Project "let's clean out the garage"

[Crosley.In.AZ]

Gas pedal room?  Photo is likely an optical illusion .  Appears  like very little room  for the loud pedal

[kb426]

You are correct, Tony. There is 5" between the brake pedal and the tunnel. There are 3" between the pedals so there's a good chance the brake pedal will get stuck in the press and moved some.

[GPster]

After the time I had with the instrument cluster  (S10) in the Jeepster  I thought maybe the final resolution might be easier if I at least had a floor in the body to lay on rather than the top of the frame rails and the transmission and the driveshaft. I have been working on some kind of floor in the Jeepster . I had taken all the measurements on the placement of the power brake unit, gas pedal  and steering column on the donor vehicle's firewall so that I could have factory engineered placement of the pedals so that maybe I could drive it like a "Real" car. Of course with my disabilities I don't always function like a "Real" person. My town has a state highway that slopes down a hill in a right hand curve to a bridge (1950s engineering). There is also an entrance ramp to this bridge for city traffic. It comes up a grade to a stop so that this is not a yield entrance. The other day I was stopped at the entrance and  had positioned myself so that I could see to the left and up the hill for oncoming traffic. Because my left eye doesn't work I twist more so I can see to the left. Because my vehicle has an automatic transmission it is in gear but my foot is firmly on the brake. Because I working I am clothed with my steel toed boots on. With my twisting my right foot that is on the brake pedal  is also on the gas pedal. Not able to be totally aware my truck is creeping into traffic  because the gas is over riding the brake. So now with some floor in the Jeepster and knowing where the trans tunnel will be I can bend the pedals so that they will work for me. GPster

[kb426]

Gpster, I agree with your statement. Trying to replicate a modern pedal position makes it driver friendly for everyone. I'm usually not that fortunate, though.

[kb426]

I got sidetracked with some other repair work today so progress was limited. One of the pics is of trying to find the center for the brake pushrod. One is of the doubler plate for the firewall. The rest is of the pedal assembly and mounts. There will be a brace across the top of the pedal hanger as soon as I come up with a design I like.

[kb426]

The pics are of the brace for the pedal assembly and where I stopped on the steering column drop. The column caused me grief this afternoon. I redid the drop 3 times before quitting for the day. It's just one of those days.

[kb426]

Mid afternoon break. In the spirit of cleaning out parts, you will notice an oil filter adapter that I pulled from the trunk of the 58. I have no idea why I saved it. It's now a temporary lower bushing for the steering shaft. Also from the 58 is a Superior 500 12" steering wheel that was new in the late 60's. That's also temporary. one pic is of the new steering shaft after I machined the end for the u-joint that I removed from the f150. There's some shots showing steering shaft clearance next to the exhaust and lower motor mount.I used the lower bearing from the f150 for the floor mount. I haven't welded the drop to the column yet. I have to make sure all the wiring will clear as much as possible. There's a shot of the f150 gauge cluster being test fitted. Throttle pedal is next. As they say: after the break.

[idrivejunk]

If ya ask me, you are making progress in leaps and bounds. It all looks to be great theraputic fun and I hope you are enjoying the project.

[kb426]

Thank you, IDJ.
Today's stopping point: The steering column is partially welded. There will be a lower support added after I get a real bearing for the column. The throttle pedal is roughed in. I need 2 inches of travel for the cable. Where it is gives 2.5. The garage is half clean and all the tools are put away. I'm ready for another week.

[kb426]

I had several people ask about the shifter location because of it's proximity under the dash. I washed the 51 after work and got to analyzing short time items to do. The shifter became the 1st on the list. The pics are of it's location under the steering wheel prior to modification. Cutting and welding to change the angles involved and the neutral position and the position closest to the dash. The knob end has splines that will be removed. I have several knobs that may be used. Some are threaded and some are slip fit with set screws. That decision has yet to be made.

[chimp koose]

I vote you use a microphone on the shifter end . Not one of the box looking ones from the 50s but the 70s style ones that have a chromed sphere at the end . That would fit perfectly with a 70s metalflake paint job . I'm thinking same color as your 32 but CHUNKS of flake !

[kb426]

I was going to remove the enlarged portion of the shift lever this evening. To shorten the story, there was 2 pieces of shaft bonded together with rubber that was difficult to remove. It will be simple for me to use a piece of 1/2" cold roll and weld to the base to make the shifter the proper length. I will thread the shaft before welding to facilitate which ever knob that gets used.

[kb426]

I'm stopping for a brain refresh. Today's progress is the throttle pedal mounted and cable ran. Shifter lever extended and left over knob installed. I have the 2 tanks from the f150. There were 2 positions that I'm thinking about after having the tanks all over the rear end. The 2 best choices to me are the long tank across the front and the flat tank across the rear. I'f I choose the rear, I will run some extensions from the frame rails and weld in a crossmember / bumper for crash protection. The tanks are close in capacity at better than 16 gallons. There's a pic of new tires mounted on the rear wheels.

[kb426]

The fuel tank decision got easier. The fuel gauge didn't operate on the side tank. I pulled both pump units from the tanks. The side was old and the float had fallen off the arm. The tank was dirty. The rear tank has a newish appearing pump assembly. End of that statement.

[kb426]

Today, my driveshaft returned from being shortened. I dropped it off at Kansas Power Drive last friday when I was in Wichita. It was too long to go into my lathe. However, it cost $40.52 to have it done. I ordered a bearing for the steering column so I can make a plate to hold it and finish that item. I've been looking for months for a pair of cobra valve covers that weren't overpriced. I bought a set on ebay last week for $50. I threw them in the alum. vat and they came out clean. I'm thinking of polishing and painting on these. This is a thursday-friday for me. I'm excited to play hot rod for 3 days. The weather has been summer here and I'm real pleased with that. Off to work.