2008 Mustang GT TOB issues

[Joeslow13]

I recently bought a McLeod TOB, clutch and flywheel for my TR-3650. It lasted 50 miles and the TOB overextended and drained the brake reservoir all over the ground. I’ve spent some time reading through these discussions and I keep seeing mixed opinions on what measurements I actually need when I go to shim the TOB this time. I bought a new ford OEM TOB, and I know I’ll have to shim it but Im wondering what measurements should I look for?? McLeod tells me the preload should be .250-.500 and when I set the trans in the car the TOB should compress .400. Everywhere I’ve read in this forum, people say it needs to be closer to 1.. I’m probably just confused so can someone help me figure out what I need to look for. Thank you.

 

[Joeslow13]

Also, when my TOB failed, all of my brake fluid from brake reservoir drained on the ground. Do I have to bleed brakes now too?

 

[Midlife Crises]

My experience is if you have 1/2” preload or more you should be fine. Less than that you risk the TOB coming apart.
Note: I measured a new McLeod TOB and a new Ford TOB and found them to be exactly the some length.

 

[Joeslow13]

Okay thanks! Do you know if I will have to bleed my brakes now because all the fluid drained out of TOB? Or will I just need to bleed TOB?

 

[Midlife Crises]

Okay thanks! Do you know if I will have to bleed my brakes now because all the fluid drained out of TOB? Or will I just need to bleed TOB?

I believe the brake side of the reservoir is a little bit lower than the clutch side so if the reservoir is not completely empty you may be OK.

 

[Dino Dino Bambino]

Also, when my TOB failed, all of my brake fluid from brake reservoir drained on the ground. Do I have to bleed brakes now too?

You shouldn't need to. The combined fluid reservoir has separate compartments for the clutch and brake hydraulic systems so if one system develops a leak, the other remains unaffected.

 

[Joeslow13]

My experience is if you have 1/2” preload or more you should be fine. Less than that you risk the TOB coming apart.
Note: I measured a new McLeod TOB and a new Ford TOB and found them to be exactly the some length.

I only have .6” of preload. With an 1/8 inch spacer. Is that okay

 

[jbpellegrino]

I put a 3/8 shim behind my OEM style Exedy TOB. I ended up with 0.8275” preload. My clutch engagement started at the very bottom of the pedal travel but has moved up significantly as the new clutch wears in. I’ve got 100 miles on the whole motor and new clutch setup, no complaints (Barton short throw is a little rough to get used to, but that’s a different subject…).

Most people say over a half inch preload is acceptable. I think in another post Department of Boost said up to a quarter inch of variance from the desirable 1” of preload is acceptable.

I got showered in brake fluid when I tried to get the clutch line connected to the TOB the first time I tried to put the power train back in - Don’t be like me… If you add a shim, make sure your clutch line (and the metal clip) fit before you bolt the engine to the trans.