Clutch / Torque Converter: SBC hydraulic throwout bearing ideas?

[junior]

In the process of converting my sbc powered 54 coupe to a t5 trans, I was thinking how much easier/cleaner it would be to install a hydraulic throwout bearing as opposed to using a slave cylinder that bolts to the engine side of the bellhousing. I know that MacLeod Clutches makes such a bearing, but I just found out the price is $446 for the bearing alone...yikes! Does anyone know of a factory style of hydraulic throwout bearing that would work with this combo that would be significantly cheaper? Is anyone running a SBC/T5 combo with slave cylinder? How is the clearance in a Stude c/k with stock steering box/pitman arm? Any photos? I really don't want to spend that much money on a bearing. Oh, ya forgot to say the trans/bellhousing is out of an '84 third gen. camaro/firebird, so the bell housing is not out of an 80's chevy truck that some members have used. Thanks for any info. Junior

[Alan]

You can use one of Speedways throwout bearings ( 910-25612 ) for $149

[Don Jeffers]

What is the advantage of an '80s Chevy truck bellhousing? From what truck and with what engine?

Does it take the tilt of of the T5 as compared to a Camaro bellhousing?

thanks,

[Alan]

The 80's S 10 truck used a straight up trans. rather than the tilted to 15% like pass. cars. They also have a hydraulic slave cylinder that mounts to the side of the housing. Nice set up. Have one in an MGC with a Chev V6. Also beware that the S 10 used a longer pilot and you have to use the truck trans with the truck bell housing.

[junior]

Thanks Alan, I'll look into this. Also, didn't know about the s10 bell housings...what I've read though, mid 80's full-size Chevy pick-ups with standard trans and small block enginge had bell housings that also had tabs for hydraulic slave cylinders and mounted the transmissions at the 12:00 position. At first I didn't care for the 3rd gen 'clocked' bell housings, but as it turns out, in my particular situation, I have to use it because the shifter rail housing sits about 1/8" from the transmission tunnel right now to maintain the centerline of the crankshaft at a 4 degree angle to the horizon. If the tranmission was to remain upright, I could not maintain the crankshaft angle without making modifications to the tunnel. I really hope you've found the solution to my problem. Thanks so much. Junior.

[junior]

Alan, had a look at the Speedway throwout bearing you referred to. On paper, it looks like it will do the trick. Have you any first-hand experience with this? Did you use it in the MG? On the Speedway website, one reference was to use a 1" bore master cylinder, and in the instructions it said to use a 3/4" bore master cylinder. Any thoughts anyone??? Thanks, Junior.