Mercutio
SCCoA Member
Some of you know about my 57 Thunderbird project. If not: I have a 57 Thunderbird that now has a 4.6 DOHC and T45 in it. The project is close to completion--the engine runs, and I've even driven the car with the new drivetrain, but the clutch setup is giving us fits. We've used the original 57 clutch pedal assembly, aftermarket JMC hydraulic setup and what we think is the factory clutch from a 96-98 Mustang. There are two problems that are probably related. First problem: there's almost know throw to the clutch pedal. I can't see it hitting anything, but it has maybe two inches of total travel. I drove the car on the factory engine & trans combo, so that's not a symptom of the stock design. Second problem: good God is the clutch stiff. It's pretty much an on/off switch. It takes all the strength I have to push it in, and I'm just not strong enough to let it out slowly--when I ease up on it a tiny bit, it just comes out all the way. This is the last major hurdle to the car's completion, so any help you guys can offer me on hydraulic clutches in general would be awesome.