Hydraulic vs. cable clutch assembly

[RJF9301]

I have a MK II with a 302 Mustang engine, Borg Warner T-5 transmission with a jury-rigged cable arrangement that must be replaced. I would like some thoughts on either installing a cable with quadrant arrangement or a hydraulic system. The car is not raced so that type of shifting is not a consideration.

[Jeff Kleiner]

There are about a million Mustangs out driving around with cable systems, probably 95% still getting reliable service from the original one installed at the factory. Unless you've got some super high effort clutch why reinvent the wheel?

Jeff

[skullandbones]

I would vote for the hydraulic version. I think you can mount an external master cylinder next to your brake master by using a slim Wilwood that is small and the mounting tabs are on top and bottom (app $60). The slave cylinder would be even easier but you need a pull type slave since it is easiest to mount in front of the clutch arm which must be pulled forward just as the cable would do. I saw them from $35 to $60 at Speedway. Then you just run a single hydraulic line and you're done. I think the removal of the driver's side F panel and left tire would give someone access to the area for the MC install which would be the most difficult one. You might have to customize a clutch push rod but maybe you will luck out with that. There is a vendor Mike Forte who might have a system already designed for this use. You could check it out. I couldn't find one on the website but it is a new site and I'm not familiar with it. I think a call would be the best way to get a definite answer. They are very helpful with these odd issues and know the cars very well. A competent hot rod builder could install this in a few hours. I'm not sure if a garage that just does OEM type vehicles would be interested or easy to find.

Note: the reason I am suggesting the hydraulic is that I am not sure if you will be able to access the area where your pedal box is installed. If you could get to it and install a proper quadrant that would be the simplest solution.

Good luck,

WEK.

[RJF9301]

Thanks Wek and Jeff. I am favoring the hydraulic as those that have seen the pictures of my current arrangement (previous Thread on "Adjusting Clutch Engagement" on 9-2-2014) know that it is a real mess and I suspect that a cable and quadrant would require complete removal of the pedal box to retrofit the quadrant and its axle arm or totally replacing the existing pedal box. In either situation, I think that access through the footbox would require a lot of cutting where as the hydraulic is mostly fitted outside the footbox. Lastly and thankfully, I do have a very talented fabricator that focuses solely on complete restorations and has done major work on this car. Bob

[mike forte]

Hi RF,
I personally developed the firewall clutch adjuster for the 1982-2004 Mustangs. It made clutch adjustments as easy as a twist of the adjuster at the firewall.
That said the FFR uses a Wilwood pedal box and is not a Mustang. FFR adapted the firewall adjuster to the MK III and MK IV to operate the Mustang cable for actuation.
Lots of people like the external slave hydraulic setup that I make multiple models for the Mustang & QuickTime bellhousings.
So if you're wanting a complete external hydraulic master & slave kit, give me a call.

Mike Forte
Forte's Parts Connection Inc.
508 875 0016

mikeforte302@gmail.com