Have a 1955 ford f100. im thinking of moving the brake cylinder to the firewall. and while I am dreaming. moving battery in the engine compartment also. I just had arm fixed and just asking questions. thanks jerryt
To get both items in better locations then Ford thought they should be? Reinforce the firewall by adding a bracket inside of the truck that bolts to the bottom of the dash and bolts to the master on the outside of the firewall. Some people have welded an 1/8" thick plate to the firewall behind the master, to spread out the area that can flex. Without bracing, the firewall will flex around the master every time you step on the pedal.
Thank you for the information I’m rehabbing my right shoulder. And just trying to get information. Thanks Jerry
My '55 F100 received a '56 Ford passenger car swing pedals setup, including the entire bracket. Length of bracket extends from inside firewall to the lower horizontal flange of the dash, and is sandwiched between the dash rail and the stock F100 steering drop bracket. No need to weld anything to firewall, system is tight and rigid. Pedal pads are a little high off the floor, though...Wife has smaller feet than I do, so she has to 'step up'. But my size 13 shoe is just right.
I think its a good idea. Personally, I can't stand floor mounted master cylinders and batteries in hard to reach locations. I think the firewall is a perfect place for them. My plans are to do the same thing when I rebuild my car. It originally had firewall mounted pedals years ago and I liked that.
I think your nutz. What's the point? Are you going to upgrade everything else Brake System related? Buy a good A.GM. battery and keep the charging system in good health and you won't need to look at the Batt for 5 or more years. The A.G.M. battery in my Avitar is in the Trunk and is 14 years old. No problem. That said I did move the Batt in my 53 F-100 so I could install dual gas tanks. I then relocated the Batt under the floor on the Drive side inside the Frame rails. There was a purpose and need for that to be done. I also upgraded my Master Cyl but still left it where it belongs, under the floor (where it belongs). Don't join the "ME TOO" crowd without thinking things through. If there's no valid reason to change things and you just want to spend $$$ put more HP under the hood. This photo doesn't have the Batt mounted yet but it goes between the Master cyl and the new fill pipe of the tank. It might be a little hard to get to but I don't look at it every day or even every year. Buy Quality and do less work, go drive it.
Sorry to hear about your right arm being in a sling. Makes it tough to work on cars and probably affects your**** life.
I did the swing pedals in my '55 F100 because the whole unit was tight, well engineered, and GENUINE FORD parts. Replaced all plastic bushings with oil impregnated brass ones from Surgical Supplies. When I hung it in there, everything became solid, stock passenger car bracket is well fit. Guys look and say, "Oh yeah, these had swing pedals, huh." Just sayin'... Gennie Ford, era correct, installed properly, good choice for an F100. Master cylinder is high enough on firewall to not get in the way of any engine. I still have my 354 Chrysler and LaSalle trans, maybe slide that in there as planned...
Funny, I am rebuilding my '51 F-1 right now. I built that truck originally back in the 90's and I did exactly what you are describing. I moved the brake booster and master cylinder to the Firewall, and the battery to the passenger side of the motor (351W), because the old street rodder I was working with and learning from thought it would be a good idea. It worked fine, but I was never overly happy with the setup. The biggest hassle was the stock hood springs could no longer be used since both the booster and the battery were in the way, and I needed to use a prop rod instead. Now with the new motor (Turbocharged 300 I6), I got all of that***** out from under the hood. Clutch and Brake pedals went back to the original underfloor location, battery is going out back under the bed with a disconnect switch and remote charging posts. FYI, I only changed the battery once in the 20+ years it was on the road. I also plan on putting a new firewall in the truck, because the original got so mucked up from my early street roddy inspired shenanigans. Here is the new engine, installed and mocked up before the truck gets completely blown apart and rebuilt from the frame up. The voltage regulator and proportioning valve will also come off the firewall. I want the engine to be the focus under the hood, nothing else.
The Jalopy Journal
