Hydro Clutch HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[nvrenuf]

I read a post by sweetK30 that said you can't use a 3 finger style pressure plate in a hydro clutch application (the assembly is too tall to allow the t/o bearing to release completely). I already have a very expensive McLeod 3 finger clutch I want to use but the truck is set up for hydro parts, anybody found a fix for this?

Help!!

 

[nvrenuf]

Hydro Clutch HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Come on, as popular as it is to convert to hydro, noone else has had this problem? Is EVERYONE using diaphram pressure plates?

 

[cybrfire]

how much?

i think you can get shorter TO bearings.

 

[dyeager535]

sweetK30 is the only one I know of to mention this, so either it's specific to each clutch design, or he's the only one that's tried it. Not sure either way, didn't check his post out. (I won't be able to see the pics right now)

It would *seem* to me very odd that GM wouldn't have used three finger clutches, diaphrams seem to be almost universally regarded as having less holding power (even today) than the three finger styles, and I would think that back in the '80's, the three finger would still have been the norm. But I don't know for sure, just speculation. I can't remember what was on any of the '85+ 465's I removed from trucks.

If someones got the gm part numbers for a 1984 or older clutch, we could at least narrow this down a bit. I'm sure if I look I can find the '85+ part number(s) for clutches. There is only one throwout bearing listed for '85+, but the fork part number isn't in the diagram. I can get that too I suspect if I dig deeper in the manual.

 

[nvrenuf]

Kert I haven't actually measured any thing yet, I'm just going on what I've seen posted.

Dorian, I agree it seems odd that GM might not have used a 3 finger clutch. Even more intriguing(?) is the idea they'd be different and not interchangable. With all of the aftermarket sales I would think it would widely known that you can't sub one style for the other. Realistically, parts stores are selling these daily and we all know the cheap reman world is hit or miss as to what you actually get in the box.

 

[84400]

any one find the answer to this? I have heard it will work and it won't.

I have a 78 flywheel with a 12 inch clutch using 3 finger PP
I have a hydro belhousing
Hydro master, slave, pedals, line, and Hydro fork with Throw out bearing for an 86.

Will this work with my 3 finger or not? I really don't have cash for a clutch.

I read a write up hear that said no but have read others who say it works fine maybe a lil stiffer.

 

[b454rat]

When I swapped the drivetrain in my old 84, I ran into this problem as well. I had a 454, new flywheel, 3 finger clutch, hydro setup, and the fork would hit when clutch was out.

I swapped to a diaphram plate and was fine. I asked around before bout using this setup, and a local roundy rounder had a 70s crew cab Chevy with a 502 and a 4-speed, pulled a huge friggin' trailer full of parts, and never had any clutch issues.

Probly gonna thru this again on my crew when I swap to a 4-speed.

 

[sweetk30]

i posted pics you might not be able to see of the 3 finger clutch hitting the hydro fork arm.

it makes a hell of a noise.

 

[nvrenuf]

Since this was my thread I'll just add that I never figured it out. I ended up going with a heavy duty diaphram set up with a ceramic disc. I would love to have used my dual disc 3 finger set up but just didn't want to chance pulling the doubler back out if it didn't work.