Clutch setup for a 460
 

Looking for recommendations on a hydraulic clutch system for my 460, with a TKO 600 Trans. I have been told to stay away from the McLeod hydraulic setup. From what I understand a lot of leakage problems.

I would appreciate it if you could tell me what type of clutch, pressure plate, hydraulic T/B, etc. you guys might be using?

Thanks, Jeri

Mcleod Mcleod
 

Dont know why you would want to stay away from Mcleod. Some of the early stuff had some oring problems, no big deal, they have a new design T/O bearing setup that works great.
I run their aluminum flywheel, clutch, pressure plate, and hydraulic T/O bearing. I would not fool around with anything else. I have had no problems since 1998.
Quality stuff.

Hey Yellar,
and others with internal hyd TO Bearings if you like them more power to you. I personally like an external hyd. set ups. They are easy to adjust, cost effective, will not contaminate clutch disc if a leak occurs, allows stock clutch parts to be used, allows a slight ratio advantage to be used.

Cars light weight allows lighter clamping pressure so crazy stiff pressure plate is not needed. With a 7/1 pedal ratio - 5/8 master cylinder bore - 1 inch slave bore - stock fork length with a quality clutch assembly.

Mcleod
 

I am also running a Mcleod with no issues. I have a quick question though. I just changed the clutch, anyone have a recommendation on the hydro fluid? Dot3??

Mike

Jeri,

I recommend the McLeod Diaghram clutch (sorry I dont that the part number)

But i cant recommend the hyd T/O bearing and here why.

1) There is no adjustability in the t/o beaing. initial set-up is a pain, you have to measure very accurately to get the correct spacing, so that you can order the right length piston.
and if you change clutch brands or type, you will may have to change the piston again. and you wont know it until the whole thing is installed and bleed!
which leads to:

2) any time you need to remove the trans, you must open the hyd system.
fluid loss, mess and you must re-bleed the system.

Before i owned one i thought it was great, then I had to change a clutch......

Jason

I too worried about the hydraulic throwout bearing,and in my case was able to use a cable clutch release.My car has under car/out the back exhaust,which made it a lot easier.

Jeri, I am a distributor for McLeod and RAM, along with some others.

I can most definitely help you with a clutch selection and can provide tech assistance with installation.

Shoot me an email and we'll talk about your setup.

brent@b2motorsportsllc.com

Hi Jeri,
I make external slave/fork setups that is an alternative to a hydraulic thow out bearing. The external slave I've never had a failure. I've converted many cars with internal to external with my happy customers.

460 w TKO 600 set-up
 

I am using the 460 crate with an OEM iron 429 bellhousing and TKO 600 with Mcleod components for clutch and HTOB. My experience (with new style HTOB (2006) has been no issues so far. The reason many folks struggle is that set-up is time consuming and must be performed correctly. Any over stroke of the HTOB piston will cause leaks and is commonly due to installation error (pedal stoke and correct MC are required). I did in fact have to mock-up with 3 different length pistons until I got the clearance right. (thats why I like SUMMIT, no hassle return policy). Bleeding with a vac pump with the HTOB piston seated in bottom of its bore worked quickly for me to evacuate the air. External HTOB has valid advantages but my chassis is very tight for clearance so I used an internal design. What I would like to find is a compact OEM designed (proven 100K mile reliability) HTOB that will bolt up to the TKO 600. Perhaps someone can chime in here who is using a Ford or other HTOB on their 429/460 application. The challenge with this 426/460 set-up on mine (same for top-loader transmissions using the short input shaft) is the bell housing is so shallow at 6.25" and limits our HTOB options, at least back in 2006 it did. You guys running the 429/460 with TKO set-up please chime in with your set-up.

On the 460 I had it used the Quicktime bellhousing with Forte's billet external setup and TKO600 it worked beautifully.
So well in fact I'm putting another one in the car I'm building now.