1963 accellerator pedal adjustment

[Timothy B.]

I have had a difficult time trying to adjust my accellerator pedal on my 63. It seems when the pedal is on the floor the outside arm (engine side of firewall) does not hit the firewall the way the book say's and the result is a higher then normal pedal inside the car.

I can still adjust so the pedal will open and close the carburetor but something may be bent and I can't seem to get it right. Has any other 63 owner had this problem? I am wondering if this is another 63 only problem because the arm is changed after 63. Thanks for any help.

[Joel T.]

Re: 1963 accellerator pedal adjustment

Tim;

I never really adjusted my pedal they way you are describing. My concern was that I would get full WOT once the pedal hit the floor. I had my wife sit int the car and hold the pedal down to the floor while I adjusted the linkage to get WOT (plus a turn or two). Works fine.

I can never recall the throttle arm inside the engine compartment hitting the firewall...

Hope this helps,

Joel

[Tom H.]

Re: 1963 accellerator pedal adjustment

Be sure you have the correct throttle arm ( actually called a lever ). There are different ones based on engine and carb configuration.

My 63 had the wrong one on it when I got it and I could not adjust the rod on the carb linkage to the proper length.

I would suspect you either have the wrong arm or an improper adjustment on the existing linkage rod.

You can see this assembly in section 6 sheet C1.00 and sheet C2.00 in the AIM.

[John D.]

Re: 1963 accellerator pedal adjustment

Tim, I have heard of the same problem with 63 FI cars. Problem turned out to be the incorrect accelerator assembly on the firewall. That just happened recently. Be careful also with a repro accel pedal as they are too stiff-hinge problems. Then you have idle problems. You have to massage a repro pedal sometimes. Course you didn't ask this.
AS soon as Jorjorian gets outta church maybe he will post a nice pic of the firewall throttle lever for 63. Get Hanson to put up a nice link on this subject as it has been discussed before. He is probably looking for it right now.
I could say more but will refrain for fear of retaliation. Hope you have an origianal accelerator rod going to the carb also. One that has the 1/4-36 threads. Some of the repro rods have the incorrect threads on them so that you have to use a repro swivel instead of an original.
Why the guys do stuff like this is beyond my comprehension. JD

[Stuart F.]

Re: 1963 accellerator pedal adjustment

John;

I know what you mean. More and more I see metric repro parts slipping into the system - specially brass fittings and the like.

I've had no trouble with my 63 in this regard, except keeping my foot off the floor. I changed pedals years back, but don't know if it was repro or NOS. It works fine. The mounting to floor screws were excessively long.

I like the adjustment with another individual inside the car too. If you do it under the hood, there seems to be some slop in the linkage and it never gives you WOT. But I'd suggest another lead foot like yourself. Wives just can't do that too well, specially in heels.

Stu Fox

[John D.]

Re: 1963 accellerator pedal adjustment

The metric fittings are not even metric. I heard the term for them. I mean try putting a metric wrench on a new WH fitting. Doesn't work. It's some British XXX name. Maybe someone will chirp in.
Luckily I have a small stash of correct fittings for my restos as those oversize ones are the pits.

[Timothy B.]

Re: 1963 accellerator pedal adjustment

Thanks everyone for all your input, I appreciate the help. I will post a picture of the lever but I believe this part to be correct for my 63. I am wondering if the flat on the rod that goes throught the bushings is bent. It would not take much for this bend to make a big difference further up the lever.

I bought a lever and rod used on ebay some time ago but when comparing the parts they look the same. It almost seems like the lever hits the firewall at the bend on the bottom before the stop is reached on "point X" according to the AIM.

I am curious that the lever was changed for later years so I thought someone may have had the same problem with there 63.

[Bob J.]

Re: 1963 accellerator pedal adjustment

Thanks everyone for all your input, I appreciate the help. I will post a picture of the lever but I believe this part to be correct for my 63. I am wondering if the flat on the rod that goes throught the bushings is bent. It would not take much for this bend to make a big difference further up the lever.

I bought a lever and rod used on ebay some time ago but when comparing the parts they look the same. It almost seems like the lever hits the firewall at the bend on the bottom before the stop is reached on "point X" according to the AIM.

I am curious that the lever was changed for later years so I thought someone may have had the same problem with there 63.

Tim, if your lever on the firewall has the letter "H" stamped in you have the correct one.Bob

[Mike M.]

Re: 1963 accellerator pedal adjustment

It sounds like the throttle rod is too long.
HaND

[Timothy B.]

Re: 1963 accellerator pedal adjustment

Here is a picture of the lever and it is in the WOT position but the lever at the bump is actually 1/4"+- away from the firewall. I will check for the letter H, I remember seeing that, thanks Bob.

[Stuart F.]

Re: 1963 accellerator pedal adjustment

Tim;

While we're on the subject, can you tell me if you have much experience with the ground strap on the throttle lever? I see the little monster in your photo. I put mine on as it shows in the instructions, but they never last very long before they break. I'm on the third one in about ten (10) years, and have tried altering the position so the flat portion is in the direction of travel so it can bend easily. I don't know, maybe it's the quality of the straps, but a woven strap is a woven strap, right? the breaks seem to be near the manifold bolt end where it is soldered to the end. Perhaps I'm not getting enough travel out of it before it goes taunt?

Stu Fox

[Mike M.]

Re: 1963 accellerator pedal adjustment

You might try moving it to the other side.
HaND

[Stuart F.]

Re: 1963 accellerator pedal adjustment

Do you mean on the other side of the throttle arm (lever). I'll check to see if it can be moved. I'm not sure if that will have any effect or not. Usually when they break, I just straighten out the strap so it drags on the intake manifold like a pick up brush on a slot car, Ha! and you have to look close to see it's broke.

Doesn't any one with a 63 or other year C2 have this problem? Guess I have to ease into the throttle instead of mash it! Sorry, guess that's not my style.

Thanks

Stu Fox

[John D.]

Re: 1963 accellerator pedal adjustment

Tim, I compared the angle that your throttle lever is compared to my 63 FI car and I can tell you that there is a world of difference. If you have Noland Adams book turn to pages 127 and 128. ON page 127-Top right photo notice how severe the top of the thottle lever is leaning toward the front of the engine. Does your carb have the correct bellcrank? The carb rod would be a piece of cake to repro. It's a mile long with one 90 degree bend. Maybe Jorjorian or someone else can give you a measurement on an original round rod.

[Timothy B.]

Re: 1963 accellerator pedal adjustment

John, I will have to look closer at the parts and make sure they are correct, thanks for the info. I will get into it this weekend and repost because I have done this before but no cigar so something is not right. Thanks averyone for there help.