[Tom Cimino]

I had a similar problem with the same setup, except with a 302/stock cast bellhousing. I went with a diaphram pressure plate and removed the "big bearing" adapter from the throwout bearing. You shouldn't need it with the 1 1/16" input toploader. By removing the adapter, you will gain .090". By doing these two things I gained enough clearance for it to work.

By the way, that's a neat tool you have for measuring. I've never seen that before.

I'm back again.

I was just thinking and realized that with my big block upgrade (Still in progress) the Tilton slave cylinder would not work, even with a diaphram pressure plate. I have a Tremec with the short input shaft. My solution was to re-install the longer shaft and go with a Quick time bell. That gives me another 5/8".