My 83 L69 had the mechanical linkage for the clutch. I just spent a bunch of money overhauling a bunch of crap including changing the clutch. Well after I changed it, it wouldn't go into gear anymore. I found the problem and wish I would have sold this stupid car a long time ago. Where the Z shaft connects to the frame rail the metal on the frame rail is rusted and cracked. Meaning when I push in then clutch pedal the hole assembly pushes into a hole in the fame rail. I figure the only way to fix this is to change to a hydro clutch setup. Can anybody point me in the direction of a good installation thread so this doesn't get screwed up? Thanks in advance.

 

No sweat--when I changed my '82 from automatic to '91 WC T5 I installed hydraulic clutch stuff where there was none at all and I got my advice from guys on this site who had replaced their mechanical setup with hydraulics, saying it's much better.
First, the general advice is that the factory replacement part--which looks cheap--is as good as or better than any aftermarket stuff. It's steel-lined plastic, has no bleeder, comes pre-bled for under $100 for the complete unit and is designed to fit our cars.
Second, you'll need a bellhousing with a slave cylinder mount.
Third, the place on the firewall where you mount the master cylinder is already stamped in the '82-'84 models but it's best to have another car already setup that way for measurements.
Fourth, you'll probably need a set of pedals for the hydraulic clutch--a thirdgen set bolts right in and a fourthgen set fits with simple modifications.
There's a bit more to it--details--but I encourage to you to do it and save your car. It's easier than it looks at first and there's tons of advice and help available here.

 

Oh Lord, you mean I have to change my bellhousing? I just got the tranny back in. The mount doesn't bolt to the bell housing?

 

Please see last post, just trying to get this toward the top,

 

Yup--It means you need another bellhousing--sorry. From what I've read here, guys try to weld up that Z-bar and repair the place on the frame over and over and it just doesn't hold.
You're better off to bite the bullet and go back to the bare back of the engine and start over with the right bellhousing. The slave cylinder mount is a cast loop, integral with the body of the bellhousing--not just a couple of bolt holes--nice and solid, and is part of the permanent fix.
These bellhousings are fairly common though, I believe. I lucked out and got a complete parts car cheap that had everything I needed; but if you look under classifieds here you should find one.
Sorry about the delay in responding--darn job interferes with my lifestyle.

 

Well, that sucks but I appreciate the reply. Looks like it will sit longer.

 

Well, if it can sit that might work in your favor. When you desperately need these parts, as you know, you can't find them--then you jump at the first available, pay any price.
If you can wait a bit, the parts seem to come to you.
Actually, if you have a couple of months or longer, you might want to consider a later model WC T5 with a good aftermarket shifter. That's a healthy upgrade for not too much money. Eyeballing the project, too, with the pedal set and hydraulics there to look at would be good.
If you don't find a parts car or another car with the hydraulic setup to copy from, I'll send you a set of fotos and a template of the firewall of the car I took my stick setup out of. It's now my parts car, out there on blocks.

 

P.S.: Besides "he who doesn't fight cannot conquer,"
"The unexamined life is not worth living,"--Socrates

 

It is a double sided Chinese proverb, from what I have heard at least.
1) You cannot be conquered if you don't fight
2) If you don't fight you will never conquer anything/anyone
.. and the bellhousing thing still sucks. Thanks for the replies though.

 

Problem solved!!!! Traded even for a black TPI IROC!!!!

 

And is it, too a T5?

 

Nope, had it with the T-5. Had two cars with one and both were headaches. I'm sticking to autos now, unless of course I come across a t56 at the bone yard!!! The 700R4 in this car slips, but I think fluid & filter change and TV cable adjustment may be all it needs.