Chevrolet C8 1940 Cab 11 restoration, The Netherlands

[Alex van de Wetering]

This some work from a while ago...the pedals.

I fitted new bushings (Filling station) to the cast base and fitted a new bushing to the clutch pedal. I am really happy how the new bushings in the casting worked out, but I am still not very happy with the clutch pedal.....there is just too much play for my liking.......either the bushing itself has too much play with the shaft, or the shaft is not round. I have been thinking about this for months now, but I think I will disassemble the shaft and clutch pedal...have the shaft slightly machined and have a new matching bushing made.

Two questions.....
I believe originally the pedals weren't fitted with a rubber boot, but someone suggested I might need them for the Dutch licence. Any idea which ones would fit the cab 11 pedals? I have ordered a set of rubber boots, but they are too big (even though the shape seems the same).

The return spring for the brake pedal; On my C8, one end fits in a nice hole in the front-most cross member, the other end was fitted to the pedal mechanism...in a hole in a clevis pin. (picture attached hopefully shows what I mean) I wonder if this was the original setup as it seems the clevis pin can still move from side to side a little, with a cotter pin fitted to one end and the end of the spring to the other. I am not sure if this setup is the same for a C15, or if it's specific to the C8???

Alex

[Bob Carriere]

Hi Alex

Rubber boots and comfort were not part of the cab 11/12 repertoire.

My cab 11 nor any of the cab 12 had any rubber boots. You probably can fabricate something out of neoprene gasket material to seal around the pedal shaft. I would make it in two pieces and mount them from behind the floor plate with small no 6 screws flat heads inside a washer and nut on the back side. Two U shape pieces will be easier to install than forcing/stetching a one piece of rubber. Make sure the rubber has enough clearance so as not to drag on the pedal shaft. So far this is not a requirement in Ontario.

Now I did the same thing with the bushings on mine but got opposite results. My clutch pedal is dragging and will have to be removed and polished ever so lightly with a fine grit sand paper wrapped around a wooden dowel until it is a bit looser.

On the spring clevis thing.....

I checked on my early pictures......
the clevis pin for the brakes has the spring near the head of the clevis pin and in the centre most position near the clutch clevis. Heads of the brake clevis and head of the clutch clevis should both be on the inside near one another to minimize chances of the cotter pins getting hung up on one another.

Now is the time to do it...... removing the pedal cluster AFTER the sheet metal is on is a nightmare.... which is what I am about to do.......it is just that the front axle is very much in the way.

On your pedal cluster is it possible that the shaft is now worn out of round and would need machining and an oversize brass bushing custom made..... or can you live with the looseness as long as the clutch engages fully.

Nice job by the way.

Cheers

[Bob Carriere]

Thanks Alex

After comparing your pictures and mine I discovered that I have mounted my pedal bracket to the frame backwards...... you have your grease fitting in front for easy access..... I installed mine with the grease fitting pointing to the rear making it impossible to grease........

Now I am sure I have to remove it!!!

Cheers

[Alex van de Wetering]

Now I am sure I have to remove it!!!

You're welcome, Bob

Thanks for the confirmation on the spring and clevis pin layout. This means that the setup on my C8 is original. I guess I was expecting some sort of washer to go between the spring end and the cast part coming from the master cylinder. Anyway, I will get a new clevis pin and drill the required holes to match the original worn pin.

Uh....my bad, I meant "pad", not "boot". I have heard rumours that for Dutch licence they would like to see a rubber pad in stead of blank steel on the pedals....as there is less risk of sliding of a rubber pad on the brake pedal.
Maybe it's just rumours, but I thought I would just buy a set of pads and fit them if necessary.....but the problem is that the pads I bought from the Filling Station are too big for the Cab11 pedals.

On your pedal cluster is it possible that the shaft is now worn out of round

Exactly what i was thinking. So, if it helps....I am also disassembling the pedal cluster, this weekend...

Thanks Bob!
Alex

[Bob Carriere]

had rubber pads bolted through the pedals..... which I removed.

I might add a few welding zig zags for traction.

Let me know how you make out with the shaft.

Cheers

[Stefan Leegwater]

Hi Alex!

I think we have NOS chevrolet pedal pads. I will have a look Today if you want.

Mvg

Stefan

[Alex van de Wetering]

Stefan,

Yes, please! As long as they fit the brake and clutch pedal of a cab11 C8 (I am not sure if cab 13 is the same size).

Alex