Tire leg - Clutch pedal return spring

[Jack P.]

Thought I would ask for opinions on putting a lighter return spring on the clutch pedal shaft. My L79 327/350 has original stock spring

Does the spring only function as a pedal return or does it help with clutch release in anyway. I guess a faster pedal return will allow you to shift faster... but if you put a lighter spring on, What would the result be?

I have been thinking of doing it for about 30 years, now is the time with my long summer trip coming up

Thanks

Jack

[John H.]

Re: Tire leg - Clutch pedal return spring

Jack -

On a midyear, that spring functions solely as a pedal return device, to pull the pedal up against the rubber bumper. The resistance provided by that spring when depressing the pedal is insignificant compared to that provided by the clutch.

[Bruce B.]

Re: Tire leg - Clutch pedal return spring

Try installing a good diaphram clutch in the car.
Low pedal pressure and good engagement.

[Jack P.]

Re: Tire leg - Clutch pedal return spring

Try installing a good diaphram clutch in the car.
Low pedal pressure and good engagement.

I have a Zoom 770 MU1675 26 spl Diaph. Street use model

I had though about putting in a hydraulic throw out assembly, but it was suggested that it would take the same pressure to depress pedal.

However, I just put back in the tranny with a new speedo drive gear and driven gear, all new gaskets, front bearing retainer and for the first time in 40 years, I have a speedo that works. I think I will live with the tired leg, I am not taking out that tranny again for a few years if I can help it. Unless, I get a lift in my garage. In and out four times this summer and fall is enough tranny work .

Jack

[Bruce B.]

Re: Tire leg - Clutch pedal return spring

Jack,
My 62 has 2 positions on the clutch pedal assembly. One is for "normal" driving and the other is for "quick release". See ST12 page 6R2.
See if your car has that feature. I believe that the "normal" position needs less pedal pressure since the length of the pedal arm is longer.

[Jack P.]

Re: Tire leg - Clutch pedal return spring

Jack,
My 62 has 2 positions on the clutch pedal assembly. One is for "normal" driving and the other is for "quick release". See ST12 page 6R2.
See if your car has that feature. I believe that the "normal" position needs less pedal pressure since the length of the pedal arm is longer.

Thanks, I will look at the assembly. I remember reading about it in the manual.

Jack

[Jack P.]

Re: Tire leg - Clutch pedal return spring

Thanks, I will look at the assembly. I remember reading about it in the manual.

Jack

Went out to garage , looked at box that Zoom Clutch came in. I found out that I am the proud owner of a # 30043 competition clutch. Good for small tracks and the like.

No wonder there was a little pedal pressure. Well , since I got the engine and transmission rebuild, (leaving rubber all over the place) it seems like I should be happy to have a clutch that will stand up to my driving ...... you think

Thanks all for advice.

Jack

[Stuart F.]

Re: Tire leg - Clutch pedal return spring

Jack;

Your thread made me think to back in the day when I did drag racing and we all thought you needed lots of pressure to have a good gripping clutch. We had the old B & B coil spring clutches then, and we'd make them even stronger with white springs. I turned the corner after seeing the dash on my 57 Chevy actually torque from the extreme pressure needed to actuate the clutch. That Chevy also had a weak link in a bracket holding the peddle linkage that was just spot welded. It broke and I had to drill out the spot welds and change to bolts. Then, the rod from the relay lever to the clutch arm bent and we found ourselves brazing two rods together. I just figured there had to be a better way. I went to our local Chevy dealer and my friendly parts man who let me dig through their stock of 11" driven discs and truck pressure plates. I found several discs with a lot of metal impregnated in the material, and I then went on the principle of greater friction/adhesion with less pressure. Those clutches lasted the rest of the season and endured 100's of power shifts made infinitely easier due to the light peddle pressure.

Stu Fox

[Jack P.]

Re: Tire leg - Clutch pedal return spring

Jack;

Your thread made me think to back in the day when I did drag racing and we all thought you needed lots of pressure to have a good gripping clutch. We had the old B & B coil spring clutches then, and we'd make them even stronger with white springs. I turned the corner after seeing the dash on my 57 Chevy actually torque from the extreme pressure needed to actuate the clutch. That Chevy also had a weak link in a bracket holding the peddle linkage that was just spot welded. It broke and I had to drill out the spot welds and change to bolts. Then, the rod from the relay lever to the clutch arm bent and we found ourselves brazing two rods together. I just figured there had to be a better way. I went to our local Chevy dealer and my friendly parts man who let me dig through their stock of 11" driven discs and truck pressure plates. I found several discs with a lot of metal impregnated in the material, and I then went on the principle of greater friction/adhesion with less pressure. Those clutches lasted the rest of the season and endured 100's of power shifts made infinitely easier due to the light peddle pressure.

Stu Fox

Thanks Stu, The pressure is not that great, but I thought a little less would not hurt. My clutch disk has Kevlar on one side and some organic mix on other. I followed instructions and drove real easy for the 1st 700 miles. I will live with it for at least the next few years. I am not dropping the tranny again, unless I have too.

Car is off to painter this Sunday. All mechanical work is done, I just have a few hours restoring the rocker moldings and polishing chrome and stainless.

Then when car comes home, put back interior, chrome, emblems, rugs, mirrors , weather striping body and top, windows , side and vent,

and I am done............... just a few hours and hours and hours

Ready for my trip.

Jack

[Mike Z.]

Re: Tire leg - Clutch pedal return spring

Jack-the 66 also has the two position capability, as Bruce indicates his 62 has. I have one of my 66's (350HP w/A/C) on the normal setting and my 425HP set on the quick release, and I can tell you there is a huge difference in the amount of pressure required to depress the pedal. Check the shop manual-if you change, you will have to re-adjust the pedal at the "Z" bar. In the quick setting position, the rubber snub is also adjusted and the pedal ends up stopping closer to the floor, creating a shorter throw and quicker release.

MichaelZ505

[Jack P.]

Re: Tire leg - Clutch pedal return spring

Jack-the 66 also has the two position capability, as Bruce indicates his 62 has. I have one of my 66's (350HP w/A/C) on the normal setting and my 425HP set on the quick release, and I can tell you there is a huge difference in the amount of pressure required to depress the pedal. Check the shop manual-if you change, you will have to re-adjust the pedal at the "Z" bar. In the quick setting position, the rubber snub is also adjusted and the pedal ends up stopping closer to the floor, creating a shorter throw and quicker release.

MichaelZ505

My clutch pedal assembly does not have two positions for quick or normal. It is a replacement pedal. Matter of fact, it is the third pedal assembly. I broke the original back in 1979. Welds just gave way on original one . That one lasted until this year. Stud on pedal broke off.

The one on is now is only a year old.

I just went out to car to check bracket. Yes it has slots for the bolt holes. The position is bolt is toward the driver. I will change the position and see what happens. I will adjust the clutch shaft of the zbar connection also.

Let you know in a few moments if it works,

Jack
As stated, I have a good clutch in it, will make due, It's only an issue in traffic and in Maine traffic is 2 min. delay, except on rush hour when it is a 5 min. delay.

Thanks

Jack

[Jack P.]

Re: Tire leg - Clutch pedal return spring

Jack-the 66 also has the two position capability, as Bruce indicates his 62 has. I have one of my 66's (350HP w/A/C) on the normal setting and my 425HP set on the quick release, and I can tell you there is a huge difference in the amount of pressure required to depress the pedal. Check the shop manual-if you change, you will have to re-adjust the pedal at the "Z" bar. In the quick setting position, the rubber snub is also adjusted and the pedal ends up stopping closer to the floor, creating a shorter throw and quicker release.

MichaelZ505

I did have it on the normal position. Changed it to the quick release position. took the car out in 21* no top. and the result::::::

I love the quick release. I should have changed it years ago. Very little pedal movement, my leg is in a straighter strength position , I felt it much easier to hold, I like the less leg movement also.

I am glad I complained about a tired leg. Now I can leave rubber faster with less leg strain. Don't you just love these cars

Jack

[Stuart F.]

Re: Tire leg - Clutch pedal return spring

Jack;

Guess I'll check out my 63 as well. At my age now, if I don't drive the car for awhile, my left leg gets lazy and tends to cramp. That is an awful feeling in traffic. I drove it a lot recently during the winter meet here and discovered I had a condition on the ball of my left foot. Forget what the Doc called it, but it is like an infected sweat gland. I had it froze yesterday and we'll see if that knocks it out. Without that extra clutch use, I probably wouldn't have felt it for some time - if at all. Also, what helped aggrievate it some was I had new seat foams and covers put on which pushed me closer to the pedals causing more knee bend. Yes, guess I'll look at mine too.

Stu Fox

[Jack P.]

Re: Tire leg - Clutch pedal return spring

Jack;

Guess I'll check out my 63 as well. At my age now, if I don't drive the car for awhile, my left leg gets lazy and tends to cramp. That is an awful feeling in traffic. I drove it a lot recently during the winter meet here and discovered I had a condition on the ball of my left foot. Forget what the Doc called it, but it is like an infected sweat gland. I had it froze yesterday and we'll see if that knocks it out. Without that extra clutch use, I probably wouldn't have felt it for some time - if at all. Also, what helped aggrievate it some was I had new seat foams and covers put on which pushed me closer to the pedals causing more knee bend. Yes, guess I'll look at mine too.

Stu Fox

You problely have a Plantars wort on you foot. It only grows on the ball. Ask me how I know. Freeze and put wort medicine on it if instructed. It takes a while to go away. Very painful.

Now back to topic

When you look at the bracket , you can only see the front hole from one side. It is blocked by the pedal. The top hole is round and the bottom hole is slotted.

You have to loosen the z cross shaft nuts on pedal rod to give the rod room to move. Also you have to adjust the free play there also when you are done moving pedal position.

Take out two bolts, push bracket and pedal until bolt can go into front hole in bracket. (hole closer to firewall) the holes are only about 1/2" apart

Put top bolt in first, then bottom bolt in slotted hole and adjust , tighten

Go back and now adjust nuts on pedal clutch shaft for freeplay.

When you get in car , you will not feel like you pressed the pedal far enough , even though it is against the floor. The clutch will release with very little up movement of your foot. Once you are use to it. Well, see if it works for you. Remember , and you will, there will be very little pedal movement. But it is working right,

Jack

[Stuart F.]

Re: Tire leg - Clutch pedal return spring

Jack;

Thanks for the instructions. I'll take a look. One thing I need to consider with mine is the tall gearing (3.36 rear and close ratio). It is almost a necessity to feather the clutch off the line and I'm afraid if the clutch releases too quickly, I may act like a first time stick driver and do some stalls. My L-76 SHP engine doesn't torque well under these conditions. I've got it as smooth as can be, but it can still be balky specially when cold. I use a little larger squirter in the carb and a lot of advance, but it can still be tempermental. None the less, it's worth a try.

On the foot, I too thought it was a Plantars as I had one as a kid. Kept me out of little league for two weeks as back then they burned them out. But this Doc said no, but again I don't recall the medical term for it. he said it is common and often mistaken for a plantars. Hope he's right as i have to take a week long trip outatown soon.

Stu Fox