z-bar alignment

[vetteman91]

I hope someone out there can help me. I just purchased a 74 Roadrunner that someone transplanted a 383 engine in place of the 360. Car was a factory 4 speed car. Shifter tunnel is forward so I am assuming it was originally a bench seat car. My z-bar is crooked and linkage from clutch pedal is rubbing through hole in floor. As a matter of fact it looks like someone had to make hole bigger. Clutch does not return without help because everything is in such a bind. The bellhousing has the telltale writing from a salvage yard marking it as a 65-66 cast iron big block bellhousing. Why is the z-bar so crooked? Are there different bellhousings among big blocks? I was told that z-bar should be straight across but it angles forward from frame to bellhousing. Also found out today the transmission will not go into 4th gear. Undid linkage from transmission and tried to move lever to eliminate a shifter problem. Goes into all other gears. Suggestions?

 

[Cornpatch MO]

There are several bellhousings, Z bars, clutch forks, and Z bar brackets that were used in the 60's and probably the 70's. IMHO all these need to match with each other to have the correct geometry and to work correctly. I went from scratch to find all the correct stuff for my 64 Dodge, and it couldn't work better. I suggest you go to Brewer Performance website and look at their online catalog. Give them a phone call, very helpful folks there and they know their Mopar stuff.....................MO

 

[vetteman91]

I called Brewers today and found out I need 4 new parts to fix most of my problems. But I also found out that the engine swap from a SB to BB was done without switching k member. So engine is sitting about an inch further forward than should be. Ordered conversion mounts from Schumachers tonight and will be able to move engine back where it needs to be. Performance was very helpful and explained everything to me. Thanks for the suggestion. Hopefully I will have things heading in right direction now.

 

[Cornpatch MO]

Good to hear. . Have you checked to see if your rear tranny mount will work?....................MO

 

[vetteman91]

No not yet but assuming it will since it was off by an inch or so.

 

[vetteman91]

Well after all of the fighting with clutch linkage and problems getting z bar to fit I finally got to bottom of all of this. This car had a buckle in the frame that went unnoticed behind the steering box. Frame was over and in too close to engine causing even more problems than was initially known. When I saw this it made me a little nauseous. Luckily I run an automotive repair shop and we are next door to a body shop with a frame machine. Spent most of the day yesterday with the owner of the body shop pulling the frame back into specs. How thankful I am to have good buddies that will help a fellow out.

 

[70bigblockdodge]

Well after all of the fighting with clutch linkage and problems getting z bar to fit I finally got to bottom of all of this. This car had a buckle in the frame that went unnoticed behind the steering box. Frame was over and in too close to engine causing even more problems than was initially known. When I saw this it made me a little nauseous. Luckily I run an automotive repair shop and we are next door to a body shop with a frame machine. Spent most of the day yesterday with the owner of the body shop pulling the frame back into specs. How thankful I am to have good buddies that will help a fellow out.

And your asking us for help, just kidding glad you are putting it right.

 

[Photon440]

That's great news, vetteman. Must be nice to have the facilities right at hand.