The Ford Barn

The Ford Barn (https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/index.php)
-   Early V8 (1932-53) (https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=4)
-   -   '41 pickup accelerator rod (https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=355318)

joel 01-24-2026 06:28 PM

'41 pickup accelerator rod
 

I have a 10 in. long rod from carb. to the pedal assembly, but the accelerator pedal hits the floor before the butterflies are fully open. It looks like I either reshape the spoon pedal or shorten the rod to the carb. I did a search and it seems that rod was shortened from the earlier length of 10 + inches to around 9 1/2. No one seems to have a 9 1/2 available.
Suggestions? ' '

mcgarrett 01-24-2026 06:38 PM

Re: '41 pickup accelerator rod
 

You might have to remove the accelerator assembly and bend it slightly to get full travel to make the butterflies open fully. Experiment with it till you get right.

joel 01-24-2026 06:48 PM

Re: '41 pickup accelerator rod
 

2 Attachment(s)
here are pictures;

joel 01-24-2026 06:52 PM

Re: '41 pickup accelerator rod
 

Maybe just tip the spoon up? How fragile are these things?

petehoovie 01-24-2026 06:53 PM

Re: '41 pickup accelerator rod
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by joel (Post 2434282)
here are pictures;

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...9&d=1769298469

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...0&d=1769298469

joel 01-24-2026 07:10 PM

Re: '41 pickup accelerator rod
 

Thanks, Pete

Dec211975 01-24-2026 07:35 PM

Re: '41 pickup accelerator rod
 

If your not concerned about it being original I would think you could find an all thread coupling nut, cut and thread the throttle rod to extend it. You maybe would want to drill and tap some holes in the nut for set screws to stiffen it.

The Art Doctor 01-25-2026 10:14 AM

Re: '41 pickup accelerator rod
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by joel (Post 2434283)
Maybe just tip the spoon up? How fragile are these things?




Looks like someone had a heavy foot and bent the pedal down. Not sure about a 41 truck but the spoon in my '34 is certainly forged, it has the stamping lines on both sides. I'd heat it and bend the pedal back up. Possibly someone with a good one in a truck could give you a correct floor to pedal measurement. Just for comparison my '34 spoon is 2 3/4" off the floor at its tip.

Fritz 01-25-2026 12:43 PM

Re: '41 pickup accelerator rod
 

I think you are correct in thinking the replacement rod to the carb is too long. My 41 pickup was the same when I found it. We cut the rod, shortening it, and welded it to match the proper length.

The Old Guy 01-25-2026 01:03 PM

Re: '41 pickup accelerator rod
 

-
I have one I know is from a '40 Ford car and it is 10" long. Maybe they used the throttle rod from a car on it. You would think they would be the same length though. I agree with some of the others, I would just heat it with a propane torch and bend it up a little more....

Mart 01-25-2026 06:57 PM

Re: '41 pickup accelerator rod
 

Just a suggestion.
Put a kink in the rod so the effective length is shorter.
Set the length (by bending) so the pedal is about 1/4" off the floor at WOT. The "give" in the rod and sprung ends will allow the pedal to hit the floor without damaging anything but you know you will have true WOT. Make allowances for matting etc.
Once you have established the end to end length either leave it as is, or cut and weld to that length, or make a connecting sleeve and make an adjustable rod.
I take a piece of 3/8" brass rod and drill it and tap it 10-32 UNF. I die the ends of the rods with the same threads and use two nuts to lock it. The rod can be adjusted to get exactly what you want. Mart.

mcgarrett 01-25-2026 09:35 PM

Re: '41 pickup accelerator rod
 

The photo of your accelerator spoon looks to be very close to the floor. I'm with Mart on this one...bend the accelerator itself somewhere to get the spoon up off the floor. It will take some effort but it can be bent if you apply leverage in the right place. We do it all the time with our Model A's when the same problem occurs.

joel 01-26-2026 11:08 PM

Re: '41 pickup accelerator rod
 

I bent the spoon up about 3/8 in. It still wasn't enough to open the carb. all the way and the curve in front of the spoon now hits the toe board at the same time as the spoon hits the floor. If I ever get this thing on the road It'll have 2 holley 94's on a Super Dual. I didn't want to modify this rod when I might be able to use it later. I'll try to find the screw on ends and build one the correct length.
Thanks for all the suggestions.

glennpm 01-28-2026 07:25 AM

Re: '41 pickup accelerator rod
 

The images below are from the "Green BooK". The length should be 10-1/16" between mounting holes.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...6&d=1769602997

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...7&d=1769603021

Tom F OHIO 01-28-2026 09:14 AM

Re: '41 pickup accelerator rod
 

What green book are you talking about and what years does it cover.
Tom ....

glennpm 01-28-2026 09:15 AM

Re: '41 pickup accelerator rod
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom F OHIO (Post 2434735)
What green book are you talking about and what years does it cover.
Tom ....

Here you go:

https://www.amazon.com/1928-1948-Gre.../dp/B00MMTALB0

Tom F OHIO 02-01-2026 06:18 PM

Re: '41 pickup accelerator rod
 

Shoot it only goes up to 1948. Mines a 52 2dr sedan.

joel 02-02-2026 10:19 AM

Re: '41 pickup accelerator rod
 

2 Attachment(s)
Update on my accelerator issue; I made one using three sixteenths dia. stainless rod and ends from Speedway. After installation and checking travel. and careful measuring , I get 9 inches between the two pivots. Also the "spoon" is farther off the floor.
I corrected my post because I realized while measuring something else that I used used the 1 mark on my ruler for the throttle pedal end and it read 10 at the carb. 10 minus 1 is 9. I apologize to the board.

glennpm 02-02-2026 10:23 AM

Re: '41 pickup accelerator rod
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by joel (Post 2435545)
Update on my accelerator issue; I made one using three sixteenths dia. stainless rod and ends from Speedway. After installation and checking travel. and careful measuring , I get ten inches between the two pivots. Also the "spoon" is farther off the floor.

Good!

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...4&d=1770044315

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...5&d=1770044315


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:29 AM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2026, vBulletin Solutions Inc.