CSX4000 questions!

[Gary Morris]

Starting to gather up parts for the engine and transmission install as soon as the car gets here...hopefully soon. I have the engine and transmission now but have not ordered the bell housing, clutch, pressure plate or throwout bearing yet. I would like to hear some suggestions on what to get. Also does anyone have a hydraulic throwout bearing and how do you like it. The engine is a 482 cu.in. Shelby block making 640hp.
I also received an e-mail asking me if I knew that the bellhousing had to be modified to fit the chassis. Is this right? If so why? Everytime I turn around there seems to be something else I wasn't counting on. Any help or suggestions appreciated.

Gary

[csx700?]

" Everytime I turn around there seems to be something else I wasn't counting on"...................you too!?

[Turk]

Gary,
Shelby publishes a two page list they refer to as the "Runner Kit" or something like that. It has a complete list of every nut and bolt you are going to need and some major compnents as well.
See if you can get Bob Marsh to email you one of those, it will make gathering of all the necessary items that much easier.

If unable to get one let me know I'll see if I can send you my copy.

TURK

[Cracker]

Gary,

Our local Kirkham owner, TC, had to modify the clutch fork to fit the chassis which is very similiar to your Shelby - it wasn't fun! I have the updated McLeod throwout bearing that no longer uses the banjo fittings which were at the heart of most failures of old. In speaking with Redd McLeod 5 weeks ago he claims close to 1000 units without leaks!!! Although a clutch stop is recommended due to the design it is not possible to over extend the piston like some other manufactures and blow an o-ring. It's a little pricey but I'm telling you what, it is one sweet mechanism, self adjusting, quiet, SWEET! Buy their new system - you won't be dissapointed!

[Sal Gerace]

Originally posted by Turk


Gary,
Shelby publishes a two page list they refer to as the "Runner Kit" or something like that. It has a complete list of every nut and bolt you are going to need and some major compnents as well.
See if you can get Bob Marsh to email you one of those, it will make gathering of all the necessary items that much easier.

If unable to get one let me know I'll see if I can send you my copy.

TURK

Thanks Turk I am going to email Bob also! I had no idea that they had this list, Sal.

[DC COBRA]

Gary
Kieth Craft Motorsports put a MCLEOD hydraulic throw out bearing assembly in my car and I love It, works flawlessly.

DON

[RedCSX1]

Hey Gary,

You would think they would include that running list on the Shelby owners forum. Naw, that would be much too easy and customer friendly.

take care,
Morgan

[misfit41]

I have the list if any one would like a fax,,email me at Misfit41@aol.com,,since i dont hang out here much recently,,Tim

[Specialk]

I would say the most common bellhousing is the Lakewood unit. It does need to me trimmed when using in any MkIII style chassis. Below the starter, it needs a crecent cut to clear the 4" tube. On the driver side, a small crecent cut will give more clearance, but it is not necessary due to the engine being offset to the passenger side.

Shelby sells an external slave cylinder that works fine. I would use that. If it was to ever fail, it can be easily removed and serviced. If you use an internal slave, then the trans has to come out for service.

None of this is too tough, and there are several people on the board who can help if you get into a jam.

Originally posted by Gary Morris


Starting to gather up parts for the engine and transmission install as soon as the car gets here...hopefully soon. I have the engine and transmission now but have not ordered the bell housing, clutch, pressure plate or throwout bearing yet. I would like to hear some suggestions on what to get. Also does anyone have a hydraulic throwout bearing and how do you like it. The engine is a 482 cu.in. Shelby block making 640hp.
I also received an e-mail asking me if I knew that the bellhousing had to be modified to fit the chassis. Is this right? If so why? Everytime I turn around there seems to be something else I wasn't counting on. Any help or suggestions appreciated.

Gary

[David Kirkham]

Gary,

The McLeod hydraulic throw out bearing works really nice. We do not use the slave cylinder and clutch fork as IT DOES NOT FIT AND SUCKS TO MAKE WORK RIGHT. You have to cut up the bell housing and it isn't pretty.

The bell housing will have to be cut to fit into an original frame if you use a Lakewood. I would be happy to send you templates of what we use to make them fit if you would like.

I have warned several customers against using the clutch fork set up and I don't know any who are happy with it. I don't know of any customers who are unhappy with the McLeod unit. We have had one in our original car for almost 10 year now.

This McLeod combination works.
If you use a flywheel 563210
Throw out bearing 1305 with a 2.9 distance
pressure plate 360821M
clutch 260863

(These part numbers are for a big input splined toploader and a 427 FE--anything else and you would have to call them.)

McLeod is the greatest. McLeod's phone number 714.630.2764

David

[David Kirkham]

I just noticed Kris just posted from Shelby, (it wasn't up when I posted so we must have hit send at the same time. I did not know Shelby sold those parts. I am sure they have better parts than what I have used in the past. (I have never used or seen the Shelby parts but I am sure they must be of much better quality). I would certainly ask about cutting the bell housing. No slight intended to Shelby here.

We have never had an internal unit fail. Even the Viper comes with an internal throw out bearing.

David

[Excaliber]

I used to work on trucks which often had the internal throw out bearing. Pretty reliable but if the DID go out what a major pain in the butt. I hate them. I'm VERY glad my ERA has an external slave, lakewood and throw out arm.

Just one mans opinion..........

[PatBuckley]

Ernie-

On my ERA I used the external slave and wouild do it again...on the Kirkham I tried to but there is no space for it so I am using a McLeod.

It helps that they changed the fitting style IMO - and I hope it stays reliable.

Pat

[Specialk]

I first read what David replied and thought "Man, he's weighing in pretty heavy on this!"

[Bud Man]

Gary:

Ditto to what David sez regarding the Mcleod hydraulic set up. I have used one in #142 for almost two years, and have no complaints. They have also made some improvements in the newer series, eliminating the banjo fittings, so so much the better.

The key is proper set-up. I found that if you explained to McLeod what you were running, they would build the unit to the proper specs. Mine happens to be 3". If you go with one, you will love the clutch feel....just remember to install a pedal stop.

Bud

[David Kirkham]

Kris,

I certainly did not mean that toward the Shelby parts.

Bud,

I sure do like the feel of the hydraulic t/o clutch. I have not been happy with the clutch fork ones, (again, I have not tried the Shelby set up yet, but I do look forward to trying it some day.)

We have not used a pedal stop, althought it is quite simple to do. We usually just put an aluminum tube over the master cylinder push rod and cut to the appropriate length. We haven't used one because we use a 0.700 master cylinder and it doesn't have too much volume. I have seen some 0.750 and some 0.875 master cylinders and I wonder how they push in the clutch. We even once put in a 0.625 and I couldn't believe how nice the clutch felt. Of course, the clutch was noticeable closer to the floor, but I really didn't mind too much.

David

[Specialk]

Just to clarify to those who emailed me privately,

The Shelby external slave cylinder does work and it is very simple to setup. The bellhousing does not need to be cut for fork clearance. The pushrod from the slave still allows the fork to travel in the same arc as Ford intended. It sounds like whoever sold David the parts he used, sent him some goofball pieces. MANY,MANY Shelbys have been built and successfully use the external unit, including the 2000 and 3000 series cars from the 60's.

I know of one guy who had problems with his internal bearing:

http://www.cobralads.com/butcher37.html

[ST]

Well over 5000 miles with a Shelby external slave cylinder and zero problems.
It takes a little more effort to depress the pedal but no complaints thus far.

[RedCSX1]

David,

Could you please send me the template you speak of to trim the bellhousing. I will send you an e-mail with my address.

I take credit for telling Gary that I had heard that the bell housing would have to be modified. This information came from several owners and the guys at finishline in Vegas.

Since I was expecting to Cobra to arrive in December (sounds funny now) I had gone ahead and purchased a trans from David Kee long with the Lakewood Bellhousing and McLeod clutch, pressure plate and flywheel. I will have to check all my part numbers tomorrow.

Kris, as always thanks for the information, I will contact you about the slave cylinder although I have already purchased one. I may sell it and buy the one that you say will work properly.

thanks,
Morgan

[Brent Mills]

David, I could use that template too.