[Howser57]

I have used this site so many times, I thought it was time I provided some content for the site. I could not find a post that walked through the installation of the clutch pedal on a 1957 Chevy....I did find lots of comments about the difficulty, and found comments about using a piece of wood to help, but could not really piece together the steps...I just completed the install, and wanted to share the steps I took. I have provided some photos that I hope help.

1. Install the spring bracket to the clutch pedal using the top bolt only, leaving it a little loose. Do not install the lower bolt at this point.

2. Install the pedal into the car, pushing the pedal shaft through the cross shaft bushing, install spacer on the end of the shaft, and install the clutch rod bracket on the end of the shaft.

3. Install the clutch pedal spring, hooking the one end to the clip near the steering column under the dash and let it hang freely. Install the spring attachment clip to the other end of the spring.

4. To provide full pedal travel, I removed the clutch pedal rubber stop, and I did not yet install the clutch push rod.

5. Push the pedal all the way to the floor. This will allow you to simply slip the clip on the end of the spring over the shaft at the end of the clutch pedal bracket. There is no spring pressure required at this time.

6. Pull the pedal all the way up to the dash, this will now put pressure on the spring. The pedal should stay up, as it will travel over "top center".

7. Cut a piece of wood 5" long.

8. Place the piece of wood between the top of the clutch spring bracket and the underside of the dash.

9. Depress clutch pedal, the block of wood will keep the spring bracket in place, and the clutch pedal will rotate on the one bolt that was loosely installed. As you depress the clutch, align the lower bolt hole on the bracket and clutch pedal and install the lower bolt.

10. Once the bolt is installed, you can remove the block of wood, tighten all bolts, install the clutch pedal rubber stop and reinstall the clutch push rod.

This turned out to be a much easier install than I anticipated. I hope someone finds this helpful.

Doug......

 

[50's guy]

Nice...good instructions...

 

[GStafford]

thanks for the tips!

I am converting my 57 nomad to manual and have the pedal and parts but there are no instructions anywhere.. I tried to push my new pedal through the center of the brake pedal shaft but it seems that it is too small.... I think there might be some interference at on the edges. Was thinking about taking a file to it and see if i can smooth the opening out.

Did you run into any of this?

 

[50/50]

I used this trick/tip yesterday and it worked great, Thank you!

 

[vich57]

I am converting my 57 nomad to manual and have the pedal and parts but there are no instructions anywhere.. I tried to push my new pedal through the center of the brake pedal shaft but it seems that it is too small.... I think there might be some interference at on the edges. Was thinking about taking a file to it and see if i can smooth the opening out.

Did you run into any of this?

Here is a picture of the part that you may need, though it's a bit rusty.
This slides through the brake pedal, and the clutch pedal shaft slides through the inside.
Nylon or plastic bushings need to fit inside the brake pedal and smaller ones fit on the clutch pedal shaft or inside this part.

The equivalent part used to support the brake pedal in automatic transmission cars has a shorter left end, and it isn't finished inside to accept the clutch pedal shaft.
This picture has the same stick shift part at the top, but the automatic part is inserted on the brake pedal, so you can see the difference.

 

[angs1957]

Great write up