Thinking ahead to the next big project. I have gathered up most of the Tbird parts for a T-5 conversion; bell housing, clutch linkage, brake and clutch pedal assembly, etc. Plan on using Mummerts conversion kit. Has anyone used a hydraulic clutch recently and if so how difficult is it to do? Also are there any clearance issues with Sanderson headers and the stock clutch linkage?

57 Black Tbird 312/auto

Ron, I bought used spindles, etc. and reamed them myself. Braided lines seem like a good upgrade. I have Mustang II/Pinto hoses now that fit well. Funny how all those folks using Pinto front ends don't want to talk about it. I have also had good luck with Poly-Armor bendable brake lines that can be formed by hand. Used those on my Galaxie. I need to come up with some thread size compatible banjo fittings and lines to go from the master cylinder to the combo valve and then to the distribution points. Sorting out the fitting sizes and threads is not my strong suit. For the hydraulic clutch, I think the Wilwood slave and master clutch cylinder is very doable but need to make a clean and organized installation plan. Instead of welding a clutch pedal pivot to the clutch pedal arm I may drill and tap it instead using a shoulder bolt.

57 Black Tbird 312/auto

I have the Drop em & stop em brakes and spindles and the Borgeson power steering, hence the need for a hydraulic clutch.



http://www.fordmuscleforums.com/transmission-articles/481776-hydraulic-clutch-classic-ford.html



This is a post from a Mustang site that shows some of the things that they have done. In a couple of the videos you will see that the M/C is mounted inside the car. In one case on top of the clutch/brake pedal box. I don't know if that's possible on our cars.



Rono, is your friend still building his car or has he tried out the hydraulic clutch yet? Also I see that he shortened the clutch release leave and mounted the slave cylinder pull rod close to where it enters the bell housing. It would be good to know how much throw on the slave cylinder is needed and how short the clutch release lever should be.



Charlie, I was told that the master cylinder and slave cylinder from a later pickup could be used, LMC truck carries these parts for '57-60 trucks. It would be nice to see a picture of both the slave cylinder mounting on a truck and also how the truck clutch pedal looks compared to a car and the relationship between the truck clutch pedal and the M/C.

Mark

1956 Mercury M100
1955 Ford Fairlane Club Sedan
Delta, British Columbia

I know that my friend Paul is still working on his 57 Custom 300 so I doubt if he has actually tested the clutch. I can ask him why he cut down the release fork.

Rono

  Ron Lane,  Meridian, ID

Thanks Rono, probably so that he would get the correct amount of movement in the clutch release arm. If it works for him it would be nice to know the dimension.

Mark

1956 Mercury M100
1955 Ford Fairlane Club Sedan
Delta, British Columbia