[Mark Yacavone]

Ken,
First of all, I'm glad you 're doing okay. I'm looking forward to see you racing again one day.

On the brake deal , on those old 66 Chevies I used to race , the manual m/c had a deep recess in them and a 3/8ths push rod going into it, and nothing else. I would always replace the brake pedal up stop rubber bumper with a 3/8ths bolt and double nut deal to keep the pedal from traveling too far.
On my 62 Tempest I'm putting together, I've got a flanged rod in the m/c , plus a split U shaped washer deal I made that's retained by the snap ring, plus a solid up- stop for the pedal, and also a 2" long rubber cup over all of it, as a 3rd backup .
I agree , it's way past time to stick your head up under that dash and see what you've got and how you could improve it.
Do it tonight!