Hydraulic Clutch on a '67-'72?

[TP from Cntl PA]

I've been having some on-going health issues which will never go away, and strength in my legs is a problem at times. Anyhow, I always prefered standard vehicles and don't want a slush box ever if I can help it, but I am running a 12" Borg and Beck style clutch in my '72 K-20 with SM465 and its getting harder and harder for me to push that pedal in. I was wonder if I could adapt a hydraulic clutch setup from another GM(Or other brand) to lower the pressure needed to clutch...............Anyone ever do such a thing on one of these trucks? I'd like to keep the SM465 for its low first, as it works slick on the farm............Or I'd drop a NV4500 in it and solve the problem.

Thanks

[mekdad]

The early NV4500 have the low first gear too I know mine does it is a 1993.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

You may want to talk to boardmember yukon jack as I believe he has done the hydro conversion.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=212959

maybe this will help ya out.



http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...earchid=878307


this is also some good reading..

[zeeklu]

Could you lengthen the arms on the z-bar to increase leverage? Just a thought. Chris

[70rs/ss]

An aftermarket bellhousing could have provisions for a hydro clutch, I just wonder if it'll have enough might to overcome the borg and beck pressure plate? An NV 4500 will solve all that and uses the hydro set-up and an over drive to boot. Another possibility is a centerforce clutch they use centrifical force to hold the clutch so the pressure plate push is a lot less than the one you are using? Good luck, maybe some others have a different/better idea??

[Yukon Jack]

Here is my thread on swapping in a hydraulic clutch and hydroboost system in my 69 K20. Using the clutch pedal is easier, but not a whole bunch easier - this was a retrofit of a hydraulic clutch assembly and engine from a 1989 1 ton truck, maybe an aftermarket system would give a lighter clutch pedal. Unfortunately, I don't think my setup would solve your problem very well.

[70rs/ss]

I think the hydro clutch will help, but a good clutch as I mentioned above that will clamp without excessive pressure to disengage will help as well\, the Borg and Beck style is just three fingers as opposed to a diaphram type with 20-30 littler fingers. The diaphram type clutch is easier to disengage as far as pressure needed on the peddle and the hydro set up will lessen it even more. I have a hydro clutch in my 90 truck with an NV3500 trans and the travel is fairly short and light compared to the manual clutch in my Blazer or the Camaro. TP from PA, I'd swap a diaphram pressure plate and clutch first, and see if that alone is more manageble, if it is better but not good enough, then look to swap in a bellhousing that'll except a hydro clutch. Good luck!

[TP from Cntl PA]

I thought one of the big 3 ran a external cylinder on the throwout arm outside the bell housing.(Maybe Ford on their Diesels?) I was wondering about doing something such as that.

Never thought about lengthening the z-bar..........Interesting observation. Maybe adding length to the throwout arm as well would help out alot.

Anyone here run a centerforce or other "Expensive" clutch in a truck used for pulling? I know the pedal pressure would be less, but I am concerned about the "lock up". We pull alot of things with this old pickup, and starting a heavy dead load moving out of a field is trying on clutches..........The old Borg and Beck style seemed to always hold up the best, and we put them in everthing we had(Even the little 1/2 tons which had the smaller finger style pressure plates which didn't hold up at all for us).

I really hate to mess with this truck, got the darn thing just the way I wanted it too............Always something.

[70rs/ss]

You could try a heavy duty clutch with ceramic plates as opposed to the organic facing. I have used the Ceterforce and have great luck with it behind a 500hp BBC and it nevy seemed to slip, I know your truck is a different monster, but the clamping load is solid. They also have dual surface clutches with organic on one side and ceramic on the other to get a locked up feel. The NV4500's had the linkage on or in the bellhousing, but to run the SM 465 you'd need the older style mounts so a scattershield set-up for a hydro set-up would work or possibly the bellhousing out of a new hydro clutched 1-ton??

[Yukon Jack]

Here is a thread on an aftermarket setup that you might want to read.

[steelhorse]

I have used a centerforce in a 450hp Road runner and never had a problem.I cant see having any problems and a street driven truck even if you do tow.