c-4 clutch slave cylinder

[mike mccagh]

anybody had experience with rotating the slave cylinder 180 degrees as it fastens to the bellhousing on a c-4 with ZF6 tranny? reason i ask is twofold: when installed per the factory configuration, the bleeder valve is pointing towards mother earth and i've never know air bubbles to sink in hydraulic fluid and secondly, plumbing the slave cyl in the 41 willys with LT5/ZF6 would be easier. thanks, mike

[Joe L.]

Re: c-4 clutch slave cylinder

Mike-----

The GM instructions for bleeding the slave cylinder call for it to be rotated so that the bleeder valve is on the top during the bleeding operation. Then, it's to be rotated 180 degrees (ie. with the bleeder valve on the bottom) for final installation. This is a REAL PAIN, to say the least. But, that's what the instructions call for.

Believe it or not, some of these slave cylinders were supplied in SERVICE as a complete assembly with the master cylinder and interconnecting line and were PRE-FILLED and PRE-BLED.

I see no problem, whatsoever, with actually installing the cylinder in the application you suggest with the cylinder rotated 180 degrees from the orientation used in the C4 installations. There's no way that the hydraulic system could "feel the difference". Personally, I would be 100% comfortable with such an installation, too.

[John M.]

Re: c-4 clutch slave cylinder

Our wondrous C4s - not exactly designed for easy maintenance...

[Joe L.]

Re: c-4 clutch slave cylinder

John-----

C4s are the highest parts content Corvettes ever built and, likely, the highest parts content that EVER will be built.

[mike mccagh]

Re: c-4 clutch slave cylinder

thanks, joe. mike

[John H.]

Re: c-4 clutch slave cylinder

Most current products that use a hydraulic clutch arrangement have the components pre-bled, and nothing is done at assembly except to connect them. Some have the clutch master cylinder, line, and slave cylinder received as one pre-bled assembly (like trucks), and others are separate pieces; Tilton makes the hydraulic throwout bearing and slave cylinder for the Viper, and they're received separately (both are pre-bled), with a quick-connect fitting from the master cylinder line to the throwout bearing line at the bellhousing.