Tried installing the z-bar on my 68 today, (Auto-->Manual conversion). I have the diagram below on how it goes together. I noticed that the ball stud on the engine side does not sit flush with the block, There is still about 1.5 threads showing. The flat portion of the ball stud is not seated on the block. Also, how do you put it togther. I tried to put it on with the ball stud in the block and the bracket on the frame, then slide in the z-bar, but it just would not fit. Could that 1.5 threads be causing the hangup?
http://img197.exs.cx/img197/988/p32100820hg.jpg

It SHOULD go together-as shown in the diagram. Is it possible that the hole in the block is NOT deep enough? Stick "something" in the hole and compare the depth with the length of the stud. You can prob. drill and tap to fix that. The "fit" of the entire assembly should be snug, but not tight. On my car, it is like that but it is an orig. stick car. I don't think you want much free-play in the Z-bar when pulling on the stick at high RPM!

Assuming you have the correct ball stud, it should tighten up all the way to the block. It sounds like this may be causing your problem. I installed one of these the other day in a '70 Chevelle and it wen't together without issue.

sounds good. I thought i cleaned it out pretty good, but do to the fact that this hole has never been used before, i'm sure that there is a good amount of crud in there, i'll check it out tomorrow

chase the hole with a tap, and try 'er again!

make sure you have the correct Z-bar.someone had put one for the A-body style on mine before i bought it, broke the frame braket twice.before a friend pointed it out to me. B-body Z-bar has the bends on the arms. i don't know much just thought i'd throw that in here.

chase the hole with a tap, and try 'er again!
That's what I did, and I had the same problem. Ballstud sits flush now, and everything fits together.

Isn't this diagram missing a snap ring? On one side of my Z Bar I see a race for a bit of a snap ring that came with it.

Its the 3rd part in from the left of the frame tab

So the small ball will fit all the way into the bar? Also, are there no bushings on the block ball side?

The two plastic inserts on each side of the 'small ball' for a cup around the ball. There should be a slight lip on the inside of the z-bar so the first plastic retainer insert doesn't slide all the way down, insert ball, insert second retainer insert