The Cheap Route: Switching from a Hydraulic T/O bearing, to a External Slave Cylinder. For Olds.

[jetsetw31]

Hello all. I run a Olds motor with a T-5 trans in a 88 Cutlass Supreme. My clutch system uses a stock 88 F-body clutch master cylinder and a Howe Racing hydraulic Throw-Out bearing. I did this set up in 2013. I have pictures of the install in my photo albums and in my post "Hydraulic clutch set up T-5 swap. Wish me luck".
As far as operation, the Howe TOB was great. The car is a daily driver and the only issues I had with it was a bearing change after I drove through a flood and the bearing seized in early 2016 and again in late 2017. Also i had to change O rings 3 times through the years. The first in 2015.
The rebuilding process was pretty easy and parts were reasonable. The problem was pulling the transmission out every time to fix the unit.
Out of the 5 times I fixed the TOB, only during 2 of them did I change the clutch. (The clutch was changed 3 times since 2013)
The last O-ring change was in Feb of this years during whitch, I found a burr in the surface of the piston that I had to polish out. Now it's leaking again.
I'm done because the Howe unit needs to be replaced. It's $149.99, which isn't bad compared to other units. (Most around $250)

I am switching to a 88 Camaro external slave cylinder. All the parts cost me under 100 bucks.
The only snag was the Cylinder bracket. I had to make one for my Oldsmobile Bell Housing.

 

[jetsetw31]

The parts I had to buy were a 1/4th inch thick steel sheet (12 x12 inch) for the bracket, Clutch fork, Adjustable clutch fork pivot ball, 88 Camaro slave cylinder (I painted it gold), -3 AN adapter fittings, and -3 AN braided steel line. The only piece I didn't have to buy was the manual T/O bearing. (It came with the Clutch kits. Got 3 of them)

 

[fleming442]

Feel like making another?
Name your price

 

[pontiacgp]

Nice work and you have more patience than I have, my Howe blew once and took out a new performance clutch disk and that was enough for me. They were ok in our race cars but not for daily use IMO. I am going back to a hydraulic throw out but it won't be Howe. When you get the slave cylinder hooked up you won't need to use the bleeder on it, just put the fluid in and pump the pedal a couple of time every few minutes and the air will make it way up to the resevoir, it will bleed itself.

 

[jetsetw31]

Making the bracket. I used a Sawzaw, a 4 inch cut off wheel, a 4 inch grinding wheel, titanium step drill bits, a 1 1/2 inch Milwalkee steel hole saw, and drill sized barrel sanders.
I made a paper template, traced it on the metal plate, and started cutting.
It was not fun. It took me 3 days. (Taking my time of course.) Also sparks were everywhere, My safety goggles were a site saver.
I did a quick test fit without the housing, seems to clear ok.
I'm doing the install today. Pics are coming.

 

[jetsetw31]

This is the chevy version I saw before I started. That bracket is the difference.
Chevy guys have it sooo easy.

 

[Ribbedroof]

Great info!

Now has me rethinking the auto in the Malibu coupe. Never really liked the mechanical linkage (design or cost for G body parts), and have read similar experiences about the hydro t/o bearings that have kept me from seriously considering a manual swap.

 

[MTP-Madmat]

I tried to do a similar setup using 89-97 camero hydraulics. I ended up not having enough stroke distance on the slave cylinder. I used adapters for -3AN fittings and ended up using a 90 Toyota v6 truck slave cylinder. I have a thread on this site. I did make a custom bracket and need to refine it since it flexes a bit.

 

[jetsetw31]

Feel like making another?
Name your price

If I had better tools and the time. That thing wiped me out.

 

[jetsetw31]

I tried to do a similar setup using 89-97 camero hydraulics. I ended up not having enough stroke distance on the slave cylinder. I used adapters for -3AN fittings and ended up using a 90 Toyota v6 truck slave cylinder. I have a thread on this site. I did make a custom bracket and need to refine it since it flexes a bit.View attachment 97940

I thought about the japanese style slave. I like the simple mounting. I too was worried about the stroke. That's why I used a adjustable pivot ball. There is barely any free play.