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View Full Version : Setting throttle pedal height (cable type)?



AC Bill
12-15-2011, 12:09 PM
Reading another recent thread posted on here regarding a member attempting to set up his mechanical throttle pedal linkage, vs pedal height, reminds me of an issue I have not yet resolved..

This issue of setting the throttle pedal up so that it is even with the brake pedal when the brake is fully depressed, (to allow for heel toe) has haunted me from the get go. I just can't wrap my head around what adjustments I need to do to correct this.

It has made for some, lets say "interesting" starts, when stopped on a hill..:o Either I roll back, stall it, or take off with tires burning, and engine screaming..:eek:

Currently I have my Russ Thompson throttle pedal and the FFR cable set up, so that when the pedal is fully depressed, I reach WOT, when released it returns to idle. Now if I lower the entire pedal down further, via the RT frame mount, I doubt I will be able to obtain WOT any longer. The stock 302 EFI throttle body lever appears to require approx 2-1/2" of travel to go from idle to WOT, so the cable will no longer be able to pull it back far enough, if the pedal is lowered. Basically it would bottom out before WOT is reached.

I can't see how I could simply shorten the cable, as this would prevent the TB lever from returning to idle. As well, I suspect it may make for an extremely touchy throttle. There is really no adjustments that can be done at the throttle body end that I can see.
The RT pedal arm, is not one that can be easily bent, or reformed, otherwise perhaps I could adjust the arm itself. Now I may be able to re-drill the pivot point hole on the arm in a different spot, so the arc of the pedal is different, or perhaps add some extension to the cable attachment point? Anyone try this on the RT pedal?

As for the brake pedal, (stock arm modified), it really can't be raised up further, as the frame member above it would limit this. I have the adjustable M/cylinder push rod, and it is currently nicely set up to activate the brake light switch, yet not slam back into the frame member when released. Currently, I have the pedal set even with the clutch pedal.

Can anyone paint a clear picture (or post one:)) for me, as to how I can make the adjustments with the set up I have? I know there must be a way to do this, but my brain gets foggy whenever I try to envision how to make the needed adjustments..Hoping someone has managed to get it figured out..

cobrajj
12-15-2011, 12:52 PM
I made a stop that bolted onto the bracket where the FFR pedal attaches. While keeping the Russ Thompson mounting block loose, position the throttle to wide open and slide the pedal assembly, so the pedal arm contacts the stop on the front footbox brace. That way you can't over tension the throttle cable, then lock down the allen screw.

AC Bill
12-15-2011, 03:38 PM
That's pretty well what I did with my set up, made a stop, no over-stressing the cable etc. My pedal almost looks already to be lower than yours is, but even still, with my foot fully depressing the brake pedal, I have to lift my foot back up, and swing it over, to reach the throttle pedal.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m141/12GAGuy/IMG_3052.jpg
Now my long legs also may be part of the problem to a degree.. I can't sit with my leg straight, my foot is slightly angled to the right, to reach the throttle pedal. This could make the toe/heel driving aspect tougher.

cobrajj
12-15-2011, 04:37 PM
My throttle pedal is 3" below the brake pedal. I wanted to get my right leg straight out as much as possible when driving, as my leg is bent and knee is resting on the trans tunnel already. I'm not concerned about heel and toe just street driving, but more comfort.

AC Bill
12-16-2011, 12:37 PM
My throttle pedal is 3" below the brake pedal.

So when the brake pedal is depressed fully, how do the pedal heights compare?

I suspect that fellows with power brake set ups may not suffer this problem, as the brake pedal wouldn't travel as far as a manual brake set up does. Are you running power?

CraigS
12-18-2011, 04:43 PM
I have an RT pedal but w/ a carb and a Lokar cable but maybe I can jog your thinking. You want to move the pedal forward but this would reduce cable travel toward full throttle. Is there a way to add some type of spacer to the cable sheath where it comes thru the firewall so that the sheath moves forward also? IE, if you want to move the pedal forward 1 inch, you also need to move the cable sheath forward 1 inch.That way the travel stays the same.

cobrajj
12-18-2011, 05:10 PM
My brake pedal will depress about 1-1/4". Still a couple of inches higher than the accelerator pedal.