Hydraulic Clutch Setup
 

Putting a TKO600 behind the 455 for my Catalina. I’m using the American Powertrain hydramax clutch set up. The issue is I do not have enough air space between the clutch fingers and TOB. I’m using a lakewood bell with a block plate. Tried two different flywheels and two different pressure plates. Even with .250 spacer between the bell and trans the most I can get is .065 air space. They recommend .150. I know this swap has been done plenty of times so surely someone else has had this problem. What am I doing wrong?

I have the same kit and I dread setting it up. Call them on Monday morning, they can tell you exactly what to do

I have exactly the same components in two of my cars with no issue, you should have plenty of room.

Are you sure the TOB is all the way against the flange on the TKO?

How old is your bellhousing? I have "heard" that the older Lakewoods are not as deep as the newer ones, although I don't know that for fact.

What kind of pressure plate are you using?

-Abone.

I used their kit and I had no issues with space for the throw out bearing. I actually had to use some of the supplied shims to get the bearing face within spec of the pressure plate fingers. One thing that I was confused on was the shims. I was measuring them with my calipers and not getting the correct distance. I call the supplier and he said to install them and then measure your distance, because of the bevel on the washers.
On a side note, you have to get the piston as straight as possible so you don't side load the piston. I don't like the piston they supply from wilwood. I find it rather flimsy. My first one leaked from side loading it. I just checked the site and it looks like they have started to install brackets to keep the piston true when installed so not to side load it. I purchased a different piston and made a bracket to keep the rod straight. No issues so far. It's a great upgrade if you enjoy driving a standard in my opinion.

Charles

Here are some of my measurements to compare to yours:

First, my total bellhousing depth including the block plate to the very outside of the bell where the trans mounts is 6 5/8. If your depth is less, that is most likely your issue.

Distance between bell face and pressure plate fingers:
Measurement A = 2.800

Distance between the bearing face and mounting surface of teh trans: Measurement B = 2.525

Subtract B from A = .275
Subtract .150 air gap = .125
Divide .125 by .090 (GM shim thickness) = 1.388
The 1.388 number means you round down and use only one GM .090 shim.
.125 minus .090 = .035
That means my air gap is .035 larger (.185) than the target of .150.
Gap should not be less than .100 or larger than .200.

Hard to tell the gap or the shims in the picture, but here is what it should look like.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Good luck, -Abone.

Got it right now. I was just mocking up the pressure plate without a clutch disc in place. When the clutch disc is in place it pulls the fingers down. My measurements are very close to yours now. Sometimes you just have to walk away for awhile.

Wow, I didn't even think about that. That is one of those things that seems so obvious when you look back on it, but isn't so easy to figure out at the time.

Glad you got it.

-Abone.