What level should the clutch pedal be at relative to the brake pedal in an as-new stock situation: same level or slightly higher is where I think it belongs. So if you've got a car where it is significantly higher, yet engages close to the floor what does that indicate to you? Wrong parts in installation, wrong adjustment at installation, worn parts? I've got a situation like this. Pedal high, engages low, but I think it's pretty much all been recently rebuilt. I haven't researched this yet but thought someone here may have some ideas. I'd like to get the pedal reset down to same level as brake pedal and a much shorter travel distance to disengagement/engagement.
Mine sits about 3/4 of an inch higher then the brake pedal with the pedal arm resting on the rubber stop. I would think any lower and you wouldn't get enough travel to fully disengage the clutch. o No:
Mike- The pedal should be higher than the brake pedal. Thats its normal position. With the clutch engaging low, I would check the aadjustment of the equalizer rod. Thats the threaded rod between the fork and the Z bar. I think you need to make it longer. With the clutch pedal at full release position contacting the rubber bump stop, adjust the clutch release rod (equalizer rod) to give zero lash at the pedal. Remove pin and back off adjustment 2 turns. With pin again installed, the lash (free play) at the pedal should be about 3/4".
Also depending on the clutch and the throw out bearing dimension used it still may not engage as needed. In such cases you will need to install a Lakewood adjustable pivot ball in the bell housing. Just as an example if you used a Centerforce Dual Friction assembly the throw out bearing is not as thick as stock so the fingers are not depressed as much if all other things are equal. This will enable you modify the the number of degrees the clutch fork will move the bearing and in turn the extent the fingers are depressed. I agree the clutch pedal at rest is higher then the brake pedal.
Jason My original 350 manual drum brake car has the clutch and brake pedal at equal height. And my clutch pedal is resting against an uncut rubber bumper. I always noticed disc brake cars have the brake pedal lower than mine is. Could this be a power disc position vs. my non power drum? And for those searching this in v8 future: the position didn't change with the Big Block swap.
Paul- you may be right. After I read your post, I got the photo album out of my 72 W-30 4 speed car. It had manual disc brakes. Its a crappy picture of the interior, but the brake and clutch pedals seem to be at equal height. sigh...I miss that car
from back in my Oldsmobile days. You can make out the brake and clutch pedal as being almost equal in height. Clutch was a Hays street/strip
Manual brake cars have more pedal travel than power brakes. The rod attaches to the brake pedal on the top hole for manual brakes vs the bottom hole for power. Had the displeasure of driving a power brake car with the rod attached to the worng hole allowing more travel, talking about touchy, bout put you through the windshield with just a touch.
