Hydraulic Clutch Help Needed.

I would very much like to convert the clutch in my 69 CJ5 225/T14 to hydraulic. I know Novak makes the parts to install the slave but what are you guys doing to install a master cylinder on the stock clutch pedal?

Also are there any challenges installing the Novak system or is it really a plug and play conversion?

Thanks

 

I believe that most hydraulic clutch kits are made for later pedals that come off the firewall. I ran across this some time ago and it may be some good ideas.

Pielut's Hydraulic Clutch Conversion

 

Yeah, make sure Novak intends their kit for through-the-floor pedals, assuming that's what you have. Most hydraulic conversions are part of a change to hanging pedals.

I expect making hydraulic work with through-the-floor pedals will be a considerable engineering project, if possible. Have you searched for examples of this conversion in old posts? site:earlycj5.com through floor pedals hydraulic clutch - Bing Try more or fewer key terms and see if it's been done.

I think the most satisfactory upgrade with these pedals has been to a cable linkage. Supposedly Inline Tube sells a quality replacement for the factory cable that works well.

 

Nah, it's really easy actually. Lemme grab some pics of my setup. Just gotta wait for some daylight.

 

I plan on doing this modification to my ‘55 this spring. Last Spring, I installed a dual reservoir master cylinder with booster and pedal assembly from a ‘91 XJ that had a manual tranny. At the time, I just removed the clutch pedal, but left all the hanging bracket there for the clutch. What’s nice about the XJ hardware, where it mounts on the XJ firewall is flat like a CJ. So this Spring, I will do the clutch. I got a new master and slave for a ‘86 CJ7. I’ll fabricate a bracket for the slave and cut another hole in the firewall for the master. Should be a simple upgrade.

 

Here's how I mounted mine, with through the floor pedals. I still need to work a little on a protective shield of some sort, but it works great.

It's a Clutch Master kit from Speedway, It comes with the pedal, I just didn't use it, just the bracket.

 

This looks like a great set up. Are you able to get a full throw on the push rod? I'd like to do the same, glad to see it works!

 

Indeed, this looks pretty slick. I did not realize the clutch pedal is on the outside of the frame rail, where there is plenty of room.

 

Yes, full travel, I had to make/find a coupler to adjust the lenght of the pushrod, but otherwise, it bolted right in. It takes a little getting used to driving it, as the clutch release feels *completely* different than the original cable setup, but like most things, you get used to it.

 

I love this idea for its simplicity and clean install. If there only there was a way to stuff a brake booster to give power brakes with the though the floor pedals. Hanging pedals in a cj5 is not the PITA it is on a flat fender.

 

You know, I've got a disc conversion, and 11" drums in mine, without boosted brakes, but I did upgrade to a later Master cylinder (Ford E100 is the application), and I've honestly never felt like I needed a booster. But that could just be me.

 

I need one because of my stupid 35" tires and I drive it in the city where I need to be able to stop real fast. I was looking at hydroboost. Decided it was a lot more effort than hacking in some swinging pedals.

 

It would be nice to have, for sure, but I've driven it in seattle traffic enough, that I'm comfortable with it, I don't know that I'd let the girlfriend drive it in traffic though, it does take some leg effort. (Not that it's ever gonna happen, she can't drive stick, and seems to have no interest in learning)

 

You could do remote boosters. My Dad has one with the original single brake system master cylinder on his GPW. That and 11 inch brakes and it stops great.

You would need two or a double unit like the one in this link: Remote Mounted Brake Boosters: Vacuum Booster Solutions For Cramped Engine Compartments

Since you're stretched, you should have room between the frames rails behind the transfer case.

 

We have seen these kinds of remote boosters in some sort of configuration on vintage retrofits and wondered what the canisters were in the engine compartment. Didn't your Father make his own transfer case setup? Something crazy and ingenious? If that's the case, no doubt he was able to make a remote canister booster.

So, yes i stretched my frame, but then I threw it away and built a new one from scratch. There is no longer a provision for floor mounted pedals and I went with swinging pedals and a brake booster out of a later YJ because parts were plentiful, relatively cheap and also had an integral clutch master.

I also have no more room as my stalled 4.3 FI project has the cat in that place.

I would have gone with something like what you posted, but for the price i had my whole setup and leftover cash... So, trade time for money or some such thing. You pay in labor and material or cash.

 

Yeah, he made a bolt-on full-time conversion for a Dana 18. The remote booster on his is from a late 50's ford and mounted under the hood on the passenger side fenderwell.

I didn't realize you already had swinging pedals. I had a similar setup on my old flatfender with a late 60's 7" diameter booster that just cleared the valve cover of the small block ford. I think the Buick and 4.3 V6s are a little taller wider there.

Speedway has a bunch of 7" boosters with dual diaphragms for extra power: Brake Booster | Speedway Motors

You could also get clever. I remember some car that had the booster/master cylinder mounted up by the radiator with really long pushrod.

 

Very nice
Can we see a picture of the slave cylinder end of your setup?
Thanks

 

Yeah, I'll grab a pic or two a bit later

 

Here's my Slave setup.

 

I had the same issues with my clutch I went to Ansen hanging pedals (1980) and converted my brakes at the same time to a dual master with the juice clutch. I think Speedway sells a similar one today. I really didn't want to change all this stuff but in retrospect I'm glad I did...I am now using Wilwood pedals and masters for my 2nd rebuild. I did fab my own brackets off the bellhousing for the slave but now am using a hyd. throw-out bearing.

Dale