I read a thread on here when I was trying to bleed my system and the guy was having the same problem as you guys and he later found out that the pressure plate was not on tight. He had followed the torque specs but they were not enough. Once he tightened the pressure plate it worked fine. Just something else to consider

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2004 Ford Ranger 4.0L 5 Speed, Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac 33x12.50r15 on Ion Alloy 15x10, 3" body lift, 3" suspension lift, Mustang Dome Light, Flowmaster Super 44 Muffler