Z Bar question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

faribran · 03-13-2009, 01:29 AM

Can anyone post a pic of Z bar set up in SBC ? i am converting 67 c10 p/u from 6 cyl std shift to 283 sbc with 3 speed over-drive std shift tranny.
the original zbar and pivot ball on sbc do not align... what do i need for this conversion?

Tx Firefighter · 03-13-2009, 06:17 AM

There should be a threaded hole on your block that is inline with the z-bar. You need a screw in pivot ball to go in that hole. They came on some GM cars from the 60's.

Note, this applies to someone doing a swap from 6 cylinder to V8 and not moving the engine forward with V8 engine stands. When you leave the original 6 cylinder stands in place, you have to go this route.

**special-K** · 03-13-2009, 08:14 AM

There are different offset brackets (plates) to locate the pivot on various models...I6/V8/4wd/2wd.Sorry,no pics.

**chev-obsession** · 03-14-2009, 01:04 AM

i had that same problem when i swaped mine and i know it sounds weird but the ONLY way that i could get it in there was to put the ball into the z-bar and tighten it up with a pair of channel locks. i can take a picture tommorw

faribran · 03-14-2009, 09:00 AM

that sounds great Chev Obsession

faribran · 03-14-2009, 09:01 AM

Tx firefighter.. thanks for the info...we moved the engine towers forward for the v8.

airdale94 · 03-14-2009, 04:59 PM

If you moved the engine forward what you need is a flat piece that bolts in both holes on the block then the ball stud bolts in the middle of the plate. You could probably fab one out of some 1/4" flat stock.

faribran · 03-14-2009, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airdale94

If you moved the engine forward what you need is a flat piece that bolts in both holes on the block then the ball stud bolts in the middle of the plate. You could probably fab one out of some 1/4" flat stock.

Airdale... this is exactly what i plan to do if no one comes up with a factory bracket.... then my concern is how much the clutch rod from pedal to z bar needs to modified....
thanks

**Green Machine** · 03-14-2009, 06:56 PM

Here's 2 pics of our stock setup on our 68. It has the offset clutch rod and zbar. Notice the frame braket sits to the outside of the frame. There is a braket that mounts to the block.

As I mentioned in my reply to your other post, our 70 frame bracket that was a 6 cyl, mounts to the inside of the frame and required a shorter zbar and a straight clutch rod, engine bracket is the same. As noted, the parts from a 67 V8 donor truck fit perfect without changing the frame braket. Sorry the 70 is not here right now or I would get some pics of that. Just got the 68 out of storage today, so had a chance to get some pics. Hope this helps you out.

GM

faribran · 03-14-2009, 09:45 PM

GREEN MACHINE you are the man...
yes.. those are the pics i am looking for....... this tells me how much of a curve the pedal shaft has.... very good... now i just need to find one..
or fabricate..
thanks

**chev-obsession** · 03-15-2009, 02:00 PM

i had this exact same problem about a year ago. its not a fun or easy task but it has to be done. my truck originally had a 6 cylinder and i converted it over to a v-8. i cant remember which z-bar i used but it is straight with no bends. and you use the 6 cylinder pedal rod that goes through the fire wall. here are somr pics if its any help

**Green Machine** · 03-15-2009, 02:34 PM

Glad chev-o posted those pics, those pic show the parts we used on our 70. Notice the difference in the frame brackets from the pics I posted of our 68 ?

Looks like chev-obsession mounted the V8 in the rear position, as a ball stud just screws into the block. If mounted forward, the bracket on the block will be needed. You can see in the pics, the front hole has the stud installed and the rear hole is open, the bracket mounts to those holes with a ball in between.

Edit - found some parts we had here - The bracket at the bottom is likely what you will need, just have the ball welded solid on the back side, it will likely be loose. The top z-bar is the offset style which we want to put on the 70 for header clearance, but it won't fit unless we change the frame braket, you need the straight one like chev-o posted, or drill out the frame rivets and use the matching frame bracket and the offset bar. Notice how the engine bracket repositions the ball, that is how far the V8 mounts sits the engine farther forward.

faribran · 03-15-2009, 07:54 PM

CHEV and GREENMACHINE.. you guys are the bomb.... this is why i love this site....
Chev... yes, i would guess your engine is mounted in the rear mounts, since the front most swivel stud lines up..... I went looking at some old trucks today.. got lucky.. found the EXACT engine pivot braket that Green Machine has a pic of..... i bought this bracket the z bar and the dogleg clutch rod...
after looking at my setup i think i can use the 6 cyl, straight clutch rod... i will use the engine bracket that places the Pivot ball just across from the frame mount.. and yes, my frame mount is to the inside of the frame(as you mentioned)..
This will get me thru this hurdle and on to the next...i plan to keep the 3 on the tree shift... so i will modify the shift rods, since this is an overdrive tranny from a 67 chevelle wagon.. this part shouldnt be so bad....
Again, thank you guys....i had no idea chevy had used different methods to mount a zbar..
Rich

faribran · 03-15-2009, 07:59 PM

Also... i did notice the pivot stud on the bracket does wiggle a bit... do you think i should run a bead around it on the backside?

**Green Machine** · 03-15-2009, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green Machine

The bracket at the bottom is likely what you will need, just have the ball welded solid on the back side, it will likely be loose.

Great - hope you have a combo that works ! Now, we need that frame bracket that sets to outside like out 68 has to put on the 70, is there any way you could get that bracket from the donor truck for me ? I thought you would need it, but if you don't and the donor has the bracket that offsets to the outside of the frame, we could sure use one. Thanks.

pritch · 03-15-2009, 10:27 PM

Green Machine-are you talking about this bracket?

I may have an extra.

**Green Machine** · 03-15-2009, 10:51 PM

Pritch, I don't want to jack his thread, but the bracket in your pic is the one we have, original to the 6 popper setup. Check my post # 9, thats what we need.

**chev-obsession** · 03-15-2009, 10:57 PM

faribran- thats not a problem i took as many pics for you as i could since it would seem the more the better. i forgot that you moved the engine forward so you might be able to use the dog leg pedal rod. good luck with your clutch linkage!

faribran · 03-16-2009, 05:55 PM

Chev... thanks again...

Green Machine... i will see what i can do... the engine is out of the truck... the only catch is.. the truck is back in the woods at the owners place... not sure if he has compressed air for an air chisel or cut-off wheel.. i plan to go back soon to buy some wheels from this guy... i will see what he as available to assist in removing... if the donor vehicle was here(at my place) i would zip it off and have it in the mail to you tomorrow.... let me see what i can do.
Rich

03-13-2009, 01:29 AM	#1
faribran Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: AL Posts: 1,828	Z Bar question Can anyone post a pic of Z bar set up in SBC ? i am converting 67 c10 p/u from 6 cyl std shift to 283 sbc with 3 speed over-drive std shift tranny. the original zbar and pivot ball on sbc do not align... what do i need for this conversion? __________________ "

03-13-2009, 06:17 AM	#2
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: Z Bar question There should be a threaded hole on your block that is inline with the z-bar. You need a screw in pivot ball to go in that hole. They came on some GM cars from the 60's. Note, this applies to someone doing a swap from 6 cylinder to V8 and not moving the engine forward with V8 engine stands. When you leave the original 6 cylinder stands in place, you have to go this route. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

03-13-2009, 08:14 AM	#3
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,862	Re: Z Bar question There are different offset brackets (plates) to locate the pivot on various models...I6/V8/4wd/2wd.Sorry,no pics. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

03-14-2009, 01:04 AM	#4
chev-obsession Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: kennewick, WA Posts: 1,472	Re: Z Bar question i had that same problem when i swaped mine and i know it sounds weird but the ONLY way that i could get it in there was to put the ball into the z-bar and tighten it up with a pair of channel locks. i can take a picture tommorw

03-14-2009, 09:00 AM	#5
faribran Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: AL Posts: 1,828	Re: Z Bar question that sounds great Chev Obsession __________________ "

03-14-2009, 09:01 AM	#6
faribran Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: AL Posts: 1,828	Re: Z Bar question Tx firefighter.. thanks for the info...we moved the engine towers forward for the v8. __________________ "

03-14-2009, 04:59 PM	#7
airdale94 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Topeka,KS Posts: 778	Re: Z Bar question If you moved the engine forward what you need is a flat piece that bolts in both holes on the block then the ball stud bolts in the middle of the plate. You could probably fab one out of some 1/4" flat stock.

03-14-2009, 06:56 PM	#9
Green Machine Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Estherville, Iowa Posts: 3,371	Re: Z Bar question Here's 2 pics of our stock setup on our 68. It has the offset clutch rod and zbar. Notice the frame braket sits to the outside of the frame. There is a braket that mounts to the block. As I mentioned in my reply to your other post, our 70 frame bracket that was a 6 cyl, mounts to the inside of the frame and required a shorter zbar and a straight clutch rod, engine bracket is the same. As noted, the parts from a 67 V8 donor truck fit perfect without changing the frame braket. Sorry the 70 is not here right now or I would get some pics of that. Just got the 68 out of storage today, so had a chance to get some pics. Hope this helps you out. GM Attached Images __________________ 1968 C10 307 3spd Long Fleet ------ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=201103 1970 C10 305 Super T10 Long Fleet --- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=202285 1971 C20 383 TH350 Dana Posi ----- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=206894 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 C3 6.0

03-14-2009, 09:45 PM	#10
faribran Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: AL Posts: 1,828	Re: Z Bar question GREEN MACHINE you are the man... yes.. those are the pics i am looking for....... this tells me how much of a curve the pedal shaft has.... very good... now i just need to find one.. or fabricate.. thanks __________________ "

03-15-2009, 02:00 PM	#11
chev-obsession Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: kennewick, WA Posts: 1,472	Re: Z Bar question i had this exact same problem about a year ago. its not a fun or easy task but it has to be done. my truck originally had a 6 cylinder and i converted it over to a v-8. i cant remember which z-bar i used but it is straight with no bends. and you use the 6 cylinder pedal rod that goes through the fire wall. here are somr pics if its any help

03-15-2009, 02:34 PM	#12
Green Machine Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Estherville, Iowa Posts: 3,371	Re: Z Bar question Glad chev-o posted those pics, those pic show the parts we used on our 70. Notice the difference in the frame brackets from the pics I posted of our 68 ? Looks like chev-obsession mounted the V8 in the rear position, as a ball stud just screws into the block. If mounted forward, the bracket on the block will be needed. You can see in the pics, the front hole has the stud installed and the rear hole is open, the bracket mounts to those holes with a ball in between. Edit - found some parts we had here - The bracket at the bottom is likely what you will need, just have the ball welded solid on the back side, it will likely be loose. The top z-bar is the offset style which we want to put on the 70 for header clearance, but it won't fit unless we change the frame braket, you need the straight one like chev-o posted, or drill out the frame rivets and use the matching frame bracket and the offset bar. Notice how the engine bracket repositions the ball, that is how far the V8 mounts sits the engine farther forward. Attached Images __________________ 1968 C10 307 3spd Long Fleet ------ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=201103 1970 C10 305 Super T10 Long Fleet --- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=202285 1971 C20 383 TH350 Dana Posi ----- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=206894 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 C3 6.0 Last edited by Green Machine; 03-15-2009 at 02:45 PM.

03-15-2009, 07:54 PM	#13
faribran Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: AL Posts: 1,828	Re: Z Bar question CHEV and GREENMACHINE.. you guys are the bomb.... this is why i love this site.... Chev... yes, i would guess your engine is mounted in the rear mounts, since the front most swivel stud lines up..... I went looking at some old trucks today.. got lucky.. found the EXACT engine pivot braket that Green Machine has a pic of..... i bought this bracket the z bar and the dogleg clutch rod... after looking at my setup i think i can use the 6 cyl, straight clutch rod... i will use the engine bracket that places the Pivot ball just across from the frame mount.. and yes, my frame mount is to the inside of the frame(as you mentioned).. This will get me thru this hurdle and on to the next...i plan to keep the 3 on the tree shift... so i will modify the shift rods, since this is an overdrive tranny from a 67 chevelle wagon.. this part shouldnt be so bad.... Again, thank you guys....i had no idea chevy had used different methods to mount a zbar.. Rich __________________ "

03-15-2009, 07:59 PM	#14
faribran Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: AL Posts: 1,828	Re: Z Bar question Also... i did notice the pivot stud on the bracket does wiggle a bit... do you think i should run a bead around it on the backside? __________________ "

03-15-2009, 10:27 PM	#16
pritch Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hoytsville, Utah Posts: 3,365	Re: Z Bar question Green Machine-are you talking about this bracket? I may have an extra. __________________ '68 Panel Project Boogie Chillin' '68 C-10 Ol' Green

03-15-2009, 10:51 PM	#17
Green Machine Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Estherville, Iowa Posts: 3,371	Re: Z Bar question Pritch, I don't want to jack his thread, but the bracket in your pic is the one we have, original to the 6 popper setup. Check my post # 9, thats what we need. __________________ 1968 C10 307 3spd Long Fleet ------ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=201103 1970 C10 305 Super T10 Long Fleet --- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=202285 1971 C20 383 TH350 Dana Posi ----- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=206894 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 C3 6.0



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03-15-2009, 10:57 PM	#18
chev-obsession Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: kennewick, WA Posts: 1,472	Re: Z Bar question faribran- thats not a problem i took as many pics for you as i could since it would seem the more the better. i forgot that you moved the engine forward so you might be able to use the dog leg pedal rod. good luck with your clutch linkage!

03-16-2009, 05:55 PM	#19
faribran Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: AL Posts: 1,828	Re: Z Bar question Chev... thanks again... Green Machine... i will see what i can do... the engine is out of the truck... the only catch is.. the truck is back in the woods at the owners place... not sure if he has compressed air for an air chisel or cut-off wheel.. i plan to go back soon to buy some wheels from this guy... i will see what he as available to assist in removing... if the donor vehicle was here(at my place) i would zip it off and have it in the mail to you tomorrow.... let me see what i can do. Rich __________________ "

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