Clutch Slave heat shield??

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Aug 20, 2006 | 09:58 PM

jimkari

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Apr 2005

Posts: 484

Likes: 5

From: Madison Wisconsin

Clutch Slave heat shield??

I have a '93 coupe with the stock exhaust and 49K miles. I've owned it for one year and ever since I bought it I've been fighting a stiff clutch pedal. I've changed every single possible part in the clutch and the hydraulics at least once with two exceptions. I'm back to my old master because it provides better pedal throw and thus better clutch release and I have not changed the throw-out bearing guide tube on the transmission since it was very smooth and the throw out slid on it well.

If the car sits over the weekend the pedal is much easier to press. As I drive the car it stiffens up. I am pulling out my hair on this one. Is there supposed to be a heat shield around the slave. There is one on the CAT. My Helms manual does not show one. However if it's missing I thought that might be an explanation for the stiff pedal.

I'm on my third slave. I switched to the Tru-torque cast unit since my DOM seal was in wrong. I've changed the pedal bushing, the braided line, the clutch, fork, pivot ball, throw-out. I've tried the GM clutch fluid and am now on the Valvoline Syn because of the higher boiling point.

With all the work my stifting has improved. However since this is my first ZF-6, I just don't know if this is normal. Please share any thoughts!!

Thanks,

Jim

Aug 20, 2006 | 11:50 PM

johnnyevans

Drifting

Joined: Mar 2002

Posts: 1,251

Likes: 2

From: Thomson Georgia

I believe the heat shield is a must! When I did my last conversion, I didn't have one. The clutch was good 1st off, but got higher and tighter warmed up. I made a shield about 8" long that wrapped around the header and my problems went away. It made a real difference for me.

You can slot a piece of 20 gage aluminum to fit around the heat shield in the tunnel, then put a half arch in it to go around the header or exhaust, try to avoid letting it touch, if you can.
johnny

Aug 21, 2006 | 11:16 PM

jimkari

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Apr 2005

Posts: 484

Likes: 5

From: Madison Wisconsin

Johnny thanks for the tip. I may just give it a try. I can't find if it came with a heat shield from the factory. Either way it's probably not a bad idea to block the heat.

Can anyone say for sure? Was there a heat shield from the factory on the slave or just on the CATS?

Thanks,

Jim

Aug 21, 2006 | 11:29 PM

johnnyevans

Drifting

Joined: Mar 2002

Posts: 1,251

Likes: 2

From: Thomson Georgia

Yes, there was s shield on the slave, it bolted to the 2 bolts holding the slave.
johnny

Aug 21, 2006 | 11:35 PM

jimkari

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Apr 2005

Posts: 484

Likes: 5

From: Madison Wisconsin

Very interesting. I wonder if that is the major cause of my problems.

Thanks for the quick response Johnny!!

Jim

Aug 21, 2006 | 11:43 PM

Curveit

Drifting

Joined: Feb 2003

Posts: 1,978

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From: San Antonio Texas

My '86 has one; fastened to the lower bolt, and the nose of the slave.

Aug 22, 2006 | 06:54 AM

RichS

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 1999

Posts: 7,339

Likes: 137

From: WilkesBarre PA

My 96 does not have one. I wrapped it with heat raidient tape to prevent heat soak. I used to have problems when sitting in long traffic lines, but have had no more issues.