Just wondering about the history and reason why SWING PEDALS are or are not used in Model A Fords. I saw the setup in the build feature "Back in Black" that dodgerrodder posted and just thought I ask for some input. I'd start with a cowl hoop something like that on an MG-TD and build from there, photos and opinions wanted.
not sure, but a falcon or mustang unit should work great. ran one in my 34 pu for years. pretty well bolts right in. I imagine an A isn't too far off.
Believe it or not, there's a tad more foot room with floor mount pedals. This is the roadster in the avatar
It probably has alot to do with the location of the gas tank, quite a few guys back in the day would keep the stock tank location.
Got a modified setup from a 56 ford in my 25 chrysler. Thats about the same size as a model A. The rear of it bolted to the dashboard and steeringcolumn and front to the firewal with the mastercylinders. Brakemaster Mustang and clutch Volvo Amazon making it a very ridgid triangle no flex whatsoever
Anybody know what these master cylinders are from? This photo is early sixties, but the ones in the old Dave Dias PU look to be the same, so I am thinking these date from mid-fifties or earlier?
Early Ford units George, chromed of course. T-Man and myself seem to think along the same lines as far as foot and leg room in these cars. I have an old set of Ansen pedals in my Roadster pickup, and intend to try and sneak some into to '30 coupe with the stock tank when I get to work on that car. There is just almost enough room to sneal them between the tank and stock firewall. Bracing them will be the hardest part.
I thought the ones on the Ala-Kart were '39--46 ford? They dont look like the ones above, the reservoir is round instead of triangular, and they look smaller than the ford units. What years are you talking about for ford? '49 up?
Ah, here we go. '49-'54? A little smaller than the earlier ones. Thanks guys. http://www.shoeboxford.com/public/411.cfm
I used the whole setup from a '62 Chevy truck in my '31 Ford. The master/clutch cylinder as well as the pedal ***embly. The mount was cut down on the dash side but I didn't have to shorten or modify the pedals themselves. Cheap and effective.
You aren't making this any easier on me.. I've often thought about running two chromed single master cylinders on my Model A but don't know if I'm up for it. Would it be any more work to mount swing pedals with the aforementioned set-up (on top of bracing and lines and etc, etc) than adapting a set of floor pedals from a slightly newer Ford? I'm a relatively new guy trying to make my A look purdy..
On my '30 I used 1957 Ford 1/2 ton pickup swing pedals and master cylinders. It fit very well, and the idea came straight from the old magazines... I had reversed my firewall and removed the gas tank. I did need to bend one of the pedals to fit correctly around the column.
Twin chromed '39-'48 master cylinders sure are pretty arent they? I was interested in finding out about the later ones, as I kept seeing them on high profile period cars, and they save a bit of space compared to the '39-'48 masters.Once Louvers gave me the hint, the rest was a google search away. FWIW, the Ala Kart used chrome '54 Ford swing pedals. Looks good, and dead to nuts period correct, if you are a guy who worries about that. I started looking at these because if you are doing a late fifties period car, and are a stickler about it being "period" the GMC master cylinder/Ansen swing pedal is too modern.
Hell, I didnt have a clue what they were till your post. I knew they werent '39-'48, you said Ford, kinda made the rest elementary. You da man!
I used the swing pedals out of a '85 Mustang in my Model T. Cable actuated clutch and made an aluminum adapter to use a 'vette master cylinder. It doesn't fit the "traditional" label but it is pure hot rod, using salvaged parts from a newer vehicle to update an older one.
Thanks! You answered any concerns I had.. I'm shooting for a period-correct for the era '59 build with my '28 Model A coupster. Plans are a '57 283 with a '39 Ford 3-speed and a closed driveline (if it's doable with the way my frame will be set up) and a Banjo. I knew dual master cylinders weren't too existent in '59 so I started bench racing about the twin single master cylinder set-up. Looks like I know what I'll be putting in my A. Any suggestions as to what a good vehicle would be for a swinging set? Pre-'59 of course..
The later masters are 53-56 or so. I used them on a modified 54 petal ***embly in my coupe. Cut the bolt mount thru the center so you can mount both cylinders using the same bolt. Take the check valve out of the clutch master and use a slave from about a 57 F100 it worked great for many years, I now have floor mounted petals as I was hot for a clean firewall.
I was in need of some ansen type pedal ***emblies, my buddy wanted a set too and a couple other friends so we ended up doing a run of about 20 sets, i think they are a great set up and work very well, ive never had any issue of room with the use of swinging pedals, the main reason i like them is that with alot of big overhead valve motors theres alot less room for pedal and clutch ***emblies etc etc. i believe we copied a set of moon hanging pedals ive also had ansen pedal set ups that took 2 ford 39-48 master cylinders heres a pic of the set ups we sold and a couple of cars ive used them on. they also have the advantage of a hydrolic slave set up, sometimes easier than working out linkage jeff
What are the earliest dual reservoir master cylinders? Is there anything out there that wouldn't look outta place, especially considering how visible it would be on the firewall? EDIT: After perusing the web, the best I can find is the '65/'66 Corvette unit. It looks a bit like a stretched version of the late Ford master cylinder.
I just fabed up some frame mount pedals for my A. No room with an 8 inch channel and the stock gas tank. Plus not a big fan of the masters showing. Some of those set ups you guys are building are pretty slick though.