engine and drivetrain Clutch Master Cylinder Leak

[Parksis_52]

I have a '69 02, and over the summer began to notice some issues while shifting, to the point where specific gears wouldn't even engage. I ended up swapping the clutch slave and master cylinders. As a side note, for anyone with only marginal mechanical experience, this is a pretty straight forward DIY repair/replacement that you could easily tackle in relatively short order. While I had the cylinders out I decided to replace the rest of the components like the hose, and hard line that runs from the reservoir to the master cylinder. It's a reservoir independent from the brake master reservoir. The car shifts well now, however I've noticed a substantial leak where the hard line meets the master cylinder grommet. I have the standard FTE clutch master cylinder, and used 1/4' tubing to form the line. Has anyone else had any experience with ensuring a better seal? I haven't flared the end at all, and want to avoid too much trial and error for fear of ruining the grommet all together. Any suggestions on how to get a better seal would be much appreciated, thanks.

[TobyB]

You aren't going to like my suggestion:

 

reinstall the original clutch hard line.

 

It's bigger than 1/4", and that flare, while not pretty, does seal it up pretty effectively.

 

You could try a bubble flare on your line- that would probably be easier on the grommet.

 

But those suckers are a lot tougher than I ever thought they'd be...

 

t

[M3M3]

Agree. The line into the grommet is a TIGHT fit. If you have a leak there the line may be the wrong size. And it should be flared.

Edited August 26, 2015 by mlytle

[Mike Self]

Sounds like you have an early (pre 1 Jan '69 build date) '69 with the separate clutch M/C reservoir.  That means that you also have the "horseshoe" clutch pedal linkage, used up to VIN 1665200.  

 

Long as you have things apart, examine that horseshoe link carefully;  the end that attaches to a peg on the clutch pedal wears, and wears the peg.  When the horseshoe wears through, the clutch won't function.  If the peg on the pedal is worn, you'll either have to make a sleeve for it, or mig weld it up and file it down to the proper diameter (ask me how I know this!)

 

You also have an adjustable clutch linkage--the adjustment is at the slave cylinder pushrod.  Make sure you adjust it periodically to the proper clearance.  Those early pressure plates are hard to find; so are the throwout bearings.

 

cheers from a fellow '69 owner

 

mike