73 auto to four speed question

[eastnder]

Hi all,
I'm wondering if any of you can tell me how hard it is to add the clutch pedal under the dash. It looks pretty tight and way up under the dash. I just got my engine back from a rebuild and I had the automatic rebuilt as well as a muncie four speed from another 73 I picked up off of e-bay. The guy sent me everything from flywheel, shift plate, shifter, linkages,ect. Only thing I didn't get was the clutch pedal, but I see that in the after market.. I guess my real question is do I have to take the dash out to do this job? All help and inspiration is appreciated, Thanks......Jim

 

[Tom73]

I have never done it but I would have to assume that the hardest part would be the pedals. I would think that the drivers side of the dash would have to come out to do it right.

tom...

 

[eastnder]

Thanks Tom, that was my impression also. I was hoping someone that actually did it could tell me how big a pain it might be?.....Jim

 

[MLTexas]

Well, I had to replace mine a week ago. It was a real chore. My pin that comes off to the side of the clutch pedal snapped off and I had to replace the pedal.

I had to do the following...

1) Remove steering column
2) Remove the dashes
3) Support the Master Cylinder
4) Remove other stuff in the way

5) Remove the pedal bracket - This is where it gets tight. There is roughly an 1/8 of an inch from the firewall to the the windshield base. This means that the current brake bracket has to slide down and then out. On mine, they had two metal tabs over the Master Cylinder bolt heads (inside car) I had to bend those tabs down to get the two bolts out of the car before I
could get the bracket out. I am not sure if you can reuse the existing bracket if you need one for a standard car. The two pedals will sit next to each other with bushing and one center pin.

The Service Manual will walk you through the process...

Hope this helps,

Matt

 

[eastnder]

Hi Matt,
Wow, that looks like quite a project. That is exactly what I was looking for! I actually bought a new dash pad that I have to change and after looking at your picture I guess I would have to tear the gauge cluster out anyway, so maybe I'll just jump in with both feet. Thanks for your input...Jim

 

[LEEJANDZ]

;help ;help ;help

I bought my 79 L-82 with a B&M tweaked automatic.
But I have started to "remove" all "un-necessary" equipment.
(ie A/C, heater, emission controls, extra wires, you name it.)

I was actually thinking about doing the conversion to a manual.

What my question is...
Isnt the clearence for the pedals on an automatic different than the manual?
I thought there had to be a bigger opening in the firewall for the clutch?

Anyone been there done that?

;help ;help ;help

JASON *** BRAND NEW MAGNECOR WIRES FOR SALE!!! *** 1979 L-82