Novak Hydraulic Clutch Conversion Woes

Hi All,

Looking for a bit on input from those of you that may have used the hydraulic clutch conversion kit from Novak. I have been running into issue after issue with this install and can't seem to find solutions when seeking help from Novak customer service. First issue was loose retainer spring on the supplied " clutch fork causing the clutch to pull away from the pivot ball which would've eliminated the clearance between the release bearing and the diaphragm spring on the clutch. Tracking down a replacement OEM arm for a 90s chevy truck solved that issue. Now the bracket that Novak sent us twice doesn't match up to the bellhousing(68' BOP on a Dauntless/SM420 combo). The bracket seems to not stand off the bellhousing/block far enough to mount while the slave cylinder is installed, bracket is also being held appx .250" off the bellhousing by the alignment pin boss. Novak customer support seems to be at a loss for what is causing this solution and thinks our bellhousing is the issue.

If anyone has a photo of their Novak clutch set up(or just the slave cylinder mounting bracket) that would help for comparison to see what might be leading to the latest issue.

 

Hey @FinoCJ,
They do make a few versions for different applications. We purchased the one specified for our application, but something isn't quite right

 

The bracket they sent me didn't work with my bell housing either. I had to machine a recess into it to make it work. I recall having to do some things to make it work right that I shouldn't have had to do. I am no longer run-in the Novak set up or that engine, so its sitting on my shelf.

 

I made a custom hydraulic clutch set up. Might give you some ideas. Works well, very happy with it.
http://www.earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?threads/127005/#post-1359335

 

From my tux build, " First, mounted up the Novak slave cylinder with their bellhousing mount. Had to adjust the rod length, for whatever reason, it comes with a short rod. I have seen other discussion on here about that. Other than that small issue, it's a nice product."

 

@PieLut thanks for the link to your build thread. I have spent many hours looking through your thread getting ideas for my own build. My original thought was to use a pull type slave cylinder and fab a bracket off the transmission similar to yours but went with the Novak set up in an attempt to save myself a bit of work.

@timsresort, I also spent many hours keeping tabs on the tux build and drooling over the way it came out. That picture is helpful, looks like the bracket worked for you and the slave cylinder just clears the bell housing. Did you have to space the mount off the bell housing to get it to clear the alignment pin boss?

 

No, I just bolted it up. I think it bolts to bosses that are spaced out enough.