Hydraulic or Mechanical Clutch

[fuelpump]

Would like some feed back on the merits of Mechanical or Hydraulic clutch for a Ford Sierra 5 speed box coupled to a 1275cc engine.

[katy]

I'm not familiar with that setup, but I will say that I've had hydraulic actuated clutches on various vehicles over the years and much prefer the mechanical actuated. Too many problems w/the hydraulics. The only disadvantage with mechanical is that they have to be adjusted once in a while, which is no big deal.

[fuelpump]

Thank you for reply, Katy ... seems nobody has ever attached a Sierra 5 speed to a 1275cc engine !

Hm, Derek

[kittyfell]

Oh I know many have, and I think on the whole they use a hydraulic clutch with a concentric release bearing. But it's a LOT of work.

[fuelpump]

Again Katy, thank you. I'm surprised that the folks who have actualy gone through this process have not jump in on the topic. Anyway I was'nt aware that the box/clutch internals were involved. Also, I guess there is a special kit for the 5 speed as opposed to the normal hydraulic kit advertised.
Derek .... I'm in New York, USA

[kittyfell]

Obviously most of the work is involved with removing the original Minor clutch pedal, and then installing a a hydraulic master cylinder/reservoir/pedal arrangement. I will just be sticking with the 1098 gearbox when I finally get round to fitting a 1275 engine.

[Mogwai]

Ive been using a mechanical setup for years & currently midway through converting to concentric hydraulic actuation
the mechanical system is a bit of a lashup but works ok. It uses a bracket bolted to the box so the cross shaft can be used. the original release fork is then mounted on a sliding pivot so a special release bearing can be mounted on the guide tube around the 1st motion shaft. also if your using a different clutch cover to the std 1098 one you may need to lengthen one of the cross shaft leavers to maintain an effective ratio (I had to do this when I changed to a sierra diaphragm clutch cover).
As for the hydraulic one I've got as far as mounting the master cylinder with a bracket from JLH but cant go any further with it now until I've rebuilt my engine as i need to make some measurements between the box & clutch for a concentric slave cyl

This book although Midget based has a lot of info on conversions that are still relevant to the Minor
http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=V3ST ... q=&f=false

[Jefftav]

Hi Fuelpump, I stuck with the mechanical clutch arrangement as I could really see any benefit it converting to the hydraulic clutch. As it seemed like more work and cost for not much gain.
I think the usual suppliers sell a kit to convert to a hydraulic clutch using the existing pedals.

[fuelpump]

Thanks Guys, As I have ordered the Sierra box with the mechanical clutch and in the absence fo any advise to the contrary, I'll stick with that ... until I rip off the seat back trying to depress the clutch !
Cheers, Derek