Broke Clutch Linkage - Funniest thing

[javadoc]

I had a friend visiting me, on his way to a car meet at Carlisle, PA and on Saturday night, we were driving the '64 down into town to get a new battery for it. Well, I pull into the parts store and press the clutch pedal to shift into second. This maneuver is followed by a loud snapping sound, and my foot falling to the floorboards with no resistance.

Ends up that the rod which connects between the pedal and the Z-bar actually snapped, at the Z-bar. In fairness, it was getting pretty worn at the z-bar fitting end.

What ensued was pure hilarity while my friend and I (he actually works for a guy, helping him restore old cars in Alameda, CA) drove around without a clutch, planning each turn so that we wouldn't have to stop. When we did have to stop, he'd have to jump out, get the truck rolling a few mph before the shifter would slide into 2nd... jump in and off we go. We were laughing so hard he had trouble jumping into the truck once. Of course, the wife had called and needed EIGHT slushies from Sonic for a house full of guests, and by golly I wasn't going to let Mrs. Javadoc down (or admit defeat, dang it)! I have never had such a great time nursing a broken car around town! I had wanted to take my V70R on the errand, and while it would've gotten us there and back, and it's fun, it would have paled in comparison to the great time it was. I'm glad I have the old truck, even when it breaks.

At any rate, I'm trying to find a source for this broken shift linkage. I might as well replace the part that goes to the shift fork too, because that one's looking worn. Does anyone know where to get these two items?

Thanks!

Scott

[rickf]

If you want to take the "Repair, Not Replace" approach, then you can take your existing linkage rod (measure carefully) and cut off a suitable amount, then thread it, and put on a rod-end bearing. It will probably operate smoother than the original, the rod is plenty stout to give up a little strength to the threads, and when the rod-end wears the repair is a simple bolt on replacement.

For the bottom linkage, the part back at the forks is a substantial chunk of iron. It is probably fine. It is the part in the Z bar that wears, and it is replaceable. Probably you can get it at a GM dealer, certainly you can get it from the various suppliers for our trucks, I got one a year ago off the shelf at "Dan's Classic Auto" in Portland OR.

[billydonn]

Brothers has a clutch rod replacement kit with heim joints. Also available from:

http://cmc.speeddirect.com/items.asp...atus=0&Tp=&Bc=

I think you can also get the stock replacement parts from Brothers and other sources.

[LILRED66]

Good story...very funny. I replied to your request on Parts for Sale. Good luck with the search.

[ChiefRocka]

I was just going to reply on using the heims joints, but they beat me too it.

I did that as well to the Chief when I first went thru it. It was worn about 90% of the way, ready to snap.

So I cut and threaded the shaft on both ends (pedal and Z-bar side).

Picked up some 3/8" fine-threaded heims and lock nuts.

I figure it lasted 45 years, so now it should outlast me.
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There are pics on my build thread if you need

[javadoc]

Originally Posted by billydonn

Brothers has a clutch rod replacement kit with heim joints. Also available from:

http://cmc.speeddirect.com/items.asp...atus=0&Tp=&Bc=

I think you can also get the stock replacement parts from Brothers and other sources.

Cool, thanks. How do I know if I have a long or short upper rod?

[soba_03]

Hey did you ever get them wheels put on? Post up a pic... Love to see them on a pickup....

Hope all is well...

[billydonn]

Javadoc:
One of the "more info" links at speed direct says: "We have had customers with different lengths of upper pushrods (form the pedal to the Z-bar) for the 1963-66 models. Please measure yours (or the length you need) before ordering. Standard kits come with an upper rod that is about 10-13" long, while other kits come with upper rods 19-21" long. Please specify if you have the longer one."

[javadoc]

Originally Posted by soba_03

Hey did you ever get them wheels put on? Post up a pic... Love to see them on a pickup....

Hope all is well...

I did, and they look great! I was going to put up pics after i put the new suspension on, and some other bits. However, the basement project takes priority. I'll send you something though.

Billy, I saw the 'more info' part after I posted my question... dunce that I am.