brake pedal questions

do need a return spring on my brake pedal if so where would it go? I need to also install push rod would you install spring before or after push rod is adjusted. thanks

 

Yes, you should have a return spring. One end goes into a small hole in a short tab near the main pivot for the pedal. You'll have to find where the other end might go. Of course, the other end will go where it'll allow the spring to put pressure on the pedal opposite of the way you push on it...to retract it. You can certainly adjust the actuating rod while the spring is on there. Even though the spring is pretty heavy duty, it doesn't put too awful much pressure on the pedal because it's so close to the pivot. You want a little bit of play (maybe an inch) in the pedal before it starts pushing on the rod. As you adjust the rod, and intermittently move the pedal to check where you're at, you'll be able to tell the difference between the pressure of the spring alone, and the pressure of the braking system.

 

thanks so it would go under the car my master cyl is there and pedal comes up thru the floor.

 

Yes. Under the car.

 

Early Fords had a special pin that went thru the clevis of the pedal, and a loop on the end of the push rod. The pin was 5/16" diameter, but had a 'knob-head' on the end, where the hook of the spring looped over, in a lathe-turned 'notch' (at the 'neck' of the knob head)
Spring went forward to a hole in the crossmember.
If your push rod uses a bolt and aircraft nut at the pushrod, you can simply weld a short bolt onto the head of the thru-bolt, wrapping the spring hook around it...attach the long spring in a straight line from its attachment.

 

I should've said, you want play at the top of the pedal before it starts actuating the brakes. The pedal pushes on the rod immediately.

 

Couple things:
First, make sure the pushrod cannot come out of the master cylinder.

Second, you could use a large diameter compression spring, and arrange it between the master and pedal, around the pushrod, thus taking up no extra space at all.

 

Pay attention to Mike's tips for the Ford-specific set-up. Most of my old cars have been GM.

 

so i need spring from cleaves back to master cyl if i am understanding it right

 

Nope, actually forward from the clevis towards the front of the car, IIRC so its pulling the pedal tight against the floorboard.

(this is assuming you have an underfloor master cyl.)

 

thanks will give it a shot after work tuesday as always thanks for the great info