I have a 69 with a TKO 600 with mechanical linkage that I am converting to Hydraulic. I have the engine and transmission out and have purchased the Mcleod Hydraulic Bearing and Wilwood M/C from Scott at ClassicChevy5Speed. I have a couple issues that if someone can help me with I would greatly appreciate.

1.) What is the trick to mount the Wilwood M/C on the Firewall? Does anyone have any pics of how they have done this? Is there a bracket somewhere I can purchase?

2.) The Mcleod ducumentation for the bearing states I need at least .100 clearance from the bearing (when compressed) to the pressure plate. I dont have any clearance. As a matter of fact it's .250 less. The docs state I can space either the bellhousing back from the block or the transmission back from the bellhousing. Has anyone done this before? Will this cause a problem if I space the bellhousing or tranny back .250? I dont want to break a bolt and drop my tranny on the side of the road... :-) FYI I am using a stock bellhousing (621).

3.) When I removed the stock bearing retainer on the TKO there was a small shim in it. It's the size of the front bearing (about 4") and about .005 thick. Do I need to install this shim when I install the Mcleod Bearing?

Thanks for the help and sorry for the long post.

Steve

Steve

The firewall mounting bracket is something you will have to fabricate, or give Tyler at ATS a call http://www.t56kit.com/movie.html or Email at mailto:teetoe_jones@hotmail.com. He may be able to help you with a bracket of some kind.

On the throwout bearing spacing. You must be no less than .100" and no more than .300" spacing between the fingers of the clutch and the bearing. I would talk to Red at McLeod to get some advice on this. 714-630-3668 between 10-12 & 1-3 Pacific time. This is a busy line so keep trying.

With a stock bell housing setup we recommend going with stock style linkage. It's a simpler way to go. If you have issues that make the hydraulic system necessary then you will have to get a release brg. with the right sleeve or shim the housing or transmission.

The shim you found in the retainer MUST go back in! It adjusts the endplay in the input bearing. .000" to .004"

Hope this helps
If you need any info feel free to call.
Jim

Jim,

Thanks for the reply. I think things are coming together.

I called Red and he is sending me a new piston that will give me the required .100 clearance I need.

I will keep the shim, thanks for the info.

I am working on installing the MC. I have it installed on the firewall. I found some info on http://www.5speedtransmissions.com that has given me a place to start. I just need to reinforce the firewall a little to keep it from flexing too much. What is compounding this a bit is the fact that I am running Hydroboost and the base is a little large. When I get it all worked out I will post some pics that would help anyone else trying this conversion.

Thanks for the info.

Steve

Good to hear Steve. Mike Pells site is a good one. Lots of good info. You could make a plate that fits behind the hydraboost and mount the MC on that? Please post the pics when you get them.
Jim

Please help!! My second time pulling out my TKO600. I'm not sure if there is any trick to mounting the throwout bearing. It's currently leaking transmission fluid through the bell housing. I'm assuming its not the front seal(new trans) but who knows. Only other spot that i'm aware of is the housing of the throwout bearing. How do you correctly silicone the throwout bearing to the transmission. Is it necessary? Where does the shim go? What is the proper torque for the bearing housing?

Thanks.:confused:

Please help!! My second time pulling out my TKO600. I'm not sure if there is any trick to mounting the throwout bearing. It's currently leaking transmission fluid through the bell housing. I'm assuming its not the front seal(new trans) but who knows. Only other spot that i'm aware of is the housing of the throwout bearing. How do you correctly silicone the throwout bearing to the transmission. Is it necessary? Where does the shim go? What is the proper torque for the bearing housing?

Thanks.:confused: