clutch cable or hydraulics?


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By Tom Compton - 15 Years Ago
56 has headers, soon a power brake booster, and thinking about a power steering box.  Have a T5 and floor shifter so at least that linkage is out of the way.

Has anyone done away with the original clutch linkage/Z bar and installed either a clutch cable or hydraulic clutch?  What problems were encountered on installation?  Beneficial or not worth the trouble?

Thx 

By Ted - 15 Years Ago
Jim Culver has the hydraulic throwout bearing in his ’56 Club Sedan with 5 speed.  I’ve driven it and works well but special care must be taken to keep the hydraulic lines away for the headers and exhaust.
By speedpro56 - 15 Years Ago
I'm running the T56 6speed in my 56 Tbird and still using the original clutch setup and still loving it. Ted drove it and his thoughts were the bird drove and handled great. Generally speaking you never have to work on these simple setups ford used for so many years and of course this is my opinion as well. I do have a 67 MG midget with a hydraulic clutch and as with a master brake cylinder wearing out so does the hydraulic clutch system, so they do have to be maintained. So yes I'm having it rebuilt and it's not free so I just don't see any advantage of the hydraulic clutch system over the older zbar setup. Just my opinion
By charliemccraney - 15 Years Ago
I agree with Gary. I'm currently using the original linkage with my T5 and it is doing well. Just make sure your bushings are in good shape. The bearing used on Jim's car is a Mcleod product. The bearing alone runs about $400.00. It is probably the cleanest way to go because a clutch fork is not required. Is the extra room worth that much to you?

And, that's just one option. There may be other, cheaper options.



One easy way to gain a little more room is to remove the shift arms from the lower end of the column, if yours was equipped and you have not done it yet. I was actually surprised at the room gained when I removed mine. It's not much but it is something.
By crenwelge - 15 Years Ago
Hydraulic clutches were used in GM and International pickups for a few years in the 60's and on cab over trucks in the 60's into the 70's and they were a real pain. Unless you can mount the slave cylinder where you can service it easily, you will probably curse the day that you installed it. I have used cable linkage on clutches. It was OEM on International cab over trucks for several years and it works quite well.
By Tom Compton - 15 Years Ago
Thanks, guys.  I will forget about the hydraulic set up.  May not need the extra room as shift arms are removed.  Just thinking ahead.

Thx

By John Mummert - 15 Years Ago
Suede57, Pat F,  has used a cable clutch. He told me it worked well and wasn't too much trouble to install
By RBWY - 15 Years Ago
I would like to talk about the cable clutch set up if Pat F would contact me.

Thanks

Ray