I have never really installed a z-bar before so i was hoping to get some help. The car is a 65 chevelle and the motor is a 1978 454. I have the z-bar, i believe it came off a small block, but does that matter? The z-bar has one ball with the small threads on one end, and the other end is open. I bought a new ball setup for it, and I screwed a ball into the block right above the oil filter. I then (with much effort) slipped the open end of the z-bar (after greasing), over the ball that I screwed into the block. I then lowered the threaded end of the other ball into a grooved bracket on the frame, and slipped a nut on the other side and tightened. The z-bar does NOT fit perfectly perpendicular to the motor. The ball that I screwed into the block sits back, probably about 2 inches (guessing). Does this sound about right?? I then hooked up a clutch return spring from the clutch fork to a hole in the center of the z-bar. I don't know where else to hook it! The spring is from ground up and I think it was the 67-69 return spring (not sure)

I don't want to put a lot of strain on it if this is wrong. Thanks to all on this helpful board for any responses

thanks
Joe

Joe,

The Z-bar should be perpendicular to the engine. If it's not, you're going to have a lot of excess strain on all the parts. My guess is that the bracket on the frame is not welded in the right spot. The spring you installed is connected correctly but it is not a return spring. It's there to keep the push rod from the Z-bar to the fork in place. The pedal return spring connects from the upper arm of the Z-bar to an "L" shaped bracket welded to the underside of the floorboard. The Big Block Z-bar is definitely different than the small block one. The lower arm on the BB Z-bar has bend in it (Kinda like your knee) as viewed from the end of the tube for clearance around the oil pressure fitting which is right over the oil filter pad. I'll try to take a couple of photos tonight and post them here for your reference.

Dave

Dave,
I would thank you for those pictures. The car came with no engine, but I believe it had a small block in it before I got it. Is there a diagram anywhere that shows this complete setup? Also, does the fact that I put a 454 big block in this car change the required location of the bracket on the frame? Man, I hope not...that would be a real PITA to relocate. How perpendicular is it suppose to be? Exactly 90 degrees? About the springs, are you saying I need to have a spring running from the upper z-bar arm by the prop. valve all the way under the car to the driver's floorboards? How long of a spring is that?

I am guessing I need to get another z-bar...
Can I just buy one for any chevelle 64-72 with a big block????

thanks a lot

Joe

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1965 Chevelle SS

[This message has been edited by fusion_ta66 (edited 09-19-2001).]

There should be a small bracket on the lower firewall just below the steering column,that your return spring from the z-bar runs to.

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CFR.

Here are some photo's:

Z-Bar1 (http://home.comcast.net/~bates150/images/dad/zbar1.jpg)
Z-Bar2 (http://home.comcast.net/~bates150/images/dad/zbar2.jpg)
Z-Bar3 (http://home.comcast.net/~bates150/images/dad/zbar3.jpg)
Z-BarSpring1 (http://home.comcast.net/~bates150/images/dad/zbarspring1.jpg)
Z-BarSpring2 (http://home.comcast.net/~bates150/images/dad/zbarspring2.jpg)

The return spring is about 9" long. Excuse the dusty/dirty underside, I've been driving it a lot. Hope they help.

Dave

[This message has been edited by David_Bates (edited 09-19-2001).]

[This message has been edited by David_Bates (edited 05-25-2002).]

dave,
thank you very much for the pictures. I can see now where you were referring to with the springs. Can you answer me this: Since my 65 chevelle had a small block in it before I had it (I think, i got the car with no motor), will I have to re-weld the bracket for the z-bar so it lines up perpendicular? Thank you very much!

Joe

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1965 Chevelle SS

I would say yes to relocating the bracket. It would lead me to believe that it was never installed in the right place to begin with. Small block/big block, should be located in the same place. The 1965 assembly manual has the proper location pointed out. I'll try to scan the page and post it later this evening.

Dave

Dave, you are very helpful, thank you. I was wondering why the bracket would be in the same spot for both small and big block cars. Doesn't a big block sit further back in the engine compartment a bit?

Thanks again
Joe

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1965 Chevelle SS

I just thought of something...maybe I have the ball screwed into the block at the incorrect location? Can anyone give me a simple diagram? I screwed the ball directly into the block, above and to the left of the oil filter. I remember there were a lot of threads around there....maybe I got the wrong one. On a related note, should I have to use an adapter to put my oil filter sending unit in, in the same area?

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1965 Chevelle SS

The big block does not sit farther back than the small block, or at least it shouldn't!