2.3L ('02-'11) stupid clutch question

[neinnein_nein]

Embarrassed to post such a basic question.. looks like the olde brain doesn’t have the required juice for this one after soldering for like 12 hours.

I put a T5 and a tc engine in my truck—the master cylinder is in, I hooked up a 40ml reservoir filled with brake fluid above master cylinder, there’s a hydraulic line going to slave, it keeps its fluid, no leak—slave is in there on the clutch fork.
Here’s the slave:

To move the fork so it can push the clutch fingers in, it looks like it’s got to actually compress.

When I press the clutch pedal it doesn’t have any resistance, or barely any.

how do I get this thing to catch and operate the clutch?

or is there a hydraulic clutch for dummies article that would explain it?

Thanks!

 

[Shran]

If you don't have much resistance in the pedal, there is an extremely good chance that you have some air trapped in the master cylinder and it needs to be bled out. The Ranger m/c is tilted so that there is a high spot where air gets trapped - if it ever runs dry and is refilled, there will be an air bubble there.

 

[neinnein_nein]

If you don't have much resistance in the pedal, there is an extremely good chance that you have some air trapped in the master cylinder and it needs to be bled out. The Ranger m/c is tilted so that there is a high spot where air gets trapped - if it ever runs dry and is refilled, there will be an air bubble there.

right I saw videos about that! ok so that’s step 1, bleed the clutch. Thank you

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

They are a motherf*cker to bleed. Had to let mine sit overnight with a vac pump on it. Worked, but annoying.

 

[neinnein_nein]

And just to make sure I’m not completely off—the photo of the slave cyl looks alright, yeah? (minus the little white ziptie thing I didn’t remove)

 

[neinnein_nein]

excited for that clutch to work. Welding the exhaust pipe today and connecting the last hoses and I’m ready to turn the key on the thing after months of insanity!

 

[Shran]

I don't know how your clutch arm is set up, the slave cylinder on mine pushes the clutch arm away from the slave to release the clutch. But I have an NP435 trans from an F150. It appears that's how yours is set up to work as well though I think?? I'm not really seeing how it would need to compress from that pic.

 

[neinnein_nein]

I don't know how your clutch arm is set up, the slave cylinder on mine pushes the clutch arm away from the slave to release the clutch. But I have an NP435 trans from an F150. It appears that's how yours is set up to work as well though I think?? I'm not really seeing how it would need to compress from that pic.

my brain short circuited for a moment there but you’re right actually: the plunger needs to expand to push the fingers in, yes. There’s gotta be either a small leak or way too much air in there.