Clutch problem

[fcriha]

I have MK-4 with a 351W and TKO 600 transmission. I am using a RAM 78130 hydraulic clutch. I just got the car street legal and have about 400 miles on it when I developed a serious leak in the slave cylinder (hydraulic throw out bearing). My question is: can you pull the transmission without pulling the engine or removing the top of the transmission tunnel?

FCRiha

[dallas_]

I pulled mine with the engine in, but did have to remove the top of the transmission tunnel to do it.
You may be able to do it from underneath, I did not try that.

Oh, by the way, it was a PITA.

[CHOTIS BILL]

Whitch slave cylinder are you using? I am thinking about using the Ram clutch and slave cylinder.

Bill Lomenick

[fcriha]

I used the RAM 78130 http://pitstopusa.com/i-5076133-ram-automotive-street-hydraulic-release-bearing-t-5-applications.html The system worked well until I developed a hydraulic leak. Now the problem is trying to remove the transmission without pulling the engine or removing the transmission tunnel. Presently I have removed the drive shaft, unbolted the transmission from the bell housing, removed the top plate and shifting arm from the trqansmission. I think my next step is to try to unbolt the bell housing.

[TimC]

You did remove the A-Frame didn't you? It should come out. It may require some contorting but it will.

[fcriha]

Yes, the A frame was easy to remove. After removing the transmission shift arm I was able to slide the transmission back toa point where it hit the rear main frame cross member. I still don't have enough room to clear the bellhousing. I am now trying to unbolt the bellhousing from the engine. I probably needed to do this anyway so I can double check the clearances between the transmission and the slave cylinder.

fcriha

[Jacob McCrea]

For what it's worth, if the trans tunnel is like a Coupe, it may be easier to just remove the sheet metal top of the trans tunnel and cut out one or more of those 3/4inch square triangulating tubes, as discussed in post nos. 72-74 in the thread below, then modify the triangulating tubes so that they bolt back in place. Of course, if you have 55 rivets and a carpet in place, my suggestion probably makes no sense and it would be easier to just move the engine forward.

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?2324-Frame-Mods-to-Type-65-Coupe/page2

[fcriha]

Unfortunately the 55 rivets, sealer, insulation and carpet are in place. BTW earlier in this thread I identified the slave cylinder as a RAM 78130 but it is, in fact a RAM 78132.

[dallas_]

I have no experience with hydraulic TO bearings, but have heard that there have been a number of problems with them.

You might want to consider a regular TO bearing with an external hydraulic slave. Forte's sells a unit that a lot of people have used successfully. Just a thought.

[Jester]

You may want to remove the engine mount bolts etc and lift the engine forward until the trans can be pulled (input shaft clears the bell housing). I have a TKO 600 that was partially pulled for another reason and would have dropped out if needed