1949 Ford pedals

[Bigcheese327]

I'll probably be using '49-'51 Ford pedals on my project when I get there because they're the cheapest and most readily available of that style near me. My question, however, is how difficult would it be to adapt a dual-jar master cylinder to under-the-floor operation? Also, has anybody converted the clutch linkage to work with a Chevrolet-type throwout bearing? I'm thinking it might prove necessary to use a hydraulic clutch.

[Bass]

What kind of car are we talking about here?

On my shoebox I made a new assembly that uses the stock pedals, uses a '70 Chevelle master cylinder, pulls a '57 Chevy clutch fork with an adjustable rod, and bolts to the stock holes in the frame.

Unfortunately I don't have any pics...but yes, it can be done.

[Bigcheese327]

I'm making some serious plans to begin gathering bits to build a Model T loosely based on the Ed Iskenderian '24. I'll probably be using a 283/307/305 (whatever I can get cheapest) and a 3-speed with overdrive on the column. So within the confines of a '23 Ford body is what I have to work with.

[Bass]

Wait...are you talking about F-1 or passenger car pedals?

And are you using early ford drums in the front? If so I'd just rebuild the '49-51 MC. and go with that. I've got 11" discs on the front of my shoebox, so I needed a manual MC that could handle that.

[Bigcheese327]

Passenger car pedals. And yeah, probably '46-'48 passenger car brakes. I like the redundancy of the dual-jar system, however. Plus I get the feeling that Chevelle parts are likely to be cheaper than Shoebox parts at NAPA.

[Dirty Dug]

You may have a hard time fitting those pedals in that small floor space in a T. Consider swing pedals. The '80s era Mustangs have a cable clutch that you may be able to adapt to your needs then your master cylinder could mount on the fire wall. Might work might not. You'll be dealing with limited space any way you go. I'd think you'd need to have your motor and trans in place prior to working through this portion of your design. The hard part will be to make it look simple when you're done. Good luck and keep us posted, dug

[Bass]

I don't know if you've ever examined the '49-51 Ford pass. car pedal assembly, but the clutch pedal swings on the outside of the frame rail. That's probably not going to work too well on your T. The F-1 pedals would be a better option for an under-floor assembly, and are still reasonably priced.

Personally, I'd consider swinging pedals. You can still get the mid-'60s Chevy truck MC from Napa that operates a hydraulic clutch for around $45-$50. Once you have that, it's fairly simple to build a set of Ansen style swing pedals to bolt up to it.

[Bigcheese327]

I really don't want to use swing-pedals. I'm going for a 1940s look. How about '46-'48 Ford passenger pedals? Those seem to be the next most common around here. Truck pieces are considerably rarer in the wrecking yards - probably because the farmers still have them behind the barn.

[Dirty Dug]

Those pedals will have to pass by the side of your motor, both of them. I'm putting a T together right now with an automatic and there was just enough room for the brake using a modified '40 car pedal. I don't see how you're going to swing two pedals past a small block in a T frame. I hope you post some pics of the set up once you work it out. One of the definitions of ten pounds of shit in a five pound bag is--- floor pedals plus a column shift with the master under the floor combined with some sort of center crossmember bracing . I'm sure it can be done, probably has been, but why?

[Bass]

I don't think the '60s Chevy Truck MC will hurt the '40s look any more than the SBC will. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

They really are an attractive looking MC, especially with a chrome lid. I don't think anyone will give you shit about running one either.

[Bigcheese327]

I'm afraid that floor pedals are just one of those details upon which I've become fixated. I'm sure this must be possible - I'll bet Isky's T has floor pedals. I suppose I can live without a column-shift, although I was hoping to gain some space in the passenger compartment. Plus I just think a "three-on-the-tree" would be cool.

Can anyone give me a good rundown on the "'39 style" pedal assemblies to be had out there for use on an early car? 1932, 1939, 1948-52 truck and...? How about non-Fords? There are a few '49-'54 Chevrolets around me, for example.

As for the SBC, don't worry, it'll look plenty appropriate to the car. I usually don't like an OHV motor with wire wheels but I haven't got the scratch to build a flathead. Besides, Isky's car is an overhead.