another series of questions

[alden]

First I'll start with a "what is it" section:

1. the two items on the right, the black box and the small metal fuse/block above it:


Is the black one the voltage regulator? What is the other? Not that I necessarily need to replace these, but I can't even find them for sale anywhere. Are there rebuild kits or rebuilt ones available?

2. I'm assuming this was a redneck modification, but just wanted to be sure. This isn't factory is it?



3. My truck does not have the original ignition, it also has a push button start setup (the middle one with the black "dots" shaped cover). I want to revert back to the factory setup but am not 100% sure on what was standard. Do all the 59's have foot starters or would a 3 setting ignition be more correct?



4. My brake pedal is a bit loose, well quite loose in my opinion. It has decent return pressure thanks to a new master cylinder, and I put a new spring on (I'm pretty sure I've got that on right), but it moves from side to side and up and down within the hole. Is there supposed to be something holding it in place better? I reattached everything that I took apart but didn't notice how it felt before the master cylinder replacement (it was shot so the pedal was sitting on the floor). The clutch and gas pedals do not move around like this.




5. I have a new gas tank to put in, but it didn't come with new straps. I figure I should probably not reuse the old ones so are these universal (i.e. can I just run to carquest or the like and get new ones)?



I think that's it for today. Thanks again putting up with my ignorant questions and thanks for all the help folks!

-Alden