Thread: Series III clutch hydraulics

Welcome to the forum John.

Hopefully another member here - Mick88 - reads this. He's done some work on one of his Series to lighten the clutch pedal pressure - I think by doing exactly what you have suggested, but he'll be able to elaborate more.

Not a difficult or expensive exercise so maybe worth trying regardless?

You could add a vacuum booster to the clutch line.
More expensive and you'd have to find room to house the booster.
Here's one for the Defender Redbooster I'm sure a wreckers might provide something suitable.


Colin

Originally Posted by johnfoster

Greetings Group:
The Series III clutch master and slave cylinders are respectively 3/4" and 7/8" bore. I was wondering if I could increase the size of the slave to 1" (using a cylinder meant for the 109" V8, I think). this would result in a lighter pedal effort at the expense of increased pedal travel, in fact maybe so much that the pedal may reach the firewall before the clutch is fully released.
Has any group member actually tried this? If so does it work and give a worthwhile reduction in pedal effort?
Regards: John Foster.

G'day John,
one of my vehicles has a Nissan 5 speed gearbox and a series 3 9.5" clutch assembly (with Nissan 240mm clutch plate). The Nissan slave cylinder for it was a 3/4" bore, so 3/4" to 3/4" or basically a hydraulic ratio of 1:1. It wasn't ideal, not a soft smooth clutch like my other series 3 which has the identical clutch kit, both purchased from ACS ( in Adelaide) at the same time. The take-up was quick and also harsh, with the 1:1 ratio. Anyway with a bit of home work I found a 7/8" bore Nissan slave cylinder and it totally changed the feel and action of the clutch to what it should be.



If your clutch is heavy maybe there is an issue with it, as series 3 clutches are usually pretty good.
If you need a new clutch I recommend the ACS kit, they are very good.
Cheers, Mick.

Hi Mick, the clutch on my s3 with nissan box and 186 is light as a feather. Can push it down with one finger. Like to get the s2a like that, or even the perentie...lol

Originally Posted by 67hardtop

Hi Mick, the clutch on my s3 with nissan box and 186 is light as a feather. Can push it down with one finger. Like to get the s2a like that, or even the perentie...lol

Rod,
Is the clutch pedal box on the Perentie the same as a Defender ?
Defender Clutch Pedal Spring Assist Kit - LOF Clutches

Colin

Originally Posted by gromit

Rod,
Is the clutch pedal box on the Perentie the same as a Defender ?
Defender Clutch Pedal Spring Assist Kit - LOF Clutches

Colin

I really dont know Colin. I know the clutch pedal box on my 1989 perentie is the same as my s3 but the pedal pad is different. The s2 and s3 had a raised section on the right side of the pedal pad and my perentie doesnt have that raised section, just a rubber pad on top. Not much help im afraid.

Cheers Rod

Originally Posted by 67hardtop

Hi Mick, the clutch on my s3 with nissan box and 186 is light as a feather. Can push it down with one finger. Like to get the s2a like that, or even the perentie...lol

Any idea what slave cylinder you have?
Mine had the standard Nissan slave which is 3/4", whereas series Land Rovers have a 7/8"
I was going to modify one to do the job, but then with some research I found the slave for the Nissan Skyline and VL Commodore was identical, but with a 7/8" bore.

Cheers, Mick.

Just the standard nissan one mick. Trailer brake type master cyl. Borg n beck pressure plate nissan type clutch plate. Its the lightest clutch ive ever felt on a land rover. No slip at full noise in low range in deep sand. Brilliant