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Help with pedals
James - 22/7/03 at 03:11 PM

I give up! Thought I'd be try and adapt a set of Nissan Micra pedals and all I've ended up with is a pile of (s)crap that weighs too much.

Anyone got any pictures/diagrams/websites etc. of how they did their pedal boxes 'coz The Book is even more unhelpful in this area than most!

Any information greatfully received!

Thanks,

James


Surrey Dave - 22/7/03 at 04:25 PM

I used the Escort pedal box ,if you look on my website you might see it if not let me know. And I'll get some pics..........

Westfield used the Escort pedal box on the Pre Lit model which is pretty similar to a Locost, they mounted there's higher than i did .

After SVA i shortened my pedals ,but i kept them long for the test to ensure the leverage was right.


http://www.groovy42.freeserve.co.uk


Hornet - 23/7/03 at 07:00 AM

I found this site a good insperation, hope James wont mind?
http://www.bass2dark.freeserve.co.uk/


kiwirex - 23/7/03 at 08:53 AM

Carroll Smith, in "tune to win" had some fairly good drawings of floor mounted pedals.

Dunno how hard that'll be to do.

- Greg H


splitrivet - 23/7/03 at 09:15 AM

Glad I didnt go and get micra pedals then James.Ive used metro pedals ideal cos the servo sits over the pedals themselves so steering column goes below it but had to chop about 3 inches off em then weld a piece of 2x2 6mill onto them and made new foot plates to go onto that.The positioning of the pedals is perfect as is pedal angle, trouble is you need legs like the incredible Hulk to push the clutch in.In saying that I'm using the metro cable which is a bit short so it has a rather tight bend down to the clutch so the cable might be pulling on itself and making it stiff.Im off to the breakers to liberate a new cable which I'll fit tonite.I'll keep you posted.
Bob


James - 23/7/03 at 09:20 AM

quote:
Originally posted by splitrivet
Glad I didnt go and get micra pedals then James.Ive used metro pedals ideal cos the servo sits over the pedals themselves so steering column goes below it but had to chop about 3 inches off em then weld a piece of 2x2 6mill onto them and made new foot plates to go onto that.The positioning of the pedals is perfect as is pedal angle, trouble is you need legs like the incredible Hulk to push the clutch in.In saying that I'm using the metro cable which is a bit short so it has a rather tight bend down to the clutch so the cable might be pulling on itself and making it stiff.Im off to the breakers to liberate a new cable which I'll fit tonite.I'll keep you posted.
Bob


Don't slag the Micra!


Jasper's very successfully used MK1 Micra pedals in his. My mistake was going for MK2 ones and then modifying them before I knew what I was doing.

There's a smashed in Metro that may (or may not) be abandoned in my road- if it stays there much longer I'll have the pedals off it!

James

[Edited on 23/7/03 by James]


ned - 23/7/03 at 09:27 AM

i'm waiting for the day when you attack a legitimatly parked car for bits james...

Ned.


splitrivet - 23/7/03 at 09:38 AM

I wasnt casting nasturtions on Mr Nissans products at all JamesLol.In fact when I went up the scrappy I was going to have a look for a Micra to check out the pedals because of the clutch problem.Trouble is I wouldnt know a Mk2 from a Mk3 Micra even if you twatted me with one.Plus its cheaper to stick a new clutch cable in yer pocket .
Has Jasper posted any pics of his pedals ?.
Bob


splitrivet - 24/7/03 at 09:01 AM

Fitted a new cable last night,which still was really long enough it was another metro one, the only one I could grab as the scrappy was closing.
It works fine but lets just say the clutch is manly and leave it at that.I'll probably go get another cable and lengthen the clutch operating arm at gear box end to overcome this.
The Metro I got the pedals off is the model with the gearbox on the nearside,some I looked at had the gear box on the other side I dont know if these pedals were different or not.
The pedal assembly comes out of the car from the top with the accelerator as a seperate item, this I plan to fix to a upright plate on the firewall.
Taken some pics but I'll post em when Ive finished the complete assembly with the accelerator pedal and modded the clutch and 100% happy, I'd hate to think someone else was copying my balls up.
the good thing about this assembly is you get a servo thrown in wich sits above the pedals so no fouling problems in the engine bay but bear in mind my scuttle is about 1 1/2 inch taller than book to clear a Pinto in saying that theres about 2 inches clearance to bonnet line.
Bob


James - 24/7/03 at 09:30 AM

quote:
Originally posted by splitrivet
Fitted a new cable last night,which still was really long enough it was another metro one, the only one I could grab as the scrappy was closing.
It works fine but lets just say the clutch is manly and leave it at that.I'll probably go get another cable and lengthen the clutch operating arm at gear box end to overcome this.
The Metro I got the pedals off is the model with the gearbox on the nearside,some I looked at had the gear box on the other side I dont know if these pedals were different or not.
The pedal assembly comes out of the car from the top with the accelerator as a seperate item, this I plan to fix to a upright plate on the firewall.
Taken some pics but I'll post em when Ive finished the complete assembly with the accelerator pedal and modded the clutch and 100% happy, I'd hate to think someone else was copying my balls up.
the good thing about this assembly is you get a servo thrown in wich sits above the pedals so no fouling problems in the engine bay but bear in mind my scuttle is about 1 1/2 inch taller than book to clear a Pinto in saying that theres about 2 inches clearance to bonnet line.
Bob


Hi Bob,

I'm interested in the problems you're having with the clutch.
I'm fitting a Pinto too so will presumably have similar issues with (ooh sir) stiffness.
Currently how long is your clutch pedal? I'm worrying mine's a bit short now!

Cheers,

James


splitrivet - 24/7/03 at 10:23 AM

About 6 inch,with actuating lever of 1 1/2 inch so a 1 to 4 ratio at pedal end.I cut about 4inch off the pedal but on hindsight I think I could have got away with 2 inch as I welded in the piece of 6 mil to give me the right pedal angle this piece was square if i'd had put an angle on it it would have had the same effect.
Bit difficult to explain in words let me get it finished and I'll post the pics.
I thought youd binned the Micra pedal idea by the way.
just as a matter of interest what plate year was the Mk1 Micra out.
Bob


Peteff - 24/7/03 at 02:20 PM

Try shortening the top of the pedal above the pivot to lessen the effort needed if the foot part is in the right place. Half an inch off it might make all the difference.

yours, Pete.


splitrivet - 24/7/03 at 03:13 PM

Thought about that Pete but I was a bit concerned that I wouldnt have enough cable travel.I might go and liberate a pedal on its own from the scrappy and have a bit of a play.Its livable with as it is but might do yer head in (not to mention yer ankle) in heavy traffic.
Nothing insurmountable I dont think to cure it, its a shame cos in every other respect its a perfect set up.
Cheers
Bob


Peteff - 24/7/03 at 08:30 PM

Mine's a modified mk2 escort pedal linked to a type 9 box by a Capri cable and the movement is plenty as the actuating arm at the gearbox end amplifies the cable movement. Suck it and see's my theory.

yours, Pete.


Rorty - 25/7/03 at 06:00 AM

splitrivet:

quote:

It works fine but lets just say the clutch is manly and leave it at that.I'll probably go get another cable and lengthen the clutch operating arm at gear box end to overcome this.

Be careful. By extending the arm at the gearbox, you'll make the pedal feel easier OK, but you may reduce the travel of the gearbox arm to the point where it wont actuate the clutch.
You should concentrate your efforts on the pedal end of things as Pete says.
The ideal pedal ratio, adopted by most manufacturers, is 6:1.
Try aiming for that, and your pedal should feel fine.
While on the subject, make sure you mount the pedals the correct height from the floor. Too low, and you wont be taking advantage of your foot's natural leverage, making the job dificult again. Too high, and you're leg/back will get tired quickly from continually having to lift your foot off the floor.


andyps - 25/7/03 at 11:08 AM

I am not sure what you mean by "gearbox on the left" as I am not too familiar with later K series engined metro's but the old A series one I have (and am just about to scrap) has the pedal assembly with servo mounted directly above the pedals.

I think these are common to all early metros - those made up to mid 1990. Probably the same on later ones.


splitrivet - 25/7/03 at 03:45 PM

As I said Andy I'm not sure if the Pedals are different between the models wouldnt think they were but you never know, but just as a reference the pedals I had the cars gearbox was on that side others I looked at were on the other.
Fitted the accelerator last night and works and looks a treat.
Hear what your saying Rorty re clutch operating arm think I'll concentrate on the pedal end first as Pete says,I'll move the fixing point in towards the pivot a bit more which should be a piece of wee easier to do this than screw up and have to split the engine to renew the release lever which knowing my luck I'd have to do.Let ya know the result monday.
Cheers
Bob


James - 25/7/03 at 09:39 PM

Just starting accelerator pedal now.

I don't have my carbs yet so could someone please tell me the travel of the throttle lever on Weber 45's?

Thanks,

James


Stu16v - 25/7/03 at 09:54 PM

Depends on the type of linkage used unfortunately mate.....


splitrivet - 28/7/03 at 09:57 AM

Good sugestion Pete recut a new notch for the clutch cable about 20 mill closer to the pivot point and it works a treat.Forgot to bring in my digi camera today but will tomoro to up the pics.
Bob