The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1950 3100 216 gas pedal arm

Hello,
I have a 1950 3100 with a 216 motor. I am wondering if someone has an unmolested gas pedal arm that they could measure to get the overall length for me. When I push the gas pedal to the floor it is not opening the throttle all the way. Before I modify the one I have I would like to double check what the correct length should be. It should be noted that I have put in a jute pad and a rubber floor mat, so that could be the root cause for my throttle not opening all the way.

Thanks, Jerry

Hi Jerry.

I'll go out to the garage tomorrow morning and measure it for you.

Just to clarify, what are you calling the "arm"? My truck has a rubber mat with jute pad and it works fine. I doubt that would be the problem. When worked manually from under the hood, will the throttle open all the way when you pull the rod connected to the carb?

Jerry, Let me know what part you want measured. My truck is original so whatever is there has been there 72 years.

Otto,
The part I am curious what the length is is the part that attaches to the gas pedal. It then runs through the firewall and attaches to a bracket on the side of the motor which rotates the movement to an up/down direction to the carb. I feel that piece is correct as it fits the bracket to carb well. The part going through the firewall looked like it might have been modified previously before I got the truck.

Thanks, Jerry

I don't know if this will help you or not. I didn't remove my rod but measured it as best I could in situ with a measuring tape.

From the bottom of the gas pedal to the throttle linkage is 17 3/4".

If the rod were laying on a bench the number might be +/- 1/8"-1/4"

My rod isn't perfectly straight, either. It looks like it can be "fine tuned" by bending it.

Thanks, I will get a length on mine for comparison.

Post back here when you get the measurement. I'm curious to see if that's the problem.

What carburetor is on your truck? Mine is a Carter YF. Perhaps the movement is different on the original W1 or Rochester B?

I would disconnect the throttle and choke cables while doing this to be sure they are not interfering with your pedal adjustments.
Kent

I dug out my accelerator pedal pushrod ('51 3100 216 with Carter carb). It measures 17" from center of pedal hole to the crank pin. It does have some offsets and bends, but it NOT adjustable (without bending). There's a stop on the toeboard that the pedal hits before it would contact a floor mat and/or padding (unless that's really thick.) I believe that stop is 1-1/2" tall. I measured it once for a 'bolter who needed to fab one. That stop could be shortened if you have a problem at the carb. I don't think there was an issue with throttle travel at the carb, although I can't be sure as I haven't had it on the road yet.
Here's the post with pedal pivot and stop dimensions. link

That seems about right. Mine isn't as curved as that one which probably accounts for the extra 3/4" in length.

I have not removed mine yet to measure, but have a couple of points. My arm has a ball at the end that snapped into the rear of my gas pedal. It is a little different design than the one pictured. Also, I do have the stop in the floor that is about 1 1/2" tall and it is what the gas pedal stops against, not the jute pad and rubber mat. I am just trying to figure out the carb and linkage. Thanks for all the help.

Jerry

According to the parts listing, the one with the knob wouldn't be correct for a '50 pickup. Those were used in later years on pickups and on lots of passenger cars.(blue highlight)
The one for '50-'51 pickups is listed as 17-1/4" long (yellow highlight)

Well, Jerry it looks like we might have discovered the problem. Don't worry, though. It looks like you can order one from GM for 43 cents!

...oh wait. Accounting for inflation it would be $4.27 today. Still cheap if you could get a new one at that price.

I know I’ve read that it is 17 and some change, but mine was longer. I no longer have it as it broke, but I’m guessing it was about an inch longer.

Chris

So I measured mine tonight and it was 17 1/4" from the end of the ball to the offset that attaches to the bracket on the side of the block. This would not let the carb open up to full throttle. I decided that I would modify the rod, so I cut it open and spliced in a 3/8" added length. This now allows the carb to fully open. I now tested the truck with it sitting for a few minutes after stopping hot and it restarted by putting the pedal to the floor. This is PROGRESS!!

Jerry

I wonder if the cab has moved on its mounts or something else like that to cause the extra length between the pedal and throttle linkage?

Just found my extra pedal to carb arm and as Kevin's, mine measures 17" center to center.