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Backwards Z bar? Dyslexic Bubba?

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Old Mar 18, 2016 | 09:03 PM
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Default Backwards Z bar? Dyslexic Bubba?

1968 NOM BB. was originally an automatic. now a 4 speedName:  IMG_0649.jpg
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First pic is z bar next to engine. the return spring is mounted thru a hole in the z bar and the other end connected to the frame. 2nd pic is the pedal linkage connected to the z bar. No hole for return spring and obviouls no spring. Z bar needs to be flipped?Name:  IMG_0650.JPG
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Old Mar 18, 2016 | 11:12 PM
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Here's a pic of my Z bar installation on my 68. I installed mine as per the diagram in the AIM.


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Old Mar 19, 2016 | 01:27 AM
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The large spring (533741) is the clutch pedal return spring; which should be in the hole under the linkage adjustment swivel on the Z bar and the other end of that spring attaches to the hole in bracket on the firewall. You should have 2 smaller anti-rattle springs (531378) on the other end linkage rod (532749) that connects from the Z Bar to the clutch fork (532751) in the bell housing.
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Could it possibly be installed backwards?
If it is, welcome to the Bubba Club!

Last edited by babbah; Mar 19, 2016 at 02:03 AM.
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Old Mar 19, 2016 | 07:36 AM
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pltmgr - It's hard to see, but in your first picture (spring attached to frame), there appears to be a hole roughly half way up the Z-bar arm. On your second picture, it looks like another small hole right under the clutch linkage.

If you look at the AIM picture above, they should be reversed - I believe the PO did indeed get the bar installed backwards.
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Old Mar 19, 2016 | 08:56 AM
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Hi,
I think the bar is installed correctly.
The 'arm' that is pointed up should have the spring mounting hole in it's center, and it does. The arm has been modified in some way though.
The arm that is pointed 'down' should have the hole for the sporing near the hole for the linkage, and it does but the return sprang was installed rather than one of the anti-rattle springs.
I think s56's picture shows the correct arm orientation and spring installation.
Regards,
Alan

Upper arm and return spring.


Lower arm and anti-rattle springs.

Last edited by Alan 71; Mar 19, 2016 at 09:04 AM. Reason: 18.photobucket.com/albums/cc302/Alan6589/Alan%206589%20Chassis/DSC_0583-1.jpg[/IMG]
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Old Mar 19, 2016 | 09:01 AM
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Hi Alan - On taking second look, I now think I have to agree. Looking closer at the second pic, I can see a faint hole midway up - that escaped me before. That does indicate it is oriented correctly.

pltmgr - apologies if I misled.
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Old Mar 20, 2016 | 06:14 PM
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Your Z bar appears to be a little different to the other ones pictured. The peddle connection arm looks like it has had a brace welded to the rear and your adjuster is mounted on the rag joint side of the arm and not the outer side as in the other pictures.
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Old Mar 20, 2016 | 06:53 PM
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Bad eyesight, some grease, and the misplaced return spring had Bubba leading me astray. Thanks to the Corvette Forum I'm heading back to the straight and narrow. Yea the Z bar is not stock. My pedal connection rod looks a little bent as well. As I originally stated the vehicle was a automatic, engine is a NOM. The return spring Bubba had installed was too large to fit were its supposed to go so I ordered the correct spring plus the anti rattle ones. Hopefully they will fit.
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Old Mar 20, 2016 | 07:04 PM
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Hi pltm,
It appears to me that the clutch pedal rod 'link' that connects the rod to the arm isn't installed in the typical way.
Look carefully at Sully's and my pictures.
Did the modification to the arm force that installation and the bend in the rod?
Regards,
Alan

Last edited by Alan 71; Mar 20, 2016 at 07:08 PM.
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Old Mar 21, 2016 | 09:46 AM
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I doubt a set of new springs will fix your issue. You should have a good look at that z-bar, which maybe should be replaced, and have a good look at the clutch fork. It's common to find a generic Chevrolet clutch fork on a transmission that has been rebuilt, etc., in a Corvette, when in fact the Corvette clutch fork is application specific. The generic fork will throw off the geometry of the linkage, and people will do all kinds of things to get it to work properly (except order the proper parts, it seems). I ran into a similar issue on my 70 when I first got it.
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