Converting to manual - clutch fluid source?

[Lock]

Sorry if this has been covered before - I'm converting from auto to manual, how have people hooked up their clutch master cylinder? Is there a good method to cut open the crimped supply side on the brake master cylinder reservoir without breaking it?

[Dimitrov]

You will not break it. Just take a sharp blade and do it carefully.

[Lock]

Thank you, I was thinking Dremel (too much dust) or pliers which might cause the brittle plastic to crack. I will try cutting with a blade.

[T.Hanson]

I have used a hair dryer or heat gun, carefully, to soften the old brittle tubes. The trick is in being gentle and patient. Perhaps using an Xacto knife.

[Pierre]

Cut it 1/4 inch to the left (Looking at your picture.) You want to keep that lip.

A decent box cutter works fine. Be gentle. Go back and forth, and rotate one way then the other and you should get a good clean cut. Don't worry if it's not perfect. That's what we did when we converted Brian's car.
Make sure you use the type of hose that is specifically designed for brake fluid. Don't use vacuum or coolant hose.

[Lock]

Where to cut was actually going to my next question, I want to make sure the hole is big enough to let enough fluid through without cutting back too far. There really isn't much space there for a separate reservoir which I was considering as well.
I did buy a genuine BMW clutch supply hose, 3ft which looks much too long, I figure from reservoir to clutch is barely 1ft. Thanks!

[RonDwyer]

Dremel tool with the saw blade

[RonDwyer]

I actually have a spare if you need it.

[Lock]

Thanks Ron, I will look you up if I hit trouble. I'm trying to avoid removing the reservoir from the car, the brake line nuts don't have a lot of life left in them, so I'll see if I can cut it while in place. I worried with a Dremel that particles would go back into the fluid, so a knife sounds more work but less mess.