul 17, 2024 | 09:21 AM
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Originally Posted by Koda
This also works on brakes, correct? If one has a stiff pedal, going to a smaller bore brake master would lessen it, but also require more pedal travel for the same force?
As it is with all hydraulic systems. This is why I went to a 7/8" M/C on my 62 vs the OEM 1".
Old Jul 17, 2024 | 09:24 AM
  #10  
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Originally Posted by joe_padavano
As it is with all hydraulic systems. This is why I went to a 7/8" M/C on my 62 vs the OEM 1".
Thought so. I have had a stiff pedal on my Monte Carlo for 20 years. May downsize the piston with a different MC.
Old Jul 17, 2024 | 11:24 AM
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If you want easy pedal pressure get a Centerforce I . It's like pushing a marshmallow....in fact I'll trade you my Centerforce I for pretty much anything else. I hate it.
Old Jul 22, 2024 | 09:23 AM
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Originally Posted by allyolds68
if you want easy pedal pressure get a centerforce i . It's like pushing a marshmallow....in fact i'll trade you my centerforce i for pretty much anything else. I hate it.
+1
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