Z BAR DIFFERENCES?
Drifting
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 1,807
Likes: 28
From: CA central coast
Re: Z BAR DIFFERENCES? (fcabarle)
You need to define this part better... there is no bellcrank on a midyear, there is a pitman arm (on steering box) and an idler arm (opposite side of the frame across from the steering box), both connected to a relay rod (bar) which in turn is connected to tie rods.
If you mean the relay rod, there are three versions, one with provisions for attaching to a power steering cylinder (has one fat end with a slot/hole on the side), and the other two are non-power steering relay rods: one has a damper (shock absorber) bracket at it's center and is used with non-p/s small blocks; the other does not have a damper, is used with big blocks, and was carried over into at least the mid-70's. Some people have removed the damper from their non-p/s small block cars and say they couldn't tell the difference in handling. It's possible the rod itself was the same for non-p/s cars (I'm not sure), because the damper version shipped as an assembly with the damper attached... but I suspect either of these will "fit" any non-p/s midyear.
If you mean the relay rod, there are three versions, one with provisions for attaching to a power steering cylinder (has one fat end with a slot/hole on the side), and the other two are non-power steering relay rods: one has a damper (shock absorber) bracket at it's center and is used with non-p/s small blocks; the other does not have a damper, is used with big blocks, and was carried over into at least the mid-70's. Some people have removed the damper from their non-p/s small block cars and say they couldn't tell the difference in handling. It's possible the rod itself was the same for non-p/s cars (I'm not sure), because the damper version shipped as an assembly with the damper attached... but I suspect either of these will "fit" any non-p/s midyear.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 548
Likes: 1
From: Woodstock GA
Re: Z BAR DIFFERENCES? (fcabarle)
good question.
other than the obvious different due to engine block size, i looked at a couple of the parts catalogs and i think the differences are in the anti-rattle spring set up.
the '63 has one spring, and it looks like the '64-'67 has two springs. i own a '63 with one spring, so i can't vouch for the two-spring set up.
maybe a non-'63 owner has more info....
other than the obvious different due to engine block size, i looked at a couple of the parts catalogs and i think the differences are in the anti-rattle spring set up.
the '63 has one spring, and it looks like the '64-'67 has two springs. i own a '63 with one spring, so i can't vouch for the two-spring set up.
maybe a non-'63 owner has more info....
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 123
Likes: 1
From: Mt. Holly NJ
Re: Z BAR DIFFERENCES? (waynec)
I'm talking about the bellcrank, usually called the Z bar, that is attached on one side by a frame mount and the other to the side of the engine. There is a ball pivot on each end of the Z bar.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,925
From: Washington Michigan
Re: Z BAR DIFFERENCES? (fcabarle)
There were some subtle differences in the angular relationship between the upper and lower levers over the years both between different years of SB's and between SB and BB in certain years, but I haven't researched it. Most of the resto houses just sell two - one for '63-'65 SB's, and one for '65-'67 BB, '66-'67 SB, and all '68-'81. The differences really only matter in that you also need the matching lower pushrod to the clutch fork with each one, and there are three of those. :thumbs:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 883
Likes: 2
From: Hilton Head SC
Re: Z BAR DIFFERENCES? (JohnZ)
John, You wouldn't happen to know the three lengths, would you? One of the mysteries of my '64 that I have not yet gotten into is that the clutch adjustment is at the very end of the pedal push rod. I always wondered if my lower rod was too short (the one on the car, that is).
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,925
From: Washington Michigan
Re: Z BAR DIFFERENCES? (JSB69)
There were three lower pushrods - the 1963-only rod with a ball at the fork end and one spring, and two rods with the flat and hole on the fork end and two anti-rattle springs; the '64-'65 pushrod was 10.2" from the center of the pin at the lever end to the center of the hole at the fork end, and the '66-'67 rod was 8.6".
There were also two different upper pushrods (Z-bar to pedal); 1963-65 (327) was 18" long overall, and 1965 396 and 1966-67 all was 19-1/4". :thumbs:
There were also two different upper pushrods (Z-bar to pedal); 1963-65 (327) was 18" long overall, and 1965 396 and 1966-67 all was 19-1/4". :thumbs:
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