reworking the clutch slave cylinder setup

[62Healeyhacker]

The mount I made for the slave cylinder on my Healey/Buick 215" flexes and is not perfectly aligned. It there a way to keep the slave setup or am I going to be forced to get a hydraulic throwout bearing. The frame rails on the AH are only 17" apart so the space to work in is tight. Does anyone make a mount which bolts to the bellhousing? I have seen these on SB Ford engines.
   If I need to resort to a hydraulic TO bearing which is reliable for the least amount of money? I've noticed an extreme variation in prices.
Any ideas?

[Moderator]

Sometimes home-made parts don't work out and you get to go back to the drawing board... but the cost of making a second (differently designed) bracket is probably less than buying a new slave cylinder.

Just for reference, this is what my home-made bracket looks like:


(Credit where credit is due... this bracket was actually designed and made for my car by one of my buddies, Rob Henson. So it's home-made, but not by me. The strut that runs forward to an oil pan bolt was obviously an afterthought; added to stiffen things up. It's simply half inch box tubing with washers at both ends... very "minimal" but it does the job.)

[7sand8s]

Curtis
Could you give us more info?
Brand and Part Number of slave cylinder.
Thanks
PS A great design!

[Moderator]

It's a Girling cylinder. I've noticed that similar cylinders were used on many, many vintage British racecars. For example:


These are available in several sizes/configurations. Start here... http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/productselection.asp?Product=3520

Now, I'm not sure I'd use a Girling slave cylinder if I didn't already have one. Some of the new pull-type cylinders are really nifty. Something to keep in mind: I shortened the stock Buick throw-out fork to suit this installation, so there's less leverage and consequently higher pedal effort than the original Buick system would've had. Fitting a diaphragm-type pressure plate (in lieu of Buick's old three-finger plate) got pedal effort back down.

[62Healeyhacker]

Nice looking bracket. I'm sure the angled support to the pan bolt is needed because a lot of pressure is put against the bracket and the single bolt on the side of the block isn't adequate.
Many thanks for the prompt responses.

[roverman]

Jerry, there are also, "push/pull" slave cylinders available. Their sold by companies like Stock Car Products, etc. Sometimes "pulling" the arm is easier. Good Luck, roverman.