I have a stock 302 '77 Maverick that is getting completely stripped in the next few weeks. The car has a c4 in it and I would love to convert to a 4 speed top loader. Those of you with the infomation, I woud love to know EXACTLY what I need for this swap. Reading some of the other posts just confused me so I though I would try this. I very well know that I need some sort of pedal/linkage assembly, but whats the best way to go about it?
Ok, I got this list from a post by dmhines. Can someone explain to me the "cable conversion" everyone is talking about? Clutch Pedal Clutch Pedal Pad Brake Pedal Brake Pedal Pad Pedal Bushings Clutch assist spring & bracket Rod from pedal to equalizer bar Clutch rod boot at firewall Clutch equalizer bar (Z bar) Frame side Z bar bracket Engine side Z bar bracket Bracket bushings, C clips and felts Rod from Z bar to clutch fork Z bar springs Bell housing Engine block plate Pilot bushing Flywheel Clutch disc Pressure plate throw-out bearing Clutch fork Clutch fork pivot Bell housing boot) 4 speed toploader transmission 4 speed shifter Upper shift boot and bezel Speedometer Cable and Gear Transmission Cross Member Transmission Insulator
There is at least 3 ways to disengauge the clutch, once the pedal is pushed in. The original way was by mechanical linkage. V8 linkage is very hard to find in decent shape. 6 Cylinder stuff is easier to find, plus, you can use Mustang stuff. Modification on the cross ( Z ) bar is usually required to go this route. The second way would be to go with a hydraulic set up. There are kits out there to give you everything you need (as long as you already have a clutch pedal) to hook it up. They are, however, pricy. Around $450 for a toploader set up. The last way is a clutch cable, like the set up on late model Mustangs. This requires modification of the clutch pedal to accept the cable. Plus, the cable set up pulls to disengauge the clutch, which wont work on a toploader. The bell housing is designed to be pushed. Now if you decide to go with a T5, you can get a T5 bell housing which is set up for cable operation.
I have a newer model toploader from an 81 capri. It uses the cable set up. I have the cable and pedals in but havent installed the tranny or engine. I followed Blown76Mav directions. They are in this thread http://mmb.maverick.to/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6207 I do have some before and after picture of the pedal boxes.
FWIW: I found all the Maverick stuff except the pedals. I got the entire pedal assembly from an early Falcon, hoping it would bolt in. No dice, BUT, I was able to take the clutch pedal from the assembly and graft it into my bracket, right next to my auto brake pedal. Some slight trimming here and there was needed. I also had to cut down my brake pedal and shape it like the brake pedal on the Falcon part, in order to use the pedal pad off the Falcon part. The point here is: Don't let slight differences between Ford models slow you down. Get a pedal assembly cheap or free from any early Ford, and go to town with it. I got my pedals given to me and made it work like stock. Saved a bunch of money and energy trying to get an original. Plus I knew mine was rebuilt right, rather than risking a worn piece of junk from a stranger... that would need going through anyway. Good luck Dave Btw: I also used an 11" bellhousing/flywheel to get better clutch design in there. They are commonly found on 302B and 351C/W engines. The SBF is 10.5". Don't use a truck bell though, it is slightly different and should not be used on a car. It is .25" deeper, throws everything off and can damage the tranny as well.
If you have the skills and tools then doing some fabrication is not an issue. For me ... I would rather spend the extra time and money finding the correct parts and just put it all together with a wrench
