Where do I hook the huge clutch pedal spring? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

RHestand · 09-02-2012, 11:59 AM

Hello everyone,
I just joined this forum yesterday after reading it off and for a few months.
I'm hoping you guys can help me with my title question.
My truck is a 71 C-20 with a 502 C.I. GM crate motor with a recently installed Muncie 4 speed.
I've installed the clutch linkage after removing the TH350 and everything seems to be working fine W/O the big spring, but I'd still like to install it .
I have not been able to locate a schematic that shows what or where the top of the spring hooks to under the dash. All I have left is the spring. Do I need to contact the guy I got the linkage from for more parts?
Also I am aware of the importance of making sure the throughout bearing is not riding on the pressure plate diaphragm when fully disengaged. The smaller spring I got with the linkage I hooked on the outside of the clutch fork then up to the engine, and it seems to be doing well with that.
Any help/info. on this would be much appreciated.
TIA, Ray

**LockDoc** · 09-02-2012, 10:37 PM

-
I hope this is the one you are talking about...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=452511

LockDoc

yuccales · 09-02-2012, 10:38 PM

Welcome! I just went out and looked at my 69, my spring goes from the side of the pedal then shoots straight up and hangs from the pedal bracket. Kinda sounds like mine is different then yours. I'm sure others will chime in soon.

bobs409 · 09-03-2012, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LockDoc

-
I hope this is the one you are talking about...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=452511

LockDoc

I was going to post that old photo to help but guess I don't have to now.

**Tom Vogel** · 09-03-2012, 09:43 AM

I beleive that big vertical spring is just for 4 wheel drives and 1 tons. I did the conversion on mine and didnt use it because of this. If you look in the assymbly manual, you will also see the schematics without that vertical spring.

Wrenchbender Ret · 09-03-2012, 10:57 AM

That spring was used on the trucks with the heavy duty 12 in clutch to help pull the pedal down & take some pressure off the drivers leg. With the modern diaphram clutches you probably dont need it or want it. If it works good without & your underneath spring pulls the linkage back, I would leave it off.

RHestand · 09-03-2012, 05:40 PM

Thanks guys for the the pictures, schematic and the info. That's what I was looking for!
Just a couple more questions if I could?
yuccales: Did your top spring connection look more like the schematic (With a shaft that goes through both sides of the steering col. support or more like bobs409 pictures? I'm wondering what year truck the schematic is for? My truck doesn't have the holes for that shaft but does have what looks like the holes for the the pedestal in bobs409 pictures. ??
I think I'm going to go out and take the instrument panel out and see if maybe I can fabricate something.
Thanks again, Ray

yuccales · 09-03-2012, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RHestand

Thanks guys for the the pictures, schematic and the info. That's what I was looking for!
Just a couple more questions if I could?
yuccales: Did your top spring connection look more like the schematic (With a shaft that goes through both sides of the steering col. support or more like bobs409 pictures? I'm wondering what year truck the schematic is for? My truck doesn't have the holes for that shaft but does have what looks like the holes for the the pedestal in bobs409 pictures. ??
I think I'm going to go out and take the instrument panel out and see if maybe I can fabricate something.
Thanks again, Ray

Ray, Mine is like bobs409, no cross shaft. Just has the bracket the spring hangs from. For your wrecking yard hunting, mine is a 69, 350, with a NP 435 trans. I'm sure you can find the right bracket. Good luck!

bobs409 · 09-04-2012, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Vogel

I beleive that big vertical spring is just for 4 wheel drives and 1 tons.

My 71 2WD 3/4 ton has that spring too.

RHestand · 09-11-2012, 10:48 AM

This is follow up on my spring question:
The spring is installed and the clutch pedal has a much better feel and about a 2" longer throw now. It now comes all the way out and rests against the rubber bumper.
After contacting the guy I got my linkage from, he said he could not get that cup shaped perch (With the bolt and the metal piece hanging from it, as shown in bobs409 photo link.) out because it is riveted into that cross-member and he could not get his grinder inside it.
After that conversation I decided I would try to fab something up that might work.
I scrounged up some 1/8" and 3/16" flat strap, some Rivnuts, some misc. bolts and started bending, fitting, drilling, welding and about 6 or 7 hours later I had it installed. It's not pretty, but it is strong. My biggest concern is the way I had to fasten it. There was no way I could do any through bolting with bolts, nuts and washers. (Hence the Rivnuts.) That spring is so strong and with the constant working of the pedal ??, I'll just have to see how it plays out.
After it was installed, with me watching very close, I exercised the pedal about 15 or 20 times and saw no movement or flexing of any kind.
I will say this " IMO, with that spring connected the clutch pedal action is much improved."
Thanks again guys for your help and thoughts.
Ray

09-02-2012, 11:59 AM	#1
RHestand Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Marinette, WI Posts: 16	Where do I hook the huge clutch pedal spring? Hello everyone, I just joined this forum yesterday after reading it off and for a few months. I'm hoping you guys can help me with my title question. My truck is a 71 C-20 with a 502 C.I. GM crate motor with a recently installed Muncie 4 speed. I've installed the clutch linkage after removing the TH350 and everything seems to be working fine W/O the big spring, but I'd still like to install it . I have not been able to locate a schematic that shows what or where the top of the spring hooks to under the dash. All I have left is the spring. Do I need to contact the guy I got the linkage from for more parts? Also I am aware of the importance of making sure the throughout bearing is not riding on the pressure plate diaphragm when fully disengaged. The smaller spring I got with the linkage I hooked on the outside of the clutch fork then up to the engine, and it seems to be doing well with that. Any help/info. on this would be much appreciated. TIA, Ray

09-02-2012, 10:37 PM	#2
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,648	Re: Where do I hook the huge clutch pedal spring? - I hope this is the one you are talking about... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=452511 LockDoc __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 -

09-02-2012, 10:38 PM	#3
yuccales Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Northern Calif. Posts: 3,752	Re: Where do I hook the huge clutch pedal spring? Welcome! I just went out and looked at my 69, my spring goes from the side of the pedal then shoots straight up and hangs from the pedal bracket. Kinda sounds like mine is different then yours. I'm sure others will chime in soon.

09-03-2012, 09:43 AM	#5
Tom Vogel 2WD Jimmy Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Davis County, Utah Posts: 2,565	Re: Where do I hook the huge clutch pedal spring? I beleive that big vertical spring is just for 4 wheel drives and 1 tons. I did the conversion on mine and didnt use it because of this. If you look in the assymbly manual, you will also see the schematics without that vertical spring.

09-03-2012, 10:57 AM	#6
Wrenchbender Ret Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Overland Park, Ks. Posts: 5,228	Re: Where do I hook the huge clutch pedal spring? That spring was used on the trucks with the heavy duty 12 in clutch to help pull the pedal down & take some pressure off the drivers leg. With the modern diaphram clutches you probably dont need it or want it. If it works good without & your underneath spring pulls the linkage back, I would leave it off.

09-03-2012, 05:40 PM	#7
RHestand Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Marinette, WI Posts: 16	Re: Where do I hook the huge clutch pedal spring? Thanks guys for the the pictures, schematic and the info. That's what I was looking for! Just a couple more questions if I could? yuccales: Did your top spring connection look more like the schematic (With a shaft that goes through both sides of the steering col. support or more like bobs409 pictures? I'm wondering what year truck the schematic is for? My truck doesn't have the holes for that shaft but does have what looks like the holes for the the pedestal in bobs409 pictures. ?? I think I'm going to go out and take the instrument panel out and see if maybe I can fabricate something. Thanks again, Ray

09-11-2012, 10:48 AM	#10
RHestand Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Marinette, WI Posts: 16	Re: Where do I hook the huge clutch pedal spring? This is follow up on my spring question: The spring is installed and the clutch pedal has a much better feel and about a 2" longer throw now. It now comes all the way out and rests against the rubber bumper. After contacting the guy I got my linkage from, he said he could not get that cup shaped perch (With the bolt and the metal piece hanging from it, as shown in bobs409 photo link.) out because it is riveted into that cross-member and he could not get his grinder inside it. After that conversation I decided I would try to fab something up that might work. I scrounged up some 1/8" and 3/16" flat strap, some Rivnuts, some misc. bolts and started bending, fitting, drilling, welding and about 6 or 7 hours later I had it installed. It's not pretty, but it is strong. My biggest concern is the way I had to fasten it. There was no way I could do any through bolting with bolts, nuts and washers. (Hence the Rivnuts.) That spring is so strong and with the constant working of the pedal ??, I'll just have to see how it plays out. After it was installed, with me watching very close, I exercised the pedal about 15 or 20 times and saw no movement or flexing of any kind. I will say this " IMO, with that spring connected the clutch pedal action is much improved." Thanks again guys for your help and thoughts. Ray



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