Has anyone been thru the process of up-grading from hydraulic slave set-up on a 444,5,or 544 to the 140 cable T/Out set-up? I have a 59 445 w/ stock configuration.
I also have a '73 B20 w/ OD attached. Will be yanking B18/m40 to exchange drivetrain, which has the cable T/O bell housing. I liked the 140 setup, both drivability and cable change-out. Having driven every model since the 60's, losing a slave cylinder, driving in one gear and subsequent repairs were not my fondest memories as most were daily drivers in the day, and now not so much usage to prevent the slave replacement occasionally as needed..
This would be a major project though to require installing the hanging pedals over the "thru floor" style, Master cyl. upgrade too ( major). I have the 140 for pedal box. The throw-out actuator cable itself would have a strict length parameter too, w/ minor adjustment only-once installed.

I am throwing this out there to see if anyone has tackled this particular item as an upgrade. I know there have been mentioned safety upgrades to our early models--like dual cylinder masters mounted below, and of course disc brake conversions have been around for a while. There may even be a heavy duty clutch slave cyl. kit, but the bore size limits much of that?

Regards, Kayo in Sunny Florida...'59 445, 544 parts cars,780,760V8

+1 what Eric said. Also when all is said and done, hydraulic clutch is the upgrade....cable clutches feel heavier, and the cables do not last as long as a new hydraulic. Also hydraulic is self adjusting ( until the wear is extreme) so clutch works better longer. Yes loss of pressure means a slow drive home, but ive done the same drive.with a broken cable.

I'm not aware of any PV that came with a hydraulic clutch linkage as original.

??

Cameron
Portland

I just use the stock B18 mechanical linkage When replacing a B16 with either a B18 or B20. All of the linkage parts are available new including the outer bushing bracket that will need to welded in the correct position on the left frame rail.

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Eric
Hi Performance Automotive Service (formerly OVO or Old Volvos Only)
Torrance, CA 90502

Furthermore, at least with B18/20 cars, a 122 throw-out fork will work... it's a bit stronger than those in a 544, one of which broke on me.
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-Matt I ♥ my ♂

What the OP might not know is that all of the B18 and B20 M40/M41 bellhousings are interchangeable.

So if he uses a B18 bellhousing from any 122/1800/544/P210, that he can use the stock B18 544 clutch linkage.
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Eric
Hi Performance Automotive Service (formerly OVO or Old Volvos Only)
Torrance, CA 90502
hiperformanceautoservice.com or oldvolvosonly.com

hi sages - this is an excellent question which could be applied to other makes and models particularly some of the later model fwd manual shift cars which came with the hydraulic slave cylinder in the bell housing or transaxle clutch cover. these things do not last as long as the cable system or lever system. some of the hydraulic systems use an external hydraulic slave cylinder and a regular fork like the honda and camry. at least that slave cylinder was easy to replace. too bad that retro fit systems werent generally available for this conversion. these hydraulic systems with the internal slave are nightmares . a real step backwards. excuse my terrible attitude these things are in the same category with interference engines with rubber timing belts. i may be the donald of auto critiques. regards oldduke

I agree that a none accessible slave cylinder is a horrible idea. I have a vw with 460,000kms on the original slave (it is mounted externally) so I like hydraulic clutch over cable.

hi patrick- an external slave like you have would be fine and easy to replace. how would you like to have you brake master cylinder located inside the firewall inside the dash deep where the blower motor is located in 240s? regards oldduke

Old Duke, I agree that putting a slave cylinder inside the bell housing where the tranny has to be pulled is really a bad idea. I can see how someone thought" if I remove moving parts this system will last longer, ". As I have anecdotal experience of a slave lasting 20 yrs and 460,000 kms I can kind of see how they might make that mistake. Not something I want to deal with though, hard to find new cars with manual transmissions these days in NA. I guess that is why I'm driving a 20 yr old work van. Re

Can a bell housing from a 122/1800 with hydraulics work with the direct linkage in a 544? I honestly don't know.. that's why when I did it, I put a 122 release fork in the 544 bell housing.. slapped it together and off and running.
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-Matt I ♥ my ♂

Yep. Perfectly.

Cameron
Portland