American pedal swap for auto to manual conversion

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   Hi,
I have a 1966 American 232 six automatic and am considering at some point in the future to convert it to a 4-5 speed, either with the 232 or a 4.0FI or a V8. I did this years ago in my youth(~1979) with a 68 AMX, grabbing a complete manual transmission driveline - everything, including pedal assemblies - from a Rebel in a wrecking yard near Syracuse.

Not easy to find today or cheap!

So, I'm wondering what people do today, specifically around replacing the pedal assemblies so you have a clutch pedal. What pedal assemblies out there, I'm assuming this is just using old AMC/Jeep parts, are compatible and will bolt into my 66's pedal assembly?

If there are other clutch pedal options that are easier to source, please share your knowledge!

Thanks!

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CDNragtop Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Fan Joined: Feb/03/2016 Location: Toronto, Canada Status: Offline Points: 27	Post Options Post Reply Quote CDNragtop Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: American pedal swap for auto to manual conversion Posted: Jan/27/2018 at 11:35am
	Hi, I have a 1966 American 232 six automatic and am considering at some point in the future to convert it to a 4-5 speed, either with the 232 or a 4.0FI or a V8. I did this years ago in my youth(~1979) with a 68 AMX, grabbing a complete manual transmission driveline - everything, including pedal assemblies - from a Rebel in a wrecking yard near Syracuse. Not easy to find today or cheap! So, I'm wondering what people do today, specifically around replacing the pedal assemblies so you have a clutch pedal. What pedal assemblies out there, I'm assuming this is just using old AMC/Jeep parts, are compatible and will bolt into my 66's pedal assembly? If there are other clutch pedal options that are easier to source, please share your knowledge! Thanks!

one bad rambler Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Jan/09/2008 Location: On The Island Status: Offline Points: 2007	Post Options Post Reply Quote one bad rambler Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan/27/2018 at 12:01pm
	66 to 69 American pedals bolt right in...not sure about 64 and 65
	68 AMX 390 4 Speed,68 American,64 American 2 Door Wagon Altered Wheelbase,78 Concord Build 360,727,8.8

CDNragtop Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Fan Joined: Feb/03/2016 Location: Toronto, Canada Status: Offline Points: 27	Post Options Post Reply Quote CDNragtop Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan/27/2018 at 12:38pm
	Yes I figured that would work fine but thanks for the confirmation. While casually looking for other parts online I noticed pics of a very rusted out 66 online in a wrecking yard with a complete 232 manual drivetrain still in it. I saw the pedals were still there too. It is halfway across the continent so no thought of me just dropping in. I was wondering if there are other easier and more modern and plentiful pedal options out there for a conversion, like from a Jeep. If I can only use AMC pedals from say 66-70 or so, I may contact the yard and see what they want for the pedal assembly. Thanks!

ramblin64sw Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Nut Joined: May/31/2012 Location: SoCal Status: Offline Points: 274	Post Options Post Reply Quote ramblin64sw Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan/27/2018 at 4:16pm
	I believe 64,65 are the same. I ended using pedals out of an 80 Spirit in my 64 American. The cross shaft on the Spirit pedals were a smaller diameter, so ended up fabricating bushings to make up the difference.

tyrodtom Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Sep/14/2007 Location: Virginia Status: Offline Points: 6213	Post Options Post Reply Quote tyrodtom Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan/27/2018 at 4:22pm
	I used the pedal assembly , and every other part of the clutch linkage, except the Z-bar, and Z-bar pivot supports, from a 69 American 6 cylinder, to convert a 70 Hornet V8 to a straight stick. I had to shorten the Z-bar, and fabricate some pivot brackets, but nothing difficult. If I had been converting from a small bellhousing 6 cylinder to another small bellhousing 6 cylinder it would have been a bolt on . If it can be done that way, newer assembly into older the opposite would work too. In other words, 70 and up small body clutch assemblies would work too. You would have to do the same adapting on the Z-bar and pivots that I did to use the larger bellhousing of the later 6's . I converted my 66 automatic American to a straight stick 4.0, but I did it with parts just laying around, that I'm not sure what their source were. Probably also from old AMC's, but I'm not sure.
	66 American SW, 66 American 2dr, 82 J10, 70 Hornet, Pound, Va.

farna Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Supporter of TheAMCForum Moderator Lost Dealership Project Joined: Jul/08/2007 Location: South Carolina Status: Offline Points: 19679	Post Options Post Reply Quote farna Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan/28/2018 at 8:16am
	So looks like all the small cars will interchange, with some mods required (bushings for Hornet/Concord/Gremlin/Spirit shafts). Big car pedals will likely work as well -- but all AMC. The 64 American was designed to use as many parts from the 63-64 Classic as possible -- even uses the doors of the 63-64 Classic, just different window frames (removable on those models) and outer skins. Pedals should work also. The only exception might be the Matador Coupe... it has lots of unique parts, and a Pacer. Pacer pedals are probably the same as big car though.
	Frank Swygert

6768rogues Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Jul/03/2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 6241	Post Options Post Reply Quote 6768rogues Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan/28/2018 at 9:59am
	I would go to a junk yard, get a Chevy S10 pedal (or eBay) and use a Lokar cable. The pedals are cheap and the whole set up is way below $100. I have done it on several vehicles.
	Content intended for mature audiences. If you experience nausea or diarrhea, stop reading and seek medical attention. Located usually near Rochester, NY and sometimes central FL.