rficalora Rob Ficalora Willis, TX (2764 posts) Registered: 10/24/2007 02:46PM Main British Car: '76 MGB w/CB front, Sebring rear, early metal dash Ford 302 |
bending pedals
I want to shift my brake/clutch pedals to the left about 2" to make room to move my accelerator to also move left. I don't have access to an oxy/acetylene torch. What are the odds I can heat them using a propane torch enough to bend them? Other ideas assuming the answer is snowball's chance?
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rficalora Rob Ficalora Willis, TX (2764 posts) Registered: 10/24/2007 02:46PM Main British Car: '76 MGB w/CB front, Sebring rear, early metal dash Ford 302 |
Re: bending pedals
Serious? They're like 3/8" thick. Did you just use a vise and mini-sledge?
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rficalora Rob Ficalora Willis, TX (2764 posts) Registered: 10/24/2007 02:46PM Main British Car: '76 MGB w/CB front, Sebring rear, early metal dash Ford 302 |
Re: bending pedals
Might have been able to when I was building the car, but it's painted and brake lines are in it now. I think it'll be way easier to bend the pedals at this point.
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BlownMGB-V8 Jim Blackwood 9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042 (6468 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 12:59PM Main British Car: 1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS |
Re: bending pedals
They are mild steel, all you need is leverage. A big vise and a very large crescent wrench works well, or possibly a pipe wrench if you pad the jaws. Bear in mind you will have to correct the angle of the pads and it will change the vertical height of the pads, probaply moving the clutch up and the brake down.
Jim |
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flitner John Fenner Miami Fl (168 posts) Registered: 03/11/2010 10:58AM Main British Car: 1972 MGB 350 CHEVY |
Re: bending pedals
As Jim stated, use an 18" crescent wrench to slip onto the pedal bar up high using another to twist then drop down to straighten the pad. Exactly how I did mine.
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kstevusa kelly stevenson Southern Middle Tennessee (985 posts) Registered: 10/25/2007 09:37AM Main British Car: 2003 Jaguar XK8 Coupe 4.2L DOHC/ VVT / 6sp. AT |
Re: bending pedals
Rob, as noted above a large crecent wrench and another one to keep the pedal stationary will work. I was able to use a "torch" and heated mine with a metal shield to protect the interrior. it took several attempts to get the alignment I wanted.
BE CAREFUL if using heat, too nice a car to burn! :) |
74ls1tr6 Calvin Grannis Elk Grove,CA (1151 posts) Registered: 11/10/2007 10:05AM Main British Car: 74 TR6 / 71 MGB GT TR6/Ls1 71 MGB GT/Ls1 |
Re: bending pedals
Also take in consideration how much you will be changing your pedal ratio. When I did mine it raised my brake pedal about an inch. So this winter I'm going to weld in some steel to get my pedal ratio back in. I bought a cheap HF oxy/acetylene torch which worked great. But as Art said Mapp gas may do the trick + others said using the right tools to bend.
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rficalora Rob Ficalora Willis, TX (2764 posts) Registered: 10/24/2007 02:46PM Main British Car: '76 MGB w/CB front, Sebring rear, early metal dash Ford 302 |
Re: bending pedals
Thanks guys. Hadn't thought about the pedal ratio perspective. Suppose if the effort required gets too big, I can always add length back to the pedals. I'm probably a few weeks away from doing this. Only time it bothers me is on longer trips. My gas padel is too far inboard so my knee is up by the steering wheel. In order to move it further forward, I have to angle it more to the left.
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MGBV8 Carl Floyd Kingsport, TN (4511 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 11:32PM Main British Car: 1979 MGB Buick 215 |
Re: bending pedals
Have you shortened it, yet? Probably not. How you think us tall fellers like it?
Cut about 1.5" off the backside & weld it back (at an angle if you prefer). Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/05/2012 06:16PM by MGBV8. |
Preform Resources Dave Craddock Redford,Michigan (359 posts) Registered: 12/20/2008 05:46PM Main British Car: 72 MGB V6 3.4 |
Re: bending pedals
Rob, you gonna still be able to heel/toe ?
Dave |
74ls1tr6 Calvin Grannis Elk Grove,CA (1151 posts) Registered: 11/10/2007 10:05AM Main British Car: 74 TR6 / 71 MGB GT TR6/Ls1 71 MGB GT/Ls1 |
Re: bending pedals
That is a very good point also Dave,
Mine is more like sidefoot/toe !! But I also have wide feet :-) |
roverman Art Gertz Winchester, CA. (3188 posts) Registered: 04/24/2009 11:02AM Main British Car: 74' Jensen Healy, 79 Huff. GT 1, 74 MGB Lotus 907,2L |
Re: bending pedals, floored pedals ?
May we reverse this subject ? Who is using floor mounted pedals, like Wilwood/etc. ? Hemi Healey seems to want this, with the seats moved all the way-back. This should reduce firewall congestion, and help for engine setback. Onward, roverman.
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