The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Shorter gas pedal range

Installed carpet and insulation in the floor of my 58 3100 and now I notice that I can't get full throttle because the carpet takes up a half inch of my range.I'm on the floor and running between 65 and 70 but the carpet does not let me bottom out the gas pedal. Is there a way to extent the accelerator rod without welding to use the half inch that the carpet is stealing? I'm running a 55 235 with 3.90 rear and overdrive.

The "without welding" stipulation throws a wrench to most proposals but you might check to see if the hole in the lever on the carb could be moved closer to the throttle shaft without causing the vertical accelerator rod to bind against something. The rod from the pedal to the bell crank on the pin in the side of the block could possibly have the hole on the PEDAL link moved closer to center. Again trial and error to check for clashes or binding.

Does the rod from the pedal to the bell crank need to be completely straight or does it have a slight bow downward in the middle?

It has a bow.

Get a piece of rod the same diameter. Then cut your rod. while at the Hardware Store buy 2 u-shaped cable clamps in the same diameter (or close) and use those to piggyback the rods together. You will then be able to adjust the length of the rod however you want.

It' good to know it has a bow because I was worried mine was bent. Rather than cut my original rod I would rather add something under the pedal or at the carb end. I may try to fab a piece to extend a half inch at the carb.

What part of the pedal is contacting the bottom of the gas pedal? Can you carve out the section of carpet/pad to give you clearance?

Carl, I was thinking the same

That was my first thought also.

Well you late birds need to get up earlier if you ever expect to get the worm.
(Or maybe I need to get a life.)
Carl

The pedal attached sits with the top right corner at 2 o clock. Right now I am using a 1/2 to 3/8 socket adapter modified and attached between the accelerator rod and the gas pedal to regain the 1/2 inch I lost.

You need an adjustable bell crank, a longer radius will yield more push.

Let's see a picture of that.

I will try to get a picture posted. Did the adjustable bell crank come on the cars . I have seen lots of those on e bay but did no know if they would interchange on the trucks.

Nope, didn't come stock TMK. Lengthening the rod is only going to put the pedal closer to you. If you are 6' or taller you need all the space. I'm 5' 11" and I just fit if I were taller (or the pedals closer) I would be hard pressed to put the mileage on that I do.

I'm 6 ft 4 inches tall so if that is the case maybe I need to leave well enough alone. I did change my steering wheel from a huge catalina to a smaller chevrolet wheel and that gave me a lot more breathing room.