Clutch Linkage

I am installing a 304 v8 in a '72 renegade and would like to know which clutch linkage set up is better. The '72s from what I read used the cable and '73 on used the bell crank. The v8 motor I am installing was of the bell crank variety. If I go this route, I will have to drill the frame to mount the pivot bracket. My '72 cross member has the cable bracket on it already. Can I just modify the fork to accept the cable if I go this route? In a perfect world ( one with unlimited jeep dollars) I would go hydraulic but I need to choose the lesser of these two evils. Can I use the cable or should I stick with the bell crank?

 

The bellcrank is simplest, and was Jeep's answer to the balky cable clutch. The main problem with the bellcrank comes from flex between the frame and body. If you stuff one front wheel and leave the other hanging, the clutch won't completly disengage. The cable (or hydraulic) is better in this respect. The factory even had a kit to replace the cable in a '72 with a bellcrank ... many of those conversions were done under warranty.

You might like the cable if you lube it liberally and often. They would freeze up for some reason, making pedal pressure excessive. Some members here have this or a similar cable ('71-ish) and claim it works well.

 

I have the cable on my '70 cj5 and haven't had any problems. I think I would have to cut a slot in the clutch fork to connect the cable to it. Can you think of any downside to this?

 

Might weaken the end of the fork. Hard to say without an original cable-style fork to compare it with (if they are different). Turner's shows only one part number, 72-75, 3217480.