Hydraulic clutch on y-block ?

[Zapato]

I follow all the parts for sale over on the hamb. And if the heading has any 1957 Ford or y-block it warrants a look. Today there's a posting for a y with a 4 speed and it of all things has a hydraulic clutch setup. Not one of those fancy new setups but one like those found on countless off shore cars/trucks. Seller says it came out of a 59 truck but who knows where it first came from or if it's factory or home brewed.

Anyone ever seen anything like that, and if one is available would sure be interested in purchasing one.

Zap -

[Zapato]

Seller texted me a few pictures and it looks home made. When the kids show up for dinner will see if one of them can figure out how to post them over here. This is an "upgrade" I've been thinking about to eliminate the z- bar.


Zap - 

[lalessi1]

I think it can be done relatively easily. I used a McCleod throwout bearing for my toploader and a McCleod master cylinder kit for a Mustang. Close to a bolt on. I have an FE/toploader though on the clutch/tranny side.I can send you some info if you'd like.

[hiball3985]

The 57-60 trucks used hydraulic clutches, I have one on my 60. The bell housing has ears with holes for the slave cylinder. The truck bell housing is deeper than the passenger car, clutch fork and throw out bearing are completely different. Won't work in a passenger car as a bolt in.

[Zapato]

Lynn, post it here am sure others would love to have the information.

Zap - 

[lalessi1]

This is the master cylinder kit I used....

http://www.mcleodracing.com/index.php/hydraulics/hydraulic-conversion-kit/1964-1966-mustang-hydraulic-clutch-linkage-conversion-kit.html

I will take some pics of it installed with an explanation of what modifications are needed...

[Jeff Norwell]

I use the same Mcleod set up on all my other cars... IMHO. they work very well for good street driving.On my early Ford Truck.. I never have had a ounce of trouble and I push that truck hard on the street.Others have used a Howe set up and have had problems.

[Zapato]

The truck bell housing is deeper than the passenger car, clutch fork and throw out bearing are completely different. Won't work in a passenger car as a bolt in.

Is it just that the parts don't interchange between car and truck or it's a physical for issue going into the car. I have a complete truck setup and a passenger car bellhousing and a couple of toploaders. Believe the hydraulic pieces could be easily sourced and just a couple of mounting issues can be worked out. Going to think about this a bit more.

Zap - 

[hiball3985]

Zap, everything on the truck bell housing is different, it's too deep, the input shaft on a car trans won't reach the pilot bearing/bushing. The throw out bearing fork is different, it mounts on a ball and will only work with a truck throw out bearing which is different then a car. So there is no practical way to use a truck bell housing. When I originally build my truck in 1974-75 I put a 390 in it and used the passenger car bell housing but had to have a mounting pad for the clutch slave cylinder welded on, I had a shop do that, I can weld cast. So a passenger car bell can be used if you can weld it or get it welded to mount the slave cylinder.. The stock Ford truck master cylinder for the clutch is just a brake master without a residual valve..

[RICH MUISE]

Zap...I'm going to try and post the pics you sent me a week ago and I just found...sorry.

[hiball3985]

Thanks for those pictures Rich. That is a truck bell housing, you can tell by the mounts for the cross member. It's either a 57-60 that has been repaired were the original slave cylinder mounts were or it's a 61-64 that has had the mounting pad welded on. You can do the same to the Y block passenger car bell housing or an FE, thats what I did on my 390 housing..

[Zapato]

Thank you Rich for posting those for me. It was these pictures that confirmed to me that what I was contemplating was and is doable. Now need to find all the related clutch parts.

One more question are clutch disc and pressure plate from a truck compatible in a passenger car? Yes or No?

Zap - 

[hiball3985]

The clutch master cylinder and slave cylinders are available new. I've never seen the push rod for sale but they are easy to fabricate. The truck disc is different, the trucks have a larger diameter input shaft. I don't recall exactly but I think the fingers on the truck disc are for the larger diameter throw out bearing. The smallest truck plate may be an 11" unless the 6 cylinder had a 10 or 10 1/2". not 100% sure on that..