Hey all. Hoping to work on dialing in the carb/trans linkage (v-8 with fom) this weekend. Shop manual has a spec for the starting height of the gas pedal, but it doesnt indicate where its measured? Im assuming at the top edge, but is it on the front or back (part towards the floorboard or your foot)? Pedal is thick enough to make a difference it seems. Anybody know?

Thanks!

Ron Grove

Wauconda, IL

This diagram is specific to my own situation with the Bird - but yours will work pretty much the same way in a 1956 sedan.

When I got started trying to set mine up (like you I didn't have any idea of the proper spot to take the measurement) - I measured the travel of the pedal at the rod from under the pedal where it attached - to where it stopped on the carpet.

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

The springs in the assembly add an additional amount of difficulty - for instance the carb I used had a much stronger internal retun spring than the original teapot. Also the distance from the throttle rod attachment point to the butterfly pivot was different as well (different travel distance).

You start out by getting the carb idle set - then install the 1/4 inch dia linkage locking rod (I used a phillips screw driver) - and then adjust both the throttle rod - and the pedal height. 

 

This second picture shows the trouble that may develop when the "throw" of the throttle rod doesn't match the teapot - and I also had trouble with rapid reelease of the foot pedal causing the linkage to "overtravel" back on the rebound. That is the reason for finding a place for a positive stop on the back of the engine. I used a stack of washers and a capscrew into one of the tapped holes on the back of the block - the return spring seats the inner end of the bellcrank against the washers and sets the pedal height.

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona