1981 Converting my auto to a manual transmission...Clutch Pedal??

[Zero1Niner]

Wow! I didnt realize there was a whole forum dedicated to the 81. Thats is amazing.

I bought an 81 about 6 months ago. Been doing odds and ends work ever since I got it, but decided to do a major change...at least major for me. I really want a manual trans.

So this past weekend I started buying parts. I found a clutch pedal assembly. The assembly came out of a 68-79 donor. The place I purchased it from said it SHOULD work for an 81, but wasnt positive. I have read in other posts that the 1980-82 clutch pedal is smaller in size, and this was because the foot area is smaller than 68-79. No idea if this is true, but I have seen that the 68-79 pedal is larger than the 80-82.

My question is this. Has anyone here used a 68-79 pedal assembly in an 81 successfully? I would love to use what I have already purchased and get started this weekend, but I know this job is a big one, and I really dont want to do it twice, so if the 68-79 pedal assembly wont work, I would love to know before I get started.

Can anyone share their experience with this?

 

[6880 Mike]

FWIW: it would be easier and less of a hassle to sell this one and purchase a 4 speed car.

 

[MIKE80]

I have heard that there is a difference in the pedals also. I'm not sure if those will work in your 81' though. I also heard that you can just purchase the manual clutch/ brake pedals and install them into your current assembly. If you are planning on going through all the trouble of converting to a manual, I suggest converting to a hydraulic clutch and a 5 or 6 speed transmission. My 80' had a factory 4 speed that I swapped out for a T56 6 speed. It was well worth the effort. With a 370 rear, my rpms went from 3100 at 60 mph in 4th, to 1550 at 60 mph in 6th.

 

[Zero1Niner]

I have heard that there is a difference in the pedals also. I'm not sure if those will work in your 81' though. I also heard that you can just purchase the manual clutch/ brake pedals and install them into your current assembly. If you are planning on going through all the trouble of converting to a manual, I suggest converting to a hydraulic clutch and a 5 or 6 speed transmission. My 80' had a factory 4 speed that I swapped out for a T56 6 speed. It was well worth the effort. With a 370 rear, my rpms went from 3100 at 60 mph in 4th, to 1550 at 60 mph in 6th.

Well...planning on starting the pedal replacement this weekend. I am REALLY hoping someone can chime in that has done this already with an 80-82, an can tell me for certain if these pedals will be ok or not before I tear it apart. Would really suck to do it twice.


Here are the pics of the pedal assembly I bought.

Please help me out if you can

 

[Zero1Niner]

Well...I think I answered my own question. The pedals fit fine.

 

[Phinstr]

Pedal install

Did you sleep last night?

 

[Zero1Niner]

Been having sleep issues lately

 

[Yoda]

in typical late fashion...

Here is a fantastic post about converting to a 4-Speed. One of our L81 Members did it a few years ago and documented via photo's pretty good, plus the thread has some great information;

Here is the 81 Conversion Thread and within this thread in Post #5 they reference pbcanney's conversion be sure to check it out too

Good Luck many more miles

Bud