I am putting in a manual tranny and a new engine. I will actually drop them in tomorrow night or Wednesday, depending on this: Is there anything I HAVE to wait until the engine is in to hook up, like the Z-bar and stuff? Or, is there anything I HAVE to do with the engine out? I appreciate any tips since I'm pretty clueless on this...thanks!

It would be eaiser to install the z-bar Bracket to the fram with the engine out. But you need the engine In to put the z-bar in. You could try installing the tranny on the engine first since its a lot eaiser to work outside of the car.

The only thing I can think of that should be done prior to dropping in the engine and transmission are the Z-bar bracket. On my 70 the holes for it were already on the frame (though it took me forever to find them due to road grime (there should be a previous post by me about locating them). Aside from that, as Adman mentioned, I would second the transmission being installed onto the engine outside the car, made it a lot easier for me. To install the Z-bar I connected it to the frame bracket as well as to the clutch pedal rod (so it stays in position), and then when the engine/trans was almost all the way, I just pushed the engine to the side and slid the z-bar over the block ball stud.

I just got finished doing this conversion (took it on it's maiden 4-speed voyage this past weekend) so everything is still fresh in my mind, if you need anything, just email me (balson@me.queensu.ca)!

Brad

Can you tell me where on the frame the bracket goes? Just whereabouts, I can probably find some holes for it then.

Taylor,
ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL 68-72 frames have the 2 holes punched in them for the bracket. As already, mentioned, it is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much easier to install the 2 bolts in this bracket when the engine is out. The 2 holes are ON TOP of the frame, down below the brake booster. Trust me, even though you may have trouble finding them, they're there. The correct bolts are self threading bolts. If you do not have these 2 bolts, they are already on your car in another location. Down on the inside of your frame there is another bracket for the auto tranny shifter linkage (unless your car is a factory floor shift automatic). When all the auto shift linkage is removed, you can use these 2 bolts for the Z-bar bracket.
To install these 2 bolts, with the engine out, just insert a bolt through the bracket and intot the hole. As you turn the bolt with a wrench, apply a lot of down force until the threads finall catch. Once the threads finally start to catch, the bolt will screw right on down.

Thanks guys.

I didn't get the engine in tonight. Just not enough time, but tomorrow for sure (the engine is completely assembled). But, I will have to wait for my dad to get home and help me, at like 2:30 or 3. I hate to be idle all day though in the engine compartment. Is there anything at all I could be doing in the engine compartment? I do have the bracket on the frame on there (it was pretty easy, and I had a clean frame to spot the holes right away.) Anyway I appreciate all the help and tips...thanks.