Duratec annular bearing on a zetec/t-9

[RedbeardRacing]

Good afternoon everyone,

 

I spoke with Tom at birkin USA and he has a kit to adapt the newer duratec annular release bearing to the t-9 attached to my zetec. It looks like it should clear the boss in the bell housing for my current external slave and linkage. Just wanted to see if anyone has done this upgrade and what they found out on the way!! TIA

[RedbeardRacing]

Anybody done the annular bearing setup on a zetec bellhousing? Just trying to plan ahead. 

[MV8]

How is this an upgrade? An external is much easier to replace when necessary.

[MV8]

You can use an angular release bearing on the existing fork. There is no need to convert to an internal slave.

[RedbeardRacing]

I currently have an external slave, the bearing that came with the car failed, and I can't find the exact replacement. And the bearing from Birkin doesn't allow proper geometry with my current setup, and frankly I'm tired of all those moving pieces when I can have it all as one unit. Then I can do away with all that linkage. 

[7Westfield]

Whoever designed that original setup certainly knew how air cooled VW"s work   LOL

[RedbeardRacing]

And I don't! Been having one hell of a time figuring what parts are in there. Closest I can get is a UK escort release bearing. 

[MV8]

Yeah, only the vw design was better. Thanks for the pics. I'd go with the hrb too, just be sure not to over extend the slave with the master and lever ratio. That design usually will break the hrb so make sure you are using the correct bore master for this conversion. Shims between the trans and hrb will help set up the released position but do not prevent over extension since the fingers can go overcenter.

[MV8]

You can fit a pedal travel stop if needed.

[MV8]

Also, bench bleed the hrb off the trans. They can be difficult to bleed once installed.