Updated clutch master cylinder - SOR - thoughts?

[spdwaver]

The clutch finally gave out on me. On my way home from work, I was at a stop light; I had the tranny in gear and the clutch pushed in. Suddenly the engine RPMs began to decrease until it began stalling. While it was stalling, I released the clutch slightly then pushed it back in; when I did this, I gained a lot of play in the pedal, until the engine died.

When the engine died, I pushed in the clutch - it went straight to the floor. I then pumped the clutch until I built up enough pressure and started the engine and made it home by pumping the clutch when I needed it.

I checked everything on the outside for the usual suspects: nothing was wet; rubber line is not expanding; there is plenty of fluid in the reservoir. I do believe it is time for a new clutch assembly, unless someone can correct me.

I read that SOR makes a replacement to the old style clutch, and that the old style is no longer available. I looked at SOR's unit, but would like some opinions on the price / reliability / serviceability of the unit they sell. I am willing to entertain any suggestions if SOR's unit is not the right one given any of the above reasons.

Specter Off-Road-Land Cruiser Parts - 018-01-KIT-Clutch Hydraulic Update Kit

Thanks in advance for any insight you may offer.

Sean

 

[65swb45]

A. If it's your daily driver, a rebuild kit will prolly suffice.

B. If you need a stock early [pre-70] clutch master, I still have 2 in stock for sale.

C. There is nothing wrong with SOR's conversion kit if you want to replace the entire assembly.

Best

Mark A.

 

[e rock]

Mark nailed it (as usual).

I'll just add that I went the cheap route and used the CCOT "update kit" after I got tired of having rebuild kits last 6-12 months on both the master and slave. It was on sale at the time (part of the determining factor for me), and I have been truly pleased with it. Installation was cake, and I've enjoyed 3+ years of not giving it a second thought thus far.

 

[spdwaver]

Mark,

It is my daily driver and I will need to get it up and running by this weekend - which is my first dilemma, since SOR is not even open on Saturday. I do not necessarily need to get a whole new assembly, but I thought "while I am here..." I might as well replace the whole thing. I have no problems rebuilding mine, but where do I get the parts in a pinch?

The ones you have for sale - are they in better working condition than mine (I suppose anything that works will suffice)?

Are you available on Saturday? I am about a 25-minute drive from you, but it appears as though I will be carpooling tomorrow, so it will have to be Saturday.

Could you please PM me on a price on yours?

Thanks,

Sean

 

[spdwaver]

Eric,

Thanks for your input. Going the "cheap route" worked alright for you? In other words, getting the "update kit" is considered going the cheap route? I am all for that, so long as it is the best way to go. I do not want a repeat of today (I did not mention that I had my 1-1/2 year-old with me when it happened - she makes it a point to go for a ride once a day )

I have no problems replacing the entire assembly, so I will do that eventually, but for now I just need to get up-and-running.

Thanks

 

[captain_morgan]

I''ve got the clutch kit from CCOT, and it's been working for 5 years.

 

[e rock]

Eric,

Thanks for your input. Going the "cheap route" worked alright for you? In other words, getting the "update kit" is considered going the cheap route? I am all for that, so long as it is the best way to go. I do not want a repeat of today (I did not mention that I had my 1-1/2 year-old with me when it happened - she makes it a point to go for a ride once a day )

I have no problems replacing the entire assembly, so I will do that eventually, but for now I just need to get up-and-running.

Thanks

It's not exactly cheap compared to $12 rebuild kits, but it was cheaper than the $170 SOR wants for a similar setup. I just noticed that the CCOT kit is on sale right now for $140. I thought it was even a little lower when I got mine, but I can't say for sure.


I had gone through the failing master and the failing slave a couple times already and had gotten pretty good at getting home with no clutch at all, but it was getting to be less fun each time. I know the slave wasn't original, but I'm pretty sure the master was, so I figure it did it's 40 years of duty. CCOT isn't where I generally go for top-quality parts so I was hesitant, but in retrospect I have nothing but good to say about this kit.

Slave - Master Conv Kit

 

[spdwaver]

"I just noticed that the CCOT kit is on sale right now for $140. I thought it was even a little lower when I got mine, but I can't say for sure."

I just took a look at that one after you mentioned it. Where does SOR get theirs if CCOT "invented" it? Quote from their website: "...invented and available only at CCOT."
Having said that, where is SOR getting theirs? I am only curious and the answer is not necessarily mission-critical, but begs the question nevertheless. I am going to ultimately get the update kit, but I am willing to wait on the best one.

Overall, it seems as though getting the update is the way to go - it may have to be SOR's kit since they are local to me. If I have to spend the extra $30-$40, I sure hope SOR's is better.