Hydro clutch pedal improvising - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Bladeboy1998 · 02-24-2020, 01:33 PM

I'm in the middle of rounding up parts for an sm465 swap, I want to run a hydraulic clutch setup. I just can't justify spending 350-500 bucks for a set of pedals. I know somebody here must have modified a set of mechanical clutch pedals to work with a clutch master cylinder. Or used an aftermarket setup like wilwood or the like. Any advice would be appreciated!

2drpost · 02-24-2020, 03:24 PM

I used the mech. pedals with the Hydramax hydraulic stuuf from American Powertrain. Very happy with it.

**hatzie** · 02-24-2020, 03:28 PM

The push pin is supposedly in a slightly different location for hydroboost.
I question the veracity of that tale... If it's indeed true... there's no reason the standard pedal couldn't be modified by drilling and installing a pin in the hydroboost pedal pin location.

kipps · 02-24-2020, 04:30 PM

Hatzie, the OP is asking about the hydraulic clutch, not hydroboost brakes.

**hatzie** · 02-24-2020, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kipps

Hatzie, the OP is asking about the hydraulic clutch, not hydroboost brakes.

Same thing applies.
The hydraulic clutch pushrod pin really is in a different location on the pedal arm from the Z-Bar pushrod pin.
If you can find out the proper location you just drill for a new pin and weld in a new pin.

Bladeboy1998 · 02-24-2020, 05:45 PM

2drpost, did you use the bracket and clutch rod kit?

Bladeboy1998 · 02-24-2020, 06:06 PM

I've wondered if the pin was the same for the master cinder vs the linkage bar, if they are it wouldn't be bad to cut and move. Only thing that scares me is getting the right ratio for full clutch disengagement and pedal travel

dmack91 · 02-25-2020, 12:20 AM

Mine looks like it was adapted from mechanical linkage to hydro. Works fine. When I replaced the clutch, I also replaced the hydro components. I had to open up the clutch master pushrod opening, and did put a stop bolt through the floor as the clutch master pushrod was bottomed out with about 2" of travel left in the pedal.

Bladeboy1998 · 02-25-2020, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmack91

Mine looks like it was adapted from mechanical linkage to hydro. Works fine. When I replaced the clutch, I also replaced the hydro components. I had to open up the clutch master pushrod opening, and did put a stop bolt through the floor as the clutch master pushrod was bottomed out with about 2" of travel left in the pedal.

Any way I could bother you to get a picture of how its modified? It might be help to somebody else down the line too as this seems to he an issue with all manual swaps.

dmack91 · 02-26-2020, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bladeboy1998

Any way I could bother you to get a picture of how its modified? It might be help to somebody else down the line too as this seems to he an issue with all manual swaps.

Here is a pic of the link and stop bolt.

**hatzie** · 02-25-2020, 12:21 PM

You can get round stock in the correct diameter for the pin, drill the arm for an interference fit, drive the pin in flush with the side opposite the pushrod, and plug weld the pin on the side opposite the pushrod.
You don't have to use circlips you can crossdrill the pin for a hairpin clip and spacer washer or a cotter pin and spacer washer.
Some kind of pedal stop would certainly be helpful. I'm not sure that my 1985 had one and it had a stock hydraulic clutch. I know my 1976 didn't.

Bladeboy1998 · 02-25-2020, 08:38 PM

That's what I'm probably going to do. I'm going to order a new master so I can find the size rod I need, I'm trying to get all my stuff lined up so I can get this turd going again!

I'll probably have to make a pedal stop because I know I'll have a problem figuring out the proper location for the push rod mount so I'll just let the master bottom out and then make a stop for the pedal.

**hatzie** · 02-26-2020, 10:09 AM

Once you start driving it you'll feel the clutch disengage. I usually get to the point where I don't bother to push it further than that. A lot of the time I don't use the clutch on the way up through the gears... you get a feel for the engine and road speed.

Bladeboy1998 · 02-26-2020, 06:02 PM

I'm probably going to have to throw the truck together and drive it and make some tweaks to it. It's hard getting this all sorted out because I don't have another truck to look at or pull parts from.

Bladeboy1998 · 02-27-2020, 03:44 PM

Awesome!

I went to tractor supply last night and found a brass bushing that fits just slightly loose inside the loop for the master rush rod, and a bolt that fit inside the bushing, ground the bushing down slightly and it crowned the inside slightly. Enough for the bolt to grab it and not spin. I think that will be the ticket for the master cylinder mounting. Next will be the slave cylinder. Thank you guys for all the help!

02-24-2020, 01:33 PM	#1
Bladeboy1998 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Toledo Ohio Posts: 520	Hydro clutch pedal improvising I'm in the middle of rounding up parts for an sm465 swap, I want to run a hydraulic clutch setup. I just can't justify spending 350-500 bucks for a set of pedals. I know somebody here must have modified a set of mechanical clutch pedals to work with a clutch master cylinder. Or used an aftermarket setup like wilwood or the like. Any advice would be appreciated!

02-24-2020, 03:24 PM	#2
2drpost Registered User Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 17	Re: Hydro clutch pedal improvising I used the mech. pedals with the Hydramax hydraulic stuuf from American Powertrain. Very happy with it.

02-24-2020, 03:28 PM	#3
hatzie Moderator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wentworth, NH Posts: 4,977	Re: Hydro clutch pedal improvising The push pin is supposedly in a slightly different location for hydroboost. I question the veracity of that tale... If it's indeed true... there's no reason the standard pedal couldn't be modified by drilling and installing a pin in the hydroboost pedal pin location. __________________ 1959 M35A2 LDT465-1D SOLD 1967 Dodge W200 B383, NP420/NP201 SOLD 1969 Dodge Polara 500 B383, A833 SOLD 1972 Ford F250 FE390, NP435/NP205 SOLD 1976 Chevy K20, 6.5L, NV4500/NP208 SOLD 1986 M1008 CUCV SOLD 2000 GMC C2500, TD6.5L, NV4500 2005 Chevy Silverado LS 2500HD 6.0L 4L80E/NP263 2009 Impala SS LS4 V8 RTFM... GM Parts Books, GM Schematics, GM service manuals, and GM training materials... 1973-1991 GM Light Truck Service, Unit/Overhaul, Wiring Manuals, Parts Books and Some 1968-1999 GM Service Training textbooks in PDF 1988-1998 GMT400 CK service manual project 1988-1993 GMT400 CK parts books. 1967-1972 GM Light, Medium, & Heavy Truck Service Manuals in PDF Please include at least the year and model in your threads. It'll be easier to answer your questions. And please let us know if and how your repairs were successful.

02-24-2020, 04:30 PM	#4
kipps Registered User Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: North-central Virginia Posts: 1,104	Re: Hydro clutch pedal improvising Hatzie, the OP is asking about the hydraulic clutch, not hydroboost brakes. __________________ 1987 C6P V20 truck, 2010 LMG 5.3, AFM delete, 2010 Camaro exhaust manifolds, 1997 nv4500, 1991 np241c, hydroboost, 2005 14bff axle & driveshaft, drop-n-lock gooseneck, 4.10 gears, stock suspension, rims, and tires. Still a work in progress. Any questions or suggestions are welcome!

02-24-2020, 05:45 PM	#6
Bladeboy1998 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Toledo Ohio Posts: 520	Re: Hydro clutch pedal improvising 2drpost, did you use the bracket and clutch rod kit?

02-24-2020, 06:06 PM	#7
Bladeboy1998 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Toledo Ohio Posts: 520	Re: Hydro clutch pedal improvising I've wondered if the pin was the same for the master cinder vs the linkage bar, if they are it wouldn't be bad to cut and move. Only thing that scares me is getting the right ratio for full clutch disengagement and pedal travel

02-25-2020, 12:20 AM	#8
dmack91 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Redmond, OR Posts: 763	Re: Hydro clutch pedal improvising Mine looks like it was adapted from mechanical linkage to hydro. Works fine. When I replaced the clutch, I also replaced the hydro components. I had to open up the clutch master pushrod opening, and did put a stop bolt through the floor as the clutch master pushrod was bottomed out with about 2" of travel left in the pedal. __________________ 68 Chev C20- son has it now 83 K20 - bought from son 70 C20 - in progress

02-25-2020, 12:21 PM	#11
hatzie Moderator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wentworth, NH Posts: 4,977	Re: Hydro clutch pedal improvising You can get round stock in the correct diameter for the pin, drill the arm for an interference fit, drive the pin in flush with the side opposite the pushrod, and plug weld the pin on the side opposite the pushrod. You don't have to use circlips you can crossdrill the pin for a hairpin clip and spacer washer or a cotter pin and spacer washer. Some kind of pedal stop would certainly be helpful. I'm not sure that my 1985 had one and it had a stock hydraulic clutch. I know my 1976 didn't. __________________ 1959 M35A2 LDT465-1D SOLD 1967 Dodge W200 B383, NP420/NP201 SOLD 1969 Dodge Polara 500 B383, A833 SOLD 1972 Ford F250 FE390, NP435/NP205 SOLD 1976 Chevy K20, 6.5L, NV4500/NP208 SOLD 1986 M1008 CUCV SOLD 2000 GMC C2500, TD6.5L, NV4500 2005 Chevy Silverado LS 2500HD 6.0L 4L80E/NP263 2009 Impala SS LS4 V8 RTFM... GM Parts Books, GM Schematics, GM service manuals, and GM training materials... 1973-1991 GM Light Truck Service, Unit/Overhaul, Wiring Manuals, Parts Books and Some 1968-1999 GM Service Training textbooks in PDF 1988-1998 GMT400 CK service manual project 1988-1993 GMT400 CK parts books. 1967-1972 GM Light, Medium, & Heavy Truck Service Manuals in PDF Please include at least the year and model in your threads. It'll be easier to answer your questions. And please let us know if and how your repairs were successful.

02-25-2020, 08:38 PM	#12
Bladeboy1998 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Toledo Ohio Posts: 520	Re: Hydro clutch pedal improvising That's what I'm probably going to do. I'm going to order a new master so I can find the size rod I need, I'm trying to get all my stuff lined up so I can get this turd going again! I'll probably have to make a pedal stop because I know I'll have a problem figuring out the proper location for the push rod mount so I'll just let the master bottom out and then make a stop for the pedal.

02-26-2020, 10:09 AM	#13
hatzie Moderator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wentworth, NH Posts: 4,977	Re: Hydro clutch pedal improvising Once you start driving it you'll feel the clutch disengage. I usually get to the point where I don't bother to push it further than that. A lot of the time I don't use the clutch on the way up through the gears... you get a feel for the engine and road speed. __________________ 1959 M35A2 LDT465-1D SOLD 1967 Dodge W200 B383, NP420/NP201 SOLD 1969 Dodge Polara 500 B383, A833 SOLD 1972 Ford F250 FE390, NP435/NP205 SOLD 1976 Chevy K20, 6.5L, NV4500/NP208 SOLD 1986 M1008 CUCV SOLD 2000 GMC C2500, TD6.5L, NV4500 2005 Chevy Silverado LS 2500HD 6.0L 4L80E/NP263 2009 Impala SS LS4 V8 RTFM... GM Parts Books, GM Schematics, GM service manuals, and GM training materials... 1973-1991 GM Light Truck Service, Unit/Overhaul, Wiring Manuals, Parts Books and Some 1968-1999 GM Service Training textbooks in PDF 1988-1998 GMT400 CK service manual project 1988-1993 GMT400 CK parts books. 1967-1972 GM Light, Medium, & Heavy Truck Service Manuals in PDF Please include at least the year and model in your threads. It'll be easier to answer your questions. And please let us know if and how your repairs were successful.

02-26-2020, 06:02 PM	#14
Bladeboy1998 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Toledo Ohio Posts: 520	Re: Hydro clutch pedal improvising I'm probably going to have to throw the truck together and drive it and make some tweaks to it. It's hard getting this all sorted out because I don't have another truck to look at or pull parts from.

02-27-2020, 03:44 PM	#15
Bladeboy1998 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Toledo Ohio Posts: 520	Re: Hydro clutch pedal improvising Awesome! I went to tractor supply last night and found a brass bushing that fits just slightly loose inside the loop for the master rush rod, and a bolt that fit inside the bushing, ground the bushing down slightly and it crowned the inside slightly. Enough for the bolt to grab it and not spin. I think that will be the ticket for the master cylinder mounting. Next will be the slave cylinder. Thank you guys for all the help!



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