MG MGB and MGB GT Tech Talk
I don't have a car as of yet, but hope to be getting a 1970 very soon. I'm paraplegic and will be adapting the car with hand controls. I need a rough idea of far the clutch and brake pedals depress before they engage. Is this distance adjustable.
The clutch is hydraulic & not adjustable. Can't tell you what the travel is as my car is stored for the winter. I'd guess about 4". Same for the brakes.
One possible thing you may have to worry about - a 1970 does not have power brakes, so the braking effort is fairly significant. The good news is that it wouldn't be too hard to retrofit a 1975+ master cylinder and brake booster to a 1970 car. That would greatly reduce how hard you would need to push (as long as the engine was running).
I don't have any numbers handy - but the brake pedal travel is about half that of the clutch. I.e, I have a hard time pushing my brake pedal any further than about half way to the floor. The clutch pedal will travel all the way to the floor, but it disengages at about the half way mark.
Are the hand controls set up for hydraulic systems? I'm curious. Do they work with servos/solenoids or are they a mechanical linkage with cables or such?
We have a gentleman in Reno Region SCCA that auto-crosses his Cobra but I've never checked out his controls. I mention it since the Cobra has similar brake and clutch system (similar, not the same).
Thanks, thats the info I was looking for. They are a mechanical linkage that attach to the pedals with one handle that sits just to the left of the steering wheel.
wow, right on Brad. don't let anything stop you from enjoying great British Motoring! I am really impressed. Not being in your situation I never really thought about this, but, I imagine it is something that can be easily achieved.
Also, it is possible to connect them up higher where the ends of the pedals actually connect into the Master Cylinders of both the clutch and the brakes. A system at that junction would be viable too.
I am very interested in seeing how this all turns out for you. I am also interested in seeing the finished product or even the assembly of such a system. Very very intrigueing!
this is nowhere near the same as your situation, but a fun story nonetheles. About 18-19 years ago, I busted my leg in half and had a cast up to my nads for more than a year. After about 2 mos, I could no longer stand not driving my MGB. It was my left leg, and since I had 27 screws and 2 long plates on my lower leg, I couldn't put any pressure on the cast, so pushing the clutch pedal was OUT. I wanted to drive my 67 MGB SOOO BADLY. I managed to use my crutch to work the gas pedal and used my right foot to operate the clutch. Then as I drove, I just used right leg. If I had to stop quickly, I would pop it out of gear, and again when feather the clutch with my right foot, and used the gas with my crutch. I actually got very, very good at it, I probably could have run an auto-x. So, with a little ingenuity and determination ANYTHING is possible.
Brad, please keep us posted on your progress, I would love to follow your results.
Also, JOIN A CLUB! The BEST PART of owning a British Sports Car is the PEOPLE. The clubs, the events, the shows. Enjoy is wholeheartedly!
If you need any help with the car, let us know!
Good Luck, and God Bless!
Brian