ecomike wrote:Greetings. Been a while since I posted here due in part to my very near death illness the last 2 years (HI Al!!!)....long story, share it later. I still have my Franken-Jeep Cherokee, 1985 with the SD-22 power train transplant. But with my sever rheumatoid arthritis now I can barely operate the clutch. As I recall when I rebuilt the 5 speed myself about 10 years ago, I used an aftermarket extra heavy duty clutch. I am wondering if others here have noticed having a hard time pushing the foot pedal on standard duty Nissan clutches? I am thinking of going back to the OEM clutch plate??? My only other option, which may not be an option(??) is to install a custom vacuum boosted power clutch master cylinder if I can one to adapt to a 85 jeep cherokee???
By the way, the engine still runs and starts like a new beast!!!! Everything on this jeep still works
I have always used stock clutch covers(pressure plates) and discs, I have never had an issue pushing the clutch pedal in, but I am not fighting what you are either, at least not yet.
When I was a kid I owned an early Nova with a built 350, race built, not street built, most would have called it un-street-able, it was dangerous to drive when the pavement was wet, anyway I put a very heavy duty clutch cover/disc in that car and I kept breaking the clutch disengagement system because the clutch was so hard to push, it was a mechanical system, I drove it almost a year without a clutch pedal at all, I just slowed down till the traffic ahead of me started moving, I am sure some thought I was aggravating to follow, but I did what I had to do.
I finally got tired of having to hit the starter while it was in gear to get it moving, so I took the heavy duty stuff out and put a stock Chevy clutch cover/disc in the car and never had an issue even with that engine in it, so I would say to put a stock setup in it, just remember that you have to have the proper throw out bearing collar that matches the clutch cover height, as I have no idea if the aftermarket heavy duty setup you have came with its own throw out bearing collar.
I hope you get even better soon!!!