Why is a Hydraulic Clutch Better than Mechanical?

Рет қаралды 113,759

7 жыл бұрын

Kevin Tetz and Gray Fredrick go through the technical details and math required to successfully install your American Powertrain Hydramax clutch kit. For more information and to get the right Hydramax clutch for your application.
For more info on American Powertrain, head over to AmericanPowertrain.com.
For additional information on the #ProjectRedrum Trans Am, go to:
www.gm-efi.com/category/projec...

Пікірлер: 107

@dickyevery3956 4 жыл бұрын

I thoroughly enjoyed this video, but throughout the whole thing I was waiting for you guys to do the right thing....but it never happened... Who exactly produced the clutch pedal, and slave cylinder bracket? I KNOW! Not American Powertrain! That great piece of ingenuity was manufactured and shipped to these guys from @sickspeedmonte. Bernie has been a legend in the G-Body community for the longest time, and it's not right to fail to acknowledge that in a video like this. -5 points

@imp3rial744 4 жыл бұрын

I’m about to buy a 92 integra with a mechanical clutch. Only over driven hydraulic before. Went for a test drive and had a lot of difficulty. It will take some time to get used it

@SuperWh1tey 4 жыл бұрын

How come american powertrain can't figure out what the dimensions are inside a bellhousing and sold me a setup that wouldn't fit?

@zfdoc 7 ай бұрын

Statement at 7:22 should have been "then you won't have to take shims out of it" instead of "then you won't have to add shims into it". I believe you meant to say. Finnigan demonstrated gap readjustment by pulling a shim out after diaphragm fingers migrated rearward following operational clutch wear. ZFDoc at ZR51 Performance

@powerviking 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for showing the math part!

@funtimeswithtom4108 3 жыл бұрын

I have a 2003 Mazda with a 5 speed manual with a mechanical clutch and I love driving it on the weekends. I just bought a 2021 VW with a 6 speed manual and hydraulic clutch and after a week I'm still stalling in first. On the mechanical clutch I can feel when it engages and can start applying the gas but on the hydraulic clutch I can't tell when it engages because it is a fluid motion when releasing. Hopefully I can figure it out soon.

@kadenatkinson8526 2 жыл бұрын

I have the same issue I just bought a built up 08 c6 vette and I can’t feel a bite point like in my 5 speed truck and it really makes it difficult to know when to give it gas.

@wyattnyfeler7270 2 жыл бұрын

@@kadenatkinson8526 when I learned to drive manual in my Subaru Forester with a very light hydraulic clutch I would just rev it up to 2000 rpm and slowly release the clutch which is definitely not a great idea for the health of the clutch but it worked for the amount of time that I was still figuring out how to drive manual and slowly got better and better at fine tuning how much gas I needed to apply at which point I was at in the clutch and now I have no problems with it but I’m gonna have to learn it again in my 67 international pickup but it’s a lot harder to stall the other day I put it in reverse and let out the clutch quicker than I should’ve and chirped the tires without pressing the gas pedal lol

@joerandom756 2 жыл бұрын

In all the vehicles I drove never have I had to replace machanical clutch parts. Everyone that was wet clutch had something go out. The semi with 1.6 mill I drove has the original machanical clutch parts on it.

@guitarsandcars2586 2 жыл бұрын

Mechanical clutches are more difficult for daily driving and performance compared to a hydraulic clutch. Easier and smother the clutch, the more enjoyable the daily driveability and the faster the track times are. The 85 mustang I had did have a mechanical clutch and it was like doing leg presses every shift and holding it was even rougher. Not practical.

@joerandom756 2 жыл бұрын

@@guitarsandcars2586 sorry but that's wrong a skilled driver can make a mechanical clutch smooth as silk. Also why would you want a device on a daily driver that is prone to failure like a wet clutch is? I'll tell you the samething they told us in truck driving when a driver complained about the clutch pedal being hard to push done. They said "they make automatics for that, otherwise you'll just have to get better at driving." Power steering, wet clutches, automatics, traction control, ect. are all devices that take less skill to operate a vehicle. Nothing more nothing less.

@Krankie_V Жыл бұрын

@@joerandom756 1. A hydraulic actuated clutch and a wet clutch are two completely different things. 2. Mechanical clutch linkage and manual steering require no more skill than hydraulic clutch and power steering do. They only require more physical effort, and that has little to nothing to do with skill. For example, a person could have big muscles and still not be a good fighter, and another could have less muscle but be a much better fighter because that person is more skilled. Physical strength is not the same as skill.

@Krankie_V Жыл бұрын

@chewybrand238 4 жыл бұрын

My 64 Ford clutch is mechanical with no hydraulic leaks! Can't use hedders though.

@astm1554 4 жыл бұрын

Will this work on a '69 Mustang 428 CJ with a four speed toploader and long tube headers?

@kecah04 4 жыл бұрын

Question: is the pilot shaft the same between manufacturers?

@gc3022 8 ай бұрын

1992 chevy k1500 nv4500, changed master and slave cylinder, and clutch kit, throw-out bearing, pilot bushing, flywheel, clutch and pressure plate, blew out 2 slave cylinders, first one split on casing (plastic), the 2nd (Luk) one gave out replaced seals from the plastic one, built pressure, lasted 1 drive then gave out too, haven't seen where it's leaking from yet, any ideas, or any recommendations on a heavy-duty slave cylinder

@Yaamaazz 5 жыл бұрын

My b3000 has one. pretty great so far, changing the fluid every few weeks is a pain but i love it none the less

@Brass_Heathen 3 жыл бұрын

Every few weeks?!?! Yeah I'll stay mechanical.

@Krankie_V Жыл бұрын

There's no reason to change the fluid that often. Every 3 years or so is plenty. Same as brake fluid.

@keithtaylor4795 5 жыл бұрын

I want to basically take what the linkeg hooks to on inside my f150 and turn it to same on out side

@BobSmith-wz1pm 5 жыл бұрын

So have a Honda drove lots of Manuel's put this one o have to push all the way down to shift the other cars push it have way of 3/4 of the way any reason why I have to push all the way down?

@Krankie_V Жыл бұрын

That's the nature of a hydraulic. That's why race car guys stick with mechanical clutches, less pedal movement

@2jzfrank 2 жыл бұрын

Mine just arrive and my T56 magnum yeah!! 😁

@stevetalbert2727 3 жыл бұрын

Try getting freeplay when the Disc wears. You can't adjust it.

@l.munnier9658 3 жыл бұрын

Until the SEAL STARTS TO LEAK. STAY OLD SCHOOL !!

@kevinguerra631 3 жыл бұрын

Where can I buy

@jamiewatchorn7639 4 жыл бұрын

Mines cable. I fitted a new clutch in a day, then adjusted the clutch right up whilst I boiled the kettle. My mate changed his clutch on his old car and he's now looking at also having to replace the master and slave cylinder as it's still not working, plus he spent a good 20 minutes bleeding it on his own. Mechanical clutches are miles better if you need to work on it

@guitarsandcars2586 2 жыл бұрын

But are not as good for daily driveability and performance. The only car I had with a mechanical clutch was an 85 mustang and that thing was like doing leg presses every shift. I'll never use a mechanical clutch on my vehicles again after that car.

@ethanlowry8757 2 жыл бұрын

Honestly unless you are totally shit at clutching it should not make any difference in the smoothness of the the clutch but as for effort the cable clutch is harder but atleast you get a lot better feel on a cable clutch.

@atman5230 6 жыл бұрын

How often does the hydraulic fluid have to be changed? every few years? is it easy to do?

@fireblazer6661 5 жыл бұрын

My clutch uses my brake fluid for the clutch as well as brakes.

@Krankie_V Жыл бұрын

Every 3 years or so would be ideal. Some systems are easier to cleed than others. A vacuum or pressure bleeding tool makes the process a LOT easier.

@leetos.4915 Жыл бұрын

It’s in your manual book from your manufacturer

@joseesparza2364 10 ай бұрын

I'll take a mechanical setup any day over hydraulic.

@mikeskidmore6754 5 жыл бұрын

I have wore out a few light Duty mechanical clutch systems in Medium Duty Trucks Many Heavy duty Trucks have more adjusting places.. I did an engine and trans swap in a 1968 FWD old style single disc 14" push type clutch Hydraulic .. I had to replace it with a pull type 14" dual disc set up .. So I went with a Mac Pedal assembly because Mac uses a cable Clutch .. With Pull Type Clutches you have to adjust a gap with a 3/8" or 1/2" Feller gauge that I made out of plate steel.. You need a good return spring so your throw bearing does not touch the clutch while not engaged and burn out the throw out bearing .. Also you need a Clutch brake to get a non Synchronized transmission into gear.. My '79 Z-28 Camaro has a mechanical Clutch .. I put a piece of plywood on the floor boards so I don't have to push the clutch in farther than Necessary . I put the ball and socket in wrong once and the spring steel broke after I was in a drag race .. I shut the car off and then the engine would not turn over.. I thought the engine was seized towed it home pulled engine out and clang clang the piece that webbed between starter and flywheel fell out.. Nothing wrong with the engine .. bought a new Heavy Duty clutch fork .. Pulled the heads off did a little port work and put it all back together.. I assume the magnum T-56 has no Provisions for a mechanical Clutch fork so I will have to buy this Hydraulic kit with my LS Swap .. I put a Doug Nash 5 speed in my car it really shifted slow at high RPM';s I replaced a diaphragm clutch with a 3 finger Borg and Beck type cluth it made no difference .. than 30 years later I watched a Video on now to Blue print the Doug Nash 5 speed the gears are so heavy it just does not shift well. but this guy in FL has better synchro's that have more bite.. It's time to Upgrade to a stronger trans than the original T-10 but that has two Overdrives.. This Video did not explain what they were measuring .. But it looks like from Bell housing to Clutch Fingers.. then from Trans housing to the front of the Throw out bearing .. Then you use Shims until you have 0.150" clearance Then he Rambled on about how to adjust it in the future but he did not explained how .. We know in a Disc brake Caliper .. the piston just keeps moving .. and it takes more brake fluid out of reservoir to fill the void in the moved piston.. It does not look that Complicated and could be explained better I am sure .. I will look up the Tranny Guy in FL he is very articulate..

@TheParrottStan 6 жыл бұрын

My first car was hydraulic friends of mine couldn't even start it and they drove sticks

@mikeskidmore6754 5 жыл бұрын

OK I have another Problem .. he just said NO MORE THOW OUT BEARING ??? I find that impossible to believe .. Looks to me like the shiny silver thing is a Throw out bearing .. Oh I assume you still have to have a Pilot bearing or bushing too ??? In the old small Block Chevy was a Bronze Bushing .. in the Heavy Trucks I am used to is a bearing with very special high temp Grease in it .. My Medium Duty Truck with a 12" dual disk set up the throw out bearings didn't last long in high temp low speed off road use .. but for say $24.00 instead of for $18.00 you could get one for high temp that lasted much longer.. and I have an Air Brake trans brake because it's not a pull clutch it's a push clutch .. I used to bust the hubs out the clutched spinning jerking bouncing in soft snow with dual triple chains on the Tandem dual wheels .. It's a lot of work pulling out a 650 # 13 speed transmission a Baby 13 speed that is

@mikeskidmore6754 5 жыл бұрын

OK I watched a second time .. The Magazine guy sort of explained measuring from the bellhousing surface of the engine to the clutch fingers.. then you measure from the tans bell housing surface to the front of the throw out Bearing .. Then the American Drive Train guy said put the shims behind the Bearing .. then later he called it a throw out Bearing .. So I guess the shiny do dad is a throw out bearing .. Even though he said installing hydraulic system eliminates the throw out bearing ..Definitely not a good idea to try and multi task while some one talks in circles .. you have to pay closer attention and watch the Video again ..

@69RIDING Жыл бұрын

THE PILOT BUSHING HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS SETUP. THATS WHERE YOUR INPUT SHAFT GOES IN THE CRANK.

@KRWNZZ Жыл бұрын

Bro I’m just looking for a 1 min video saying hydraulic clutch does this compare to a cable wire clutch. Boom done I don’t care what older car has it nor what other would do to make it work like a hydraulic clutch if you have a cabled one

@jessicaabner1212 4 жыл бұрын

my 400 rwhp 67 barracuda mechanical clutch is alot easier to push than my 2015 mustang gt

@gsheverything_2716 3 жыл бұрын

Get a clutch spring for 20 bucks to smooth out the clutch

@todds5956 2 жыл бұрын

Who makes it?

@MrSprintcat 2 жыл бұрын

American power train makes it .stay away. Nothing but Griff , I bought a kit from them , no cut low cut .LIE LIE LIE .and they sold the kit to a lot of people knowing this. I could go on and on.

@bassmasterbri 5 жыл бұрын

I think a hydraulic clutch using an external slave cylinder and self centering stock style t/o bearing is more reliable design....

@bootyman234 5 жыл бұрын

"Reliable" is NOT an advantage of a hydraulic clutch, no matter where the slave is. Cables are more direct, don't have lines and fittings that can bursts or leak, take up less real estate and are offered with fire wall adjusters! Just keep it shielded and away from exhaust headers and you're good to go. P.S. "Self centering" T/O bearings are a gimmick. Unless the bearing is sitting on a crooked input shaft, it's centered!

@bassmasterbri 5 жыл бұрын

I agree mechanical is the way to go whenever possible, just saying an external design like I used to make kits with is more reliable than the internal type....

@bootyman234 5 жыл бұрын

@@bassmasterbri Okay I feel ya. =)

@KevinRoadrageGarage 3 жыл бұрын

I wish I could afford a 6 speed

@bootyman234 3 жыл бұрын

I wish WE could too. =)

@tonys901 4 жыл бұрын

It's a zed bar Kevin, don't forget your roots

@mikeskidmore6754 5 жыл бұрын

Explaining how Clutches work kzfaq.info/get/bejne/b7udpaadl9Swe4E.html

@jamesford2942 3 жыл бұрын

I just love pulling my transmission to fix the leaking internal slave cylinder. I will take properly set up mechanical linkage all day long over hydraulic. Never use DOT 5 fluid as it will be a failed slave in no time. They also didn't talk about boiling the fluid if you run the exhaust too close. Mechanical linkage works great if it is set up properly and it is adjustable for wear. Watch out for the over center spring on the Borg and Beck clutch equipt cars, if you change to diaphragm pressure plate your pedal can end up stuck to the floor.

@DD-gi6kx 3 жыл бұрын

I assume you stick to mechanical injectors too

@177SCmaro 2 жыл бұрын

@@DD-gi6kx Mechanical fuel injection is a thing, esp in drag racing. Most of them are quite good.

@DD-gi6kx 2 жыл бұрын

@@177SCmaro I am quite aware mech injection is a thing, been on diesel equip for years, but how many new cars and trucks are running mech injection over EFI, just cause old technology worked great in the day doesn't mean newer tech isn't better...I'll take EFI over mech and hyd clutch over mech any day...was the point of my post

@177SCmaro 2 жыл бұрын

@@DD-gi6kx Just because newer technology works better for you doesn't mean older technology is without merit for others. I utilize both, myself. Old car, modern engine.

@henryholliday1 2 жыл бұрын

@@177SCmaro if it ain't broke don't fix it is how I work

@jacck123 5 жыл бұрын

Didn’t like hydraulic clutch feel like lag

@bootyman234 6 жыл бұрын

A hydraulic clutch is just one more thing that has lines and fluid in it that can leak! I'll take my cable any day.

@chrismansker8870 6 жыл бұрын

I agree just more stuff to fail and hydraulic parts do fail

@bootyman234 6 жыл бұрын

I have an adjustable unit with an aluminum quadrant and it's silky smooth. =)

@heinzletzte.6385 6 жыл бұрын

Hydraulic clutchds dont reset as quickly whe you lift your foot. Thats a pain in the ass if you double clutch.

@Mcleod0000 5 жыл бұрын

my slave cylinder went on my car , it just poped as I was lifting my foot and it jumped into gear . then when I pushed the clutch down and went to put it in gear it grinded , took a second to figure it out . It was a sad day

@newhallgeorge1 4 жыл бұрын

I've had too many cables fail. I'd rather have a hydraulic clutch.

@fuqutube 2 жыл бұрын

Replace both... When you see one cost a few hundred and the other is thousands you might change your mind.

@KLNYC 2 жыл бұрын

Slave cylinder u mean? Not master cylinder

@SandGorak Жыл бұрын

Mr interviewer is on nose candy and cant wait for that toilet break.

@Stephen-rb7mp 5 жыл бұрын

Sorry, I'll stick with my mechanical clutch. Nothing to leak, don't have to bleed it, and it will last forever.

@camjohnson1575 5 жыл бұрын

Where can you find the mechanical clutch kits?

@Stephen-rb7mp 5 жыл бұрын

Cam Johnson Dude I'm not sure. My truck is a 79 and came with one.

@Krankie_V Жыл бұрын

Nothing lasts forever.

@mikeskidmore6754 5 жыл бұрын

This is how Bill Grumpy Jenkins shifts a Muncie 4 speed .. By a 69 Camaro with 427 for $3,500 and win $250,000 drag racing with it !!! kzfaq.info/get/bejne/pclza7CmyrnXj3U.html

@SPEEDOFDOG 3 жыл бұрын

Yeah no thanks. I’ll stick with mechanical. At 60 years old I’ve never had a problem with any of the old school setups that weren’t simple to fix. Hydraulic? All have failed me at some point with no easy roadside fix.

@robertkelton5831 3 жыл бұрын

Amen! Blow a slave cylinder & you're screwed. Two different times I had to crash box a 5spd Cummins thru Houston traffic. Fuck hydraulic.

@EbilEnemyofBurgerTown 3 жыл бұрын

@@robertkelton5831 I’m pretty sure that you either have not done any maintenance or failed to check any thing for damage. Besides hydraulic clutches are very similar to hydraulic brakes.

@bootyman234 6 жыл бұрын

Every bit of your foot movement TRANSLATES or is TRANSMITTED into, not calculates. =)

@Rizzzstir 2 жыл бұрын

Math oooo math

@readyplayerzack 2 жыл бұрын

Pretty sure they messed up the math and were supposed to put 6 shims in lol

@OEMishGarage 3 жыл бұрын

The number of crotchety old men in here selecting mechanical clutch linkages as their hill to die on is hilarious.

@tulagi1 2 жыл бұрын

Careful, you'll one day be a crotchety old man.................if you live long enough.

@OEMishGarage 2 жыл бұрын

@@tulagi1 I'm not sure that "people age" is the epiphanic zinger you think it to be.

@davegonzalez822 2 жыл бұрын

@@OEMishGarage All I see is all these guys complaining about a hyd clutch. Nobody is making you get a Hyd clutch so quick bitching about it..

@Krankie_V Жыл бұрын

For real man so many angry boomers in here. My f150 has over 200k miles and just got its second replacement slave cylinder. Yeah the job sucks to change it but it's not some crazy unreliable junk that fails all the time. It was about time to replace the clutch anyway.

@charlesjenkins5087 Жыл бұрын

No doubt. That's about all I read in the comments. Back off fellas. My 98 Saturn with 280000 miles has had 0 problems with its hydraulic clutch. Not even a flush.

@misterbulger 2 жыл бұрын

My mustang's clutch is far heavier than the dump truck I drive

@juanc5149 4 жыл бұрын

Eh, I can calf raise 5 times my weight or more. Bring on the stiff clutch pedals.

@lokkotez 4 жыл бұрын

Dathernia

@sjz1254 5 жыл бұрын

Check your math... you actually need 6 shims. I know its an easy mistake to make, but it should be .569/.09

@82cadena 5 жыл бұрын

You forgot theyre trying to leave around .150 for gap.

@bobocaterpillar3697 3 жыл бұрын

dumb. why would you add so many possible failure points?? if you cant drive a properly installed mechanical clutch, go get a prius - (with a hydraulic clutch)