clutch- internal slave cylinder problem

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Mar 23, 2003 | 12:05 AM

fordaholic429

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clutch- internal slave cylinder problem

Here is a question for you hands on shadetree (or real) mechanics. My dad has a 88 F-250 with the POS internal hydrallic throw out bearing. He has replaced it twice already- once during a clutch change and once cause it was leaking. Well its leaking again and he was wondering if there is a way to change it to the external slave cylinder style like I have on my 86 Bronco, or if there is another option? Does anybody sell a kit? What years could we get parts off of to do a swap? The tranny is a 5 speed, BW T-18 I think. We want to do this as cheap and easy as possible. Yeah, I know what they say, If it was cheap and easy everyone would do it. But we would appreciate any and all suggestions. Somebody must have tried this or at least thought about it. Everybody I talk to locally says that this was NOT one of Fords better ideas. They all seem to have a story about problems with these hydraullic clutch systems. At least if the slave cylinder was external it would be easier to fix. Thanks in advance for any ideas or help. Paul

Mar 23, 2003 | 12:18 AM

Racerguy

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clutch- internal slave cylinder problem

Hi fordaholic429 and welcome to FTE

If the truck has a 5 speed it is either a Mazda M5OD or a ZF. What size engine does it have?
Were the slave cylinders your Dad installed genuine Ford or cheap aftermarket ones? The Ford ones are better now than they used to be. They seem to last longer. As for converting it to an external system I think that would be very difficult to do but anything is possible. Some ZFs had external slave cylinders but I think that was just with 460 or diesel engines.

Mar 23, 2003 | 09:21 AM

fordaholic429

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clutch- internal slave cylinder problem

Hi Dave, thanks for the quick reply. He used genuine Ford parts, that was about 2 years ago and its leaking again. The engine is a 351, or 5.8 if you're a youngster. Its 2 wheel drive also. So is it the Mazda tranny? A guy at a parts store told me it was a Borg Warner T-18. Anyway do you know what year had this tranny and an external clutch setup? If any of them did. I hate to have to pull that big heavy sob every couple of years to fix the leaks. Thanks again. Paul
65 Mustang, 68 Mustang, 70 Boss 302, 70 Torino Cobra, 72 Mach 1, 86 Bronco. 96 Ranger.

Mar 23, 2003 | 11:11 AM

Racerguy

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clutch- internal slave cylinder problem

BW T18's were 4 speeds. With a 351 it should have a ZF. The BW used a seperate bellhousing and was a cast iron transmission. The ZF is bellhousing and transmission all in one piece and is aluminum. I dont recall seeing a ZF on a 351 with an external slave cylinder. Only on the 460 and diesel and they wont bolt to a 351.
In a 2wd truck it really isnt that hard to pull the trans out.....ok,ok.....I have a hoist and a transmission jack so maybe I'm spoiled

I'd be inclined to just put another slave in it and hope for the best. Is the clutch getting stiff or anything that would put extra pressure on the slave cylinder?

Mar 23, 2003 | 11:14 AM

steve83

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clutch- internal slave cylinder problem

Here's what they look like. The sticker in the door jamb has a TRANS code that IDs it - "M" is the M5OD & "Z" is the ZF S5-42. The T-18 would be A, B, or F.

Mar 24, 2003 | 10:05 AM

fordaholic429

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clutch- internal slave cylinder problem

Thanks Racerguy and Steve83, I was hoping that an earlier year truck would have used the external clutch slave setup and we could do a fairly simple swap. oh well I guess we'll just put another internal in and see what how long it lasts. The clutch pedal feels fine, just leaks, drips out of the bell housing, and has to be filled after every trip to town. The 88 is just his work truck now cause he bought a '03 F-250 for long trips. With the limited use the 88 will be getting now the new slave should last.
Thanks again for the information. This is a great site, with helpfull people. I appreciate it. If you ever have any Torino or Mustang questions, I could probly help you out.
Paul