The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1940 Chevy T-5 Conv - Help with pedal mod

I have a 1940 half ton with 1954 235, hybrid T-5 installed with late model rear. Clutch install is completed. Now, unsure how to modify the pedal assembly to work with the T-5. It originally had the 3 speed which mounted the pedals to the bellhousing and side of transmission. The T-5 is wider than the 3 speed. The pedal bracket doesn't bolt up to the bellhousing. I assume we need to trim the boss’s off the transmission side of the pedal bracket. I also want to use a corvette dual master cylinder. Going with discs on the four corners. The pedal assembly will need to be modified to accept the corvette master cylinder. It appears the bracket will also need to be lengthened to get the needed clearance for the new master cylinder. The new master cylinder is wider than the original one. The bolt pattern of the new master cylinder is also different. I think it should also have additional bracing to support the weight and secure the entire pedal assembly. Somehow supported in part by way by the transmission. I don’t want the pedal bracket to break in an emergency braking situation.

I have a friend who is a GM mechanic working on this project for me. We did not want to begin hacking on the bracket until we had a tried and true plan. If we messed up this bracket we may trouble finding another. I was hoping that someone who has done the T-5 swap into a ‘39-46 would be willing to share their pedal bracket modifications with me. I would appreciate any pictures, diagrams, measurements, etc., anyone would have of their bracket.

Thanks,
Roland Warrington

in most cases, there is no "tried and true" path. Each combination of chassis, engine, trans, pedals, brakes, etc. is slightly different.

I myself will be switching to swing pedals with a bell crank and having the MC's under the cowl.

larger deco trucks used a frame mounted master cylinder with a slightly different pedal configuration. The clutch and brake pedals still mount by the 3 holes on the bellhousing, however they are different from the 1/2 ton pedals. You can swap the pedal assembly and mount the MC on the frame away from the transmission

if the original pedals mounted to the bellhousing make a new steel pedal bracket and weld it the the cast iron bellhousing

Roland, Here is what you need to do. You will need to grind down the mounting boss on the trans side, even with the mounting bracket. This is only true with the 3spd, the 4spd has no boss to worry about. The pedal bracket should now bolt up to the bell housing just like before. I didn't worry about the original mounting point that went into the side of the 3spd. Just make sure you use grade 8 bolts for the three mounting points into the bell housing this will be enough to hold the pedal assembly and the master cylinder. Check out John Sandoval's tech tip on the T5. Lots of good info there.

Now for the master cylinder. I used a dual master from a 69 mustang, which works real well. I had to fab a bracket to mount it but it isn't hard to do. I've got some pictures and a small write-up I can email you if you want it. Just shoot me an email and I'll get it to you.

George
[email protected]

I had to cut off the part where it bolted to the 3 speed trans and I made a bracket to mount a modern master cylinder that bolted using the original master cylinder mounting holes.I then made a bracket to go from the rear original master cylinder mounting hole to a bolt that mounts the tailshaft housing on the T-5. I might have some pics of what I done.

I cut off the two transmission mounting bosses to make clearance for the T5, but then found that the pedal assembly flexed quite a bit where it necks down at the bellhousing mount. I fixed that by running a 1/4" thick by 1" wide steel strap from the rear MC mounting bolt to the lower flange of the drivers side frame rail.

If I could remember how to just give you the photos that you need, I would. Instead you will get the whole works. You will find what I did with my master cylinder and pedal mount. Glad to help if they are any use to you.
Brian
HHP://community.webshots.com/user/Brians40?vhostcommunity

O.K. that didn't work. I'll find out how to do this again and I will resubmit.

Here it is...
http://community.webshots.com/user/Brians40?vhostcommunity

I have the Buffalo adapter and T-5. I did the Big Bolt system from a 1 1/2 or 2 ton truck. The pedal mount does not include the MC portion. The brake pedal pulls instead of pushing to the MC so there is also a pivot bar that is part of the linkage that gets mounted on the frame. I bought a "L" shaped MC bracket from CPP.

I did have a problem with the rod rubbing on the MC so I fabricated a bracket to mount the MC on an angle on the frame. send me an email or PM to request pictures.

Richard