Background: We swaped out an auto tranny for a T5 on a 302 for a vintage mustang and went with a hydraulic clutch setup. The slave is a CNC push type cylinder that pushes the clutch fork and the master is a Wilwood integrated master .75" bore both bought from Speedwaymotors. http://www.wilwood.com/MasterCylind...me=Integral Reservoir Compact Master Cylinder here is the slave: http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Push-Type-Slave-Cylinder,1944.html Diagnosis: The setup worked great for the first month or so then we get fluid leaking from the boot by the push rod. We replaced it and it lasted for 1yr then again same problem. I took the master apart and found harsh wear in the cylinder bore. The wear seems to be on the lower portion of the cylinder. Its a series of scratches length wise. There is nothing wrong with the slave, no leaks. its pretty good. Irony that the chinese part is outlasting the american one... What I have done: I called Wilwood hoping they could shed some light on this and basically i am quite shocked at their response. They basically say that their product is the best of quality and that the installation was incorrect thus they are free of any obligation. They said as a favor they will accept the cylinder back to inspect it. I then asked them how we correctly install the unit and they said it has to be straight and thats all, there are no instructions and every setup is different. My opinion is that these guys are not trying to help but just off loading their stuff. They are trying to dish off any responsibility. The design seems somewhat flawed as the piston is steel and the cylinder is cast aluminum. The steel piston rides on the sealed cylinder so the guy is right, if you are off by .5 degrees then you will get wear... So basically you are stuck buying a whole pedal assembly to garrantee it being straight if you and this thing to last any length of time... So now I guess I am asking if there is a experienced person that could help me find a solution / suggestion or a good replacement master. I just want to get back on the road again. Cheers, And thank you in advance.
I don't think CNC is made in China , San Diego Co. Chuck Neal Components. But that aside I have had 3 Willwood push type slave cylinders go bad. Same story from tech you got. I think it's a pre programed response. What is happening in mine is the Anodizing wears off, turns the fluid black and cuts the o rings. Rebuilding won't last anytime as bore and shafts are scored. I sometimes wonder if some of the things are made for intermittent roundy round or drag race use???? I put a Smileys slave cylinder on it yesterday. It has a plunger inside instead of the orings in the Willwoods. It was half the price and quality looks better. Time will tell. Is the casting big enough to let you sleeve it in steel? That is a possibility. I know some of the tranny Co'.s are making cable kits for those. I have a cable in my 48 and like it. I used the whole pedal assy from a Foxbody Mustang. I am not sold on the whole hydraulic clutch linkage as me and others I know have lots of trouble with them. I have a hydraulic throwout bearing waiting to replace the slave cylinder when I change engines out in my Roadster. It's only because of clearance issues is why I am using hydraulics in it.
Hey guys, thanks for the response. The fluid i am using is dot4. Yep, scoring is not good. The fluid does turn black, its basically the cylinder wall that is shaving off and oxidizing. I would be interested in trying a different master, but for now i have thrown another one in so i can atleast drive the car...
that looks just like the stock one I just replaced on my '61 Chevy pu. Mine was a lot cheaper , got it at Rock auto on line. They have pictures too. Think Napa has it too. Sorry, I reread, not the slave that is the problem.
I have also had this trouble and have gotten the same response and it is true that if there is a misalignment it will eat into the bore but I have been lookin for a manufacter that has one sleeved so the alignment isnt as big of an issue lumpy
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