Hydraulic clutch 62 GMC burb 4x4
 

Hello all. First post here. Didn't see an introduction page. I'm from Rapid city South Dakota and am the proud owner of a 62 GMC suburban 4x4. It has a hydraulic clutch and in the box of parts that came with it is what appears to be a clutch cable. Which setup do you prefer and why? My slave cylinder is seized so before I buy a new hydraulic setup, I would like to know the pros and cons. I have had several trucks in the 60-66 era but never a fluid clutch. Thank you.

Re: Hydraulic clutch 62 GMC burb 4x4
 

:welcome: Semocoachworks!

I am sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but hydraulic was the only option I am aware of for 1962. The clutch operates off of the brake master cylinder which, if empty, will cause the clutch to fail.

Also, a 1962 4x4 Suburban is a treasure in almost any condition. Congratulations on ownership of such a find.

Have a great evening,

-Jeannie

6066 GMC Club

Re: Hydraulic clutch 62 GMC burb 4x4
 

Don't know of any "cables". There is a tubing/hose to the slave. GM has gone back and forth over the years. The hydraulic ("fluid") clutch is very nice, used on many vehicles today. The "dual" master is available, the slave is available, both at reasonable prices. I have a good choice for a flex metal hose to slave instead of expensive "original". Your decision will also be based on which side your fork is on and your clutch pedal design. I'm pretty sure your original truck was Hydraulic as Jeannie says. I'm guessing 60-66 305's used same bell housing, same pedal assy.

Re: Hydraulic clutch 62 GMC burb 4x4
 

Greetings fellow club members!

1962 is the only year that GMC used a hydraulic clutch. When I converted my '63 Chevy 30 Series from inline 292 to the GMC 305 V-6, I had to make some changes to my Chevy since the 305 came from a '62 GMC. I had to cut another hole (used a hole saw) in the firewall to accomodate the '62 GMC master cylinder, and I had to change the clutch pedal and linkage under the dash for that master cylinder. Viewing the truck from underneath, the clutch slave cylinder and release fork arm are on the passenger side (starter side of engine) of the truck. Trucks equipped with mechanical clutch linkage and bell cranks will have the release fork arm on the driver's (left side) of the vehicle. Hydraulic Clutch bell housings and mechanical clutch bell housings cannot be interchanged because the release fork arms will be on opposite sides of the truck as I have explained. I hope you find this information useful.

Re: Hydraulic clutch 62 GMC burb 4x4
 

Thank you for all the replies. The suburban does have a dual master cylinder and the slave is on the passenger side. There aren't any leaks but the boot to keep debris out of the slave cylinder was gone so slave is full of rust and debris. I just ordered a new one. The sheathed cable I found is very heavy duty. Maybe the previous owner got it with intentions of trying to use it? Brakes pumped up and hold good and reservoir was not empty so I believe master is OK.

Re: Hydraulic clutch 62 GMC burb 4x4
 

"1962 is the only year that GMC used a hydraulic clutch."

George, are you sure about that?

Re: Hydraulic clutch 62 GMC burb 4x4
 

Greetings AZKen!

No, I'm not 100% absolutely sure about that. 1962 is the only year that I'm aware of that used a hydraulic clutch. I do know that after '62 GMC went to mechanically operated clutches. They may have used the hydraulic version earlier than '62, but I am unaware of it. Anybody have an owners manual prior to '62, or a service manual that would indicate whether '62 was the only year the hydraulic clutch was used??

Re: Hydraulic clutch 62 GMC burb 4x4
 

Guess it began in 1960 for the new series; my 61 has the hydraulic clutch.

Re: Hydraulic clutch 62 GMC burb 4x4
 

My 64 GMC 1500 with a 305E has a mechanical clutch, but GMC didn't forget about the hydraulic version because I also have a 66 GMC HM5500 (2 ton) with a 351C that has a tandem master cylinder with hydraulic clutch that I have yet to get adjusted right.

JRMunn

Re: Hydraulic clutch 62 GMC burb 4x4
 

I got my slave cylinder and installed it today. Bled it and it works great. I got lucky and the adjustment was right at 5/32 at the clutch arm which is correct if what I read is right.

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Re: Hydraulic clutch 62 GMC burb 4x4
 

My adjustment problem is probably in the clutch assembly that looks like it was rebuilt by the previous owner (exterior is too clean for a 66). The clutch doesn't release until the pedal is nearly to the floor with the adjuster maxed out. More on topic, I had to replace the clutch slave cylinder and had trouble bleeding the new one until I discovered that air was leaking past the bleeder threads. Now the truck is again just sitting until I have time to install a rebuilt hydrovac brake booster.

JRMunn

Re: Hydraulic clutch 62 GMC burb 4x4
 

Does your clutch arm have 2 places that the rod from the slave can sit in ?

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Re: Hydraulic clutch 62 GMC burb 4x4
 

1960 through 1963 GMC used hydraulic clutch.
They went to mechanical in 1964 to 1966 (and beyond)

Master cylinder, slave, and bell housing are all the same all those years. Bell housing changes when it went mechanical in 1964. Hydraulic slave/fork on the passenger side, mechanical is on driver's side.
*Note* auto parts stores will try to sell the Chevrolet single cylinder so I -assume- that 1963 Chevrolet's were mechanical. There were a few differences between Chevrolet and GMC for these years.

At least for 1000, 1500, and 2500 series trucks.

At one time I had one of every year. And variety through those three series.

Re: Hydraulic clutch 62 GMC burb 4x4
 

Does your clutch arm have 2 places that the rod from the slave can sit in ?

Not that I recall from my last time under it. And the clutch fork is on the driver's side. Medium duty trucks are different than the pickups, so this isn't surprising - just frustrating. My point was only that GMC did not abandon hydraulic clutches when they stopped appearing in pickups.

JRMunn

Re: Hydraulic clutch 62 GMC burb 4x4
 

I see. The worst clutch job I ever did was a 98 Ford ranger. Never again! The slave sits at an angle where the bleeder is lower than the fluid reservoir. Had to raise it with a big Jack to bleed it. Hope you get yours figured out.