OK, I was pulling the interior out of my '86...changing carpet and seats and cleaning up...I decided to install my manual transmission pedal assembly since I would be converting soon. My 27 spline 700-R4 will not cut it for my new motor. It fit fine, but how do I install the clutch master cylinder in the firewall? I see how it's oriented and how it mounts (via diagrams and the recession in the firewall padding) but I want to make sure the hole is drilled correctly the first time since I only have 1 shot. I know others have converted to 6-speeds. How did you overcome this problem? Is there measurements or something somewhere to drill the holes? What size? Thanks

 

Isn't that what the plug in the firewall's for? No?

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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

I first made a template of the holes on the master cylinder from a piece of thin cardboard (cereal box. I made sure the hole in the center was big enough to fit over the master cylinder and that the two mounting holes lined up. I then installed the pedal assembly and used the two side supports that bolt to the clutch m/c to place my template. Then I centerpunched and drilled the holes. The center hole is an oval, I drilled several small holes then ground down the edge. Been working ever since. Good luck.

-Dave

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Better to keep one's mouth closed and be thought a fool, than to open
it and remove all doubt.(Mark Twain)
Homepage of VTCamaro/Arntzman
Need Wiring Diagrams??
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Ill tell you the best way to do it. I have done two 6speed swaps. Use some 4th gen pedals because they have a bracket that comes down off of the pedal assymbly that the master cylinder goes through. It is a perfect template to use for cutting the hole in the firewall.

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L98, 3.27 9-bolt, Hooker shorty headers, custom 2.5inch Y-pipe, no cat, 3inch 2chamber flowmaster, JET AFPR, Ported MAF, Best ET: 13.86 @100mph. 1.99 60'
17 inch ROH "ZS" wheels. 17x8.5(front) and 17x9.5 (rear). Firestone Firehawk SZ50s. 245/45/zr17s and 275/40/zr17s. T56

On the way... Radar Blue 89 Formula, T56, Ram Jet 430, Ram Air, 17inch ROHs.

 

did you leave the 4th gen pedals on the car or did you only use them temporarily to use that bracket as a template?

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'89 Formula 383 TPI

 

Just bolt the pedals to the car and drill with it in there. You won't hurt it and it will be exactly where you need it.

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88 firebird formula
350 Vortec TBI
214int/224exh, .471int/.491exh
Edelbrock headers
SIX-speed
open 3.73's
2 1/4 stock catback
I love pissing those LS1's off
My Formula

All your base are belong to us.

 

Use the 4th gen pedals all the way. You have to cut off the gas pedal though. 4th gens have the gas pedal attached to the whole assymbly whereas a 3rdgen has only brake and clutch pedal.

Just buy some4thgen pedals and cut the gas pedal off, slap'em in, and call it good.

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L98, 3.27 9-bolt, Hooker shorty headers, custom 2.5inch Y-pipe, no cat, 3inch 2chamber flowmaster, JET AFPR, Ported MAF, Best ET: 13.86 @100mph. 1.99 60'
17 inch ROH "ZS" wheels. 17x8.5(front) and 17x9.5 (rear). Firestone Firehawk SZ50s. 245/45/zr17s and 275/40/zr17s. T56

On the way... Radar Blue 89 Formula, T56, Ram Jet 430, Ram Air, 17inch ROHs.

 

Problem is I never saw the car the trans was pulled out of, and the donor car is gone. The pedals I have came out of a '86 305 5-speed car. There's the problem. Not 4thgens in wrecking yards around here, and definitely no manual trans cars. That's why I need a template. Is a close estimation good enough, or does it need to be exact?

 

BTW: there is no plug or mark in the firewall for this to pass through. All I have is the insulation to tell me the area is goes in. Unfortunatly, it moves around all over the place.

 

Damn.. so if that's not for a clutch, then what the heck is that plug on the firewall for? I used to think it was for cruise control (which I don't have), and found out it's not. Then I thought it was for a manual trans (which I don't have), and I guess it's not. I'm running out of things I don't have! Anyone know?

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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

Call "American Camaro and Firebird". They are in Oklahoma City area. Ill bet a $20 bill that they have 4thgen pedals. Toll free (888) 833-4582. Talk to GARY. He knows his stuff pretty well.

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L98, 3.27 9-bolt, Hooker shorty headers, custom 2.5inch Y-pipe, no cat, 3inch 2chamber flowmaster, JET AFPR, Ported MAF, Best ET: 13.86 @100mph. 1.99 60'
17 inch ROH "ZS" wheels. 17x8.5(front) and 17x9.5 (rear). Firestone Firehawk SZ50s. 245/45/zr17s and 275/40/zr17s. T56

On the way... Radar Blue 89 Formula, T56, Ram Jet 430, Ram Air, 17inch ROHs.