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Hydraulic Clutch Conversion Help

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by garage gnome, Sep 22, 2022.

  1. garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    I am attempting to convert the CJ7 (AMC 360/T18) to a hydraulic clutch. I bought a new master cylinder for a CJ7 with a 4 cylinder along with the matching slave. My tub already had a knockout for the master and that bolted in fine.

    My questions are:

    1) Where does the push rod mount to on the clutch pedal? I know I have to drill my own hole. Dimension and pictures would help

    2) Looking for ideas on how to build a slave cylinder bracket if anyone has done this swap.
     
  2. bluesmokemonster

    bluesmokemonster blue-smokemonster or bluesmoke-monster?

  3. nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Depending on what bellhousing you have the bolt holes may already be in it for the external hydraulic slave cylinder. Most later CJ ones did.
     
  4. Ohiowrangler

    Ohiowrangler Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I used NOVAK'S parts on my projects. You maybe able to get a good pic there. Sorry my toys are GM powered. Ron
     
  5. FlatlanderCJ5

    FlatlanderCJ5 Member

    Although my jeep is in total tear down mode, I bought a slave cylinder that would be oem for a 1979 CJ5. I think that might be the first year they switched over to hydraulic. I also have a 360 and the slave cylinder bolted directly to the bell housing with no mods. I can't recall now but somewhere online I found a picture of one setup.
     
  6. FlatlanderCJ5

    FlatlanderCJ5 Member

    This is a picture that I found from a while back after I test fitted the slave cylinder. I will get the master cylinder part of it figured out once I remount the body. This would be the oem part, 79-82. Bellhousing front.jpg
     
  7. Jeepsterjim

    Jeepsterjim Member

    this the type I like to use. It mounts off the the trans/x-fer case. It may not be easy to install in a late model Jeep. [​IMG]
     
    dsrt4 and '74Renegade like this.
  8. garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Is there enough throw for the slave cylinder to disengage the clutch? Seems like the rod isn't all in the slave cylinder. That is the slave cylinder I have as well.
     
    Last edited: Sep 23, 2022
  9. garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    There is not a pre existing hole. There is a rivet right near where the push rod lines up. I'll get a picture this weekend.
     
  10. johneyboy03

    johneyboy03 The green beast

    That exactly the slave that i used on my jeep. 10 years no problem.
     
    garage gnome likes this.
  11. garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Finally got the hydraulic clutch working. What a huge improvement in drivability! The tub already had the knockout for the master.

    [​IMG]

    I had to thread the slave cylinder rod to use the original adjustment and add a stiffer return spring. I need to find a better way to clip the spring on other than the line.

    [​IMG]

    Also had to cut the clutch pedal arm to bring it up to the same height as the brake. It was 2" lower before.

    [​IMG]

    I removed one of the rivets because it lined up perfectly with the push rod. Then I took a 1/2" bolt and turned it on the lathe to make it a shoulder bolt.

    [​IMG]
     
  12. bigjohn

    bigjohn Active Member

    Very well done. It sure changes the driving experience, especially twisted up on the trail.

    I didn’t have much time to mess with the conversion so I used the Novak space bracket which is a very nice piece. That said I think I’ll order a slave rebuild kit to add to the trail spares just in case.
     
    jeeper50 likes this.
  13. FlatlanderCJ5

    FlatlanderCJ5 Member

    Here's a picture of my clutch spring and where it attaches to the frame. I have no idea if this was factory or not, I left if in place for reference after I took my jeep apart. The tire you see is the drivers side front.
    clutch spring.jpg
     
    garage gnome likes this.