Clutch, Pressure Plate, and Tranny Setup..

[iwantacobra427]

I have a Ford 331 stroker with a McLeod flywheel (part #463100-28) and a Lakewood bell housing (Part #15202). I purchased a TKO 600 so I plan on buying a McLeod GM clutch (1 1/8" X 10 1/2" X 26, Part #260170) and McLeod Ford Pressure Plate (10.5" Diaphragm type, Part #360048). Will these parts work?

It looks like ERA recommends the concentric bearing for a Tremec tranny. Has anyone used the ERA fabricated push type slave cylinder with the TKO 600 instead of the concentric bearing?

[SSSammy]

My setup is FE motor, so none of my part numbers are the same. But I have experimented with both types of slave. I used the ERA master and slave and small spline fork and McLeod T/O bearing on my toploader.

When I changed to the TKO 600 I went with McLeod concentric. Mainly because the new alum block didn't have a through hole for the slave bracket and I didn't feel like drilling and tapping. The TKO with the Ford front end has the same diameter bearing retainer as a toploader, so the same T/O bearing should work. The clutch doesn't care how it gets pressed Easiest thing you can do is call Doug at ERA and run all this by him. He has done it all.

One thing he will tell you is whether or not to use the McLeod 5/8" spacer between the TKO and the Lakewood. If you have the long input TKO, you have to use it, I think. If you have a short input TKO, you don't need it - BUT - your tranny may not line up with the mount holes in the chassis. ERA's design assumption is "long input TKO and spacer." Use the McLeod spacer, not a clone. The Mcleod has clearance for the hydraulic fittings on the slave cylinder.

If you choose the McLeod concentric slave, the ERA/BMW stock master cylinder will have to be upgraded to a Tilton 3/4". The stock one does not provide enough volume for the McLeod slave. This is per McLeod, also. You can get this thing from ERA or Summit/Jegs. You will have to cut the steel line a couple inches above the BMW cylinder. The Tilton uses a short rubber hose as a connection as opposed to plugging the flared steel line into the master cylinder socket.

The Lakewood bellhousing needs to be centered. Buy a cheap dial indicator with magnetic base. Summit has one. The reason you must do this is the crank centerline varies when the main journals are align bored. My FE was off .027". McLeod and Tremec both spec the variaton at .005". Since the adjustible alignment pins only go up to .021" I had to open the holes up and use the weld on collars and the long pins.

Just some lessons learned over the last few months ...

Sam

[iwantacobra427]

I'll give ERA a call this week so I can order those parts. The wiring is pretty much done. I'm looking for the self adhesive weather stripping now.. I don't want to bother with brushing on contact cement. I should get the valve lash set this weekend and flywheel installed.

[SSSammy]

Have a look at Soffseal.com, do a part number search on E707A. Same stuff ERA uses, but with the adhesive. You can also buy the 3M adhesive in a roll at Autozone by itself and use it with the ERA supplied weatherstrip. That's the gray foam tape with the red peel off strip. Lay the tape down, then the gasket.

I used some thicker weatherstrip E1723 on the trunk because it leaked with the ERA material. YMMV

Sam

[iwantacobra427]

Thanks for the tip.. I ordered the thicker weather stripping for the trunk! I spoke with Doug today. He's pretty knowledgeable on what's needed.. He told me all the parts I needed from McLeod so I also ordered them.. Things are moving along!

[DonC]

Between Bob and Doug I don't think there is a question about ERA's that they can't answer with maybe the exception of what color to paint them. Stick with their advice and I don't think you can go wrong.
DonC

[strictlypersonl]

Red.

Gotta be red.

[Dangerous Doug]

How do you tell if you're ordering the long or short input TKO 600?

Ford Racing spec shows TKO-600 size as: 17.50H x 12.75W x 34.25D

Is the 34.25D sufficient to determine long or short input?

No spec's in Summit Racing 5.0L Mustang section.

[SSSammy]

Doug .. you can ask JimiG, but I believe that the short input shaft is a distributor or shop installed option. You have to specify short input when you buy it, else you get the stock configuration.

Sam

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Dangerous Doug

How do you tell if you're ordering the long or short input TKO 600?

Ford Racing spec shows TKO-600 size as: 17.50H x 12.75W x 34.25D.

Doug, keep in mind that if you opt for the short input, and thus dispense with the spacer, you will have issues getting the TKO to line up properly. I think it is easier with the spacer, though some may say it is a bit "less elegant."

[Dangerous Doug]

What's the part number for the McLeod spacer, and what is a good source for this part?

Mustangs Unlimited?
ERA?

DD

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Dangerous Doug

What's the part number for the McLeod spacer, and what is a good source for this part?

Mustangs Unlimited?
ERA?

DD

It's an "off the shelf" item (McLeod #8607). Looks like Summit has it for $226 http://store.summitracing.com/partde...w=32&N=700+115 and you can probably do a little better than that. Here's a couple of shots of mine though to give you an idea.

[Chaplin]

Doug-
I've got a brand new McLeod spacer sitting on my shelf that I have never used. If you're interested, I'd sell it for $150 plus shipping.

Let me know.

[Dangerous Doug]

Revisiting this thread:

Found that if you use the LAK-15202 bellhousing you don't need to use the spacer. It is deeper than the LAK-15200.

On the concentric throwout bearing: I see PatrickT is not using one. What is the reason for using it? This is an additional $400 and I'm trying to keep the cost down. Does the standard throwout bearing work fine? Any issues?

DD