Most of the parts for a complete...
Most of the parts for a complete four-speed conversion are shown here except for the shifter and the trans. They include the floor hump, the pedal assembly, and some peripheral parts. Tony D'Agostino will identify which pedal assemblies fit your conversion.
This is a series of articles using information compiled by Tony D'Agostino of Tony's Parts in Harrington, Delaware. As you may already know, Tony is a major supplier of both new old stock and used Chrysler Corporation vehicle parts and equipment for the hobby. The Treasure Hunt series will focus on items commonly found in junk piles, swap meets, and the dusty corners of garages, as well as from dealers in salvaged equipment. This month, we'll look at four-speed pedal assemblies and parts used on Chrysler performance cars during the '60s and early '70s.
So, you've decided it's time to make the switch from that automatic to the gear-banging "he-man" world of the four-speed in your Mopar project. This swap has been covered in these pages before (most recently in "Crammin' The Crash Box," July '01); this article will focus on how to identify the proper pedals and parts you may need if you're buying salvaged equipment. The clutch and brake pedal assemblies are paired, so the assembly will include a pair of pedals and the bracket/spring that accompany them.
It's important to make sure you get as much material as possible when you buy the pedals. This would include the twin pedals, the spring, the spring anchor, and so on. Finding each of these parts individually will be expensive and time-consuming. It's also good to remember that if you're buying the assembly from a junkyard, you should get the other associated parts like the bracketry and arms that were mounted outside of the cockpit.
The final piece is the Z-bar mount bracket that was welded to the frame. Sometimes, this isn't available with the pedals, and you can buy this for some applications through the aftermarket. Otherwise, it may need to be fabricated. Careful measuring will allow you to do this, but if you can get the OE part, great. A good service/interchange manual for your application will be of great assistance in getting everything you need. That said, let's take a look at them.
'67-'76 A-Body: These pedals...
'67-'76 A-Body: These pedals are the only variety that have the over-center spring located to the left (driver's) outside of the pedal housing, sometimes referred to as the "doghouse." Pedals that came from high-performance (340/383) A-Bodies will have a tin shield to the outside of the spring, but both types should function properly on your vehicle. As the photos show, the return spring on the performance model is somewhat larger. The wiring is for the starter safety switch (used on '70-and-later models) and the brake lights.
'62-'65 B-Body: Rare musclecar-era...
'62-'65 B-Body: Rare musclecar-era pedal assemblies came in the '62-'65-era B-Bodies. This odd design is identified by the rear-facing bracket that holds the over-center spring. Due to scarcity, expect this assembly to be difficult to find and expensive.
'66-'70 B-Body: These pedals...
'66-'70 B-Body: These pedals are easy to identify because of the large hole in the doghouse and the way that brake (right) pedal makes a gradual bend to the right. The doghouse area has a rear-facing bracket, and the hole is stamped there. The '66-'67 cards used a round hole, while the later '68-'70 brackets had an oval hole. They're 100 percent interchangeable.
'66-'67
'68-'70
'71-'74 B-Body: Pedals on...
'71-'74 B-Body: Pedals on the '71-'74 B-Bodies were very similar to the '70-'74 E-Body versions. The primary difference between these and the other pedals is the way the brake (right) pedal arm kicks off to the right near the end rather than a gentle bend, and the hole in the doghouse bracket is no longer enclosed.
'70-'74 E-Body: The E-Body...
'70-'74 E-Body: The E-Body and '71-'74 B-Body pedals both feature the brake pedal difference (kicks to the right hard near the pedal). The difference between the B- and E- versions is the B-Body has three holes drilled in the doghouse, while the E-Body versions had only one.
'65-'68 C-Body: These pedals...
'65-'68 C-Body: These pedals are unique in that they appear to be almost like two separate pedal assemblies (one for the clutch, one for the brake) attached by a single bolt. Both pedal arms flare apart near the pedal for clearance. These are scarce pedals since most C-Body cars were ordered with automatic transmissions.
Z-bar frame brackets: These...
Z-bar frame brackets: These are Z-bar frame brackets that have been cut directly from the frames of cars that were being parted out. If you cannot get these with the pedals, they will need to fabricated and welded in place on your conversion's frame.
Peripherals: Here are (from...
Peripherals: Here are (from left to right) pedal-to-Z-bar rod, frame bracket, Z-bar or torque shaft, clutch adjustment rod, and clutch fork. Some of these parts are available from aftermarket sources, and others can be bought from obsolete parts suppliers as well. Check the numbers for your application using a service or interchange manual.