Anybody Used Hyraulic Clutch? American Power Train or other

Old May 9, 2017 | 10:42 AM
  #1  
David DeCan's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 234
Anybody Used Hyraulic Clutch? American Power Train or other

Doing the Muncie swap into 70 Cutlass with 455 and headers. Going to use hydraulic clutch.

Does anyone have experience with hydraulic clutch in 70-72 Cutlass/442?
American Power Train Hydraulic Clutch? $600.
Other hydraulic clutch options?

Thank you.
Old May 9, 2017 | 05:04 PM
  #2  
Cincinnati Rick's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,554
From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Following along to see what kind of responses you get. I'm thinking of going hydraulic next clutch replacement.
Old May 10, 2017 | 02:54 AM
  #3  
1970442's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 136
I have the American powertrain hydraulic clutch in mine,works well been in two years now without an issue,Tremec 5 speed as well awesome working setup.
Old May 10, 2017 | 05:14 AM
  #4  
geoff442's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 109
From: New Jersey
Are you looking for info on the installation?
Old May 10, 2017 | 08:36 AM
  #5  
David DeCan's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 234
Not looking for install info yet. Looking for those who are using hydraulic clutch to let us know how it is working. Are there other brands other than American Power Train? How does it work with headers? Thanks
Old May 10, 2017 | 12:39 PM
  #6  
RetroRanger's Avatar
72 Olds CS
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 6,657
there was a thread a guy w a 67? delmont? that put in a hyd clutch i cant recall the UN tho maybe this will jar someones memory
Old May 10, 2017 | 04:18 PM
  #7  
geoff442's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 109
From: New Jersey
I installed a Amercian Powertrain setup, I have not finished the car yet to check the operation. The American Powertrain set up is very universal. I started out with Chevelle clutch and brake pedal assembly with the main hanger bracket. If your interested in what it takes to install it let me know. McLeod make a setup with brackets and clutch pedal for a Chevelle that looks to be a bolt in kit, I prefer the custom setup from AP, it's more work but a much cleaner installation.
Old May 12, 2017 | 02:26 PM
  #8  
RetroRanger's Avatar
72 Olds CS
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 6,657
Originally Posted by RetroRanger
there was a thread a guy w a 67? delmont? that put in a hyd clutch i cant recall the UN tho maybe this will jar someones memory

I do recall that thread mr ranger sir i think this was it.

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...clearance.html
Old May 13, 2017 | 09:43 AM
  #9  
ROCKETMAN269V's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,221
From: South Central Florida
Originally Posted by David DeCan
.....Does anyone have experience with hydraulic clutch in 70-72 Cutlass/442?......
Make sure that the kit is for an Oldsmobile. One of my customers, with a Rallye 350, purchased a kit from McLeod, knowing that it was for a Chevelle. We were after the hydraulic master cylinder and clutch pedal. You need a higher pedal ratio with a hydraulic clutch set-up, unless your name is Arnold. The Chevy pedal set-up won't work on an Oldsmobile; Olds uses a bolt through the pedal pivots and Chevy has a shaft that is part of the pedal. The clutch pedal was much lighter gauge than the original, so I took an automatic brake pedal, straightened it out on my press, cut the pad down and put a manual trans pedal pad on it. Also, be sure that there is a plate to reinforce the firewall, as you are now putting all of the load on that area when you depress the clutch. He took it on the Hot Rod Power Tour and said that it was no problem crawling along in line to get into the various venues.
Old May 14, 2017 | 03:01 PM
  #10  
geoff442's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 109
From: New Jersey
I put some pics of my clutch setup, it's not totally complete yet,I need to tidy up a few things, I started a post last year but haven't updated it since, so I put them on that post. I'm just learning how to post the pics. I'll share as much info as I can, if anyone has some info also it would be much appreciated.
Old May 14, 2017 | 05:23 PM
  #11  
RetroRanger's Avatar
72 Olds CS
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 6,657
Link to Geoffs thread

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...1-cutlass.html
Old May 14, 2017 | 05:54 PM
  #12  
geoff442's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 109
From: New Jersey
Thanks I'm not that tech savvy
Old Jun 3, 2017 | 05:46 AM
  #13  
David DeCan's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 234
Just read an old post of a hydraulic clutch install on a 68 Cutlass. American Power Train unit. Not a good report. Many issues. Some questions.

1. Is there a set of headers that I can buy to install the 455 in my 70 Cutlass that will allow me to use factory clutch parts?

I currently have a set of #3202 1 7/8 Hooker headers. Love this header, but there is just no way to put the Z bar through the driver's side header. This is what lead me to consider hydraulic clutch. Really don't want to use factory exhaust manifolds.

2. Is there a better hydraulic clutch kit out there than the American Power Train? Has anyone installed it.

3. What do I need to look for on the block and on the frame to install a factory clutch set up? Some kind of pivot ***** need to be installed. Can anyone help me with this? Is it possible my 455 block does not have these bosses to install the needed pivots? Its an old Toro block, year unknown. How about my frame?

Pics or diagrams would really help. I know its a hassle.

Thanks in advance.
Old Jun 3, 2017 | 07:08 AM
  #14  
Chesrown 67 OAI's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,213
From: Dover, Ohio
Originally Posted by David DeCan
Just read an old post of a hydraulic clutch install on a 68 Cutlass. American Power Train unit. Not a good report. Many issues. Some questions.

1. Is there a set of headers that I can buy to install the 455 in my 70 Cutlass that will allow me to use factory clutch parts?

I currently have a set of #3202 1 7/8 Hooker headers. Love this header, but there is just no way to put the Z bar through the driver's side header. This is what lead me to consider hydraulic clutch. Really don't want to use factory exhaust manifolds.

2. Is there a better hydraulic clutch kit out there than the American Power Train? Has anyone installed it.

3. What do I need to look for on the block and on the frame to install a factory clutch set up? Some kind of pivot ***** need to be installed. Can anyone help me with this? Is it possible my 455 block does not have these bosses to install the needed pivots? Its an old Toro block, year unknown. How about my frame?

Pics or diagrams would really help. I know its a hassle.

Thanks in advance.
I believe Hooker even tells you that theirs is for automatic cars only! ARH stainless work great
Old Jun 3, 2017 | 07:34 AM
  #15  
David DeCan's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 234
Yes. I get that about the Hooker 3202's. I had them before I decided to go stick shift. Chesrown 67 are you saying the ARH headers will work with a stock clutch set up--70 Cutlass?
Old Jun 4, 2017 | 04:48 AM
  #16  
Chesrown 67 OAI's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,213
From: Dover, Ohio
yes
Old Jun 4, 2017 | 06:32 AM
  #17  
David DeCan's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 234
Hooker 3202's or sale. Thanks.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
71Convertible
Major Builds & Projects
0
Aug 27, 2012 04:50 PM
Indy_68_S
Drivetrain/Differentials
14
Mar 5, 2012 06:04 AM
WoofWagon
Paint
2
Oct 26, 2011 07:31 PM
Moto
Chassis/Body/Frame
5
Aug 28, 2008 05:12 AM
Redog
Small Blocks
72
Aug 14, 2008 07:38 PM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -7. The time now is 09:24 AM.