Balls - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Bernie** · 12-02-2003, 11:30 PM

I'm changing from an automatic to a 4 speed on a k20 with a 350. I now have the correct Z bar (Thanks Ernie ) and I bought all the balls etc from LMC. My problem is this: the LMC picture doesn't show any sort of nylon seat for where the ball that screws into the block fits into the Z bar and yet the ball goes inside the bar and feels pretty loose. Is this how it should be ? Do I need a bushing or a bigger ball ?

Class of 69 · 12-03-2003, 12:22 AM

There are felt washers that go on the balls and fit into the pipe. It helps hold it better, but it is really to retain the grease in side the tube. The tube should have a grease fitting in it. After all is assembled, fill the tube with grease, and it will be quite smooth and firm.

**Bernie** · 12-03-2003, 01:45 AM

I tried that, but it still seems too loose. There is a beveled edge on the inside of the Z bar that seems intended to fit around the ball on the block. This has about 1/8 of play in it. Did they make different size balls ?

JimKshortstep4x4 · 12-03-2003, 07:33 AM

Bernie,

I measured the ball that was on a 72 350 2wd and the OD is .857-.860. The wear on the ball appears to be minimal, but I am not sure of the original dimension. It fits very nicely into the z-bar with minimal play. Movement is just discernable.

It sounds like you have way too much play in your setup!

Jim

**Bernie** · 12-03-2003, 12:05 PM

Thanks both for your replies. I did some measuring. The ball from LMC is around 0.870 diameter. The internal diameter of the tube of the Z bar is 0.002 or 0.003 more than that. Does the ball go right inside the tube, so that the grease would take up the difference, or should it ride on the chamfered end of the tube ?

bpmcgee · 12-03-2003, 01:19 PM

Bernie,

The ball slides all the way up the tube. When everything is in place, the tube will be just about touching the block -- down to the flange on the ball stud.

I just recently used the LMC ball stud on my 71 4x4, and had no problems at all. There's nothing on the block end of the z-bar except the ball stud. The felt and everything only goes on the frame end of the z-bar. If you want to convince yourself of this, notice that the flange is as big around as the ball. Therefore, you can't put anything on from that end that will fit AROUND the ball. My buddies '76, on the other hand, DOES have felt and stuff on that end, and there is a much smaller flange at the bottom of the stud.

Brian

**Bernie** · 12-03-2003, 11:33 PM

Thanks to all. I have it resolved. Bernie

12-02-2003, 11:30 PM	#1
Bernie Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 516	Balls I'm changing from an automatic to a 4 speed on a k20 with a 350. I now have the correct Z bar (Thanks Ernie ) and I bought all the balls etc from LMC. My problem is this: the LMC picture doesn't show any sort of nylon seat for where the ball that screws into the block fits into the Z bar and yet the ball goes inside the bar and feels pretty loose. Is this how it should be ? Do I need a bushing or a bigger ball ? __________________ Bernie

12-03-2003, 12:22 AM	#2
Class of 69 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Stillwater MN Posts: 1,166	There are felt washers that go on the balls and fit into the pipe. It helps hold it better, but it is really to retain the grease in side the tube. The tube should have a grease fitting in it. After all is assembled, fill the tube with grease, and it will be quite smooth and firm. __________________ 69 GMC K10 ..some restoration required....still..

12-03-2003, 01:45 AM	#3
Bernie Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 516	I tried that, but it still seems too loose. There is a beveled edge on the inside of the Z bar that seems intended to fit around the ball on the block. This has about 1/8 of play in it. Did they make different size balls ? __________________ Bernie

12-03-2003, 12:05 PM	#5
Bernie Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 516	Thanks both for your replies. I did some measuring. The ball from LMC is around 0.870 diameter. The internal diameter of the tube of the Z bar is 0.002 or 0.003 more than that. Does the ball go right inside the tube, so that the grease would take up the difference, or should it ride on the chamfered end of the tube ? __________________ Bernie

12-03-2003, 11:33 PM	#7
Bernie Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 516	Thanks to all. I have it resolved. Bernie __________________ Bernie

12-03-2003, 07:33 AM	#4
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Bernie, I measured the ball that was on a 72 350 2wd and the OD is .857-.860. The wear on the ball appears to be minimal, but I am not sure of the original dimension. It fits very nicely into the z-bar with minimal play. Movement is just discernable. It sounds like you have way too much play in your setup! Jim

12-03-2003, 01:19 PM	#6
bpmcgee Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 2,181	Bernie, The ball slides all the way up the tube. When everything is in place, the tube will be just about touching the block -- down to the flange on the ball stud. I just recently used the LMC ball stud on my 71 4x4, and had no problems at all. There's nothing on the block end of the z-bar except the ball stud. The felt and everything only goes on the frame end of the z-bar. If you want to convince yourself of this, notice that the flange is as big around as the ball. Therefore, you can't put anything on from that end that will fit AROUND the ball. My buddies '76, on the other hand, DOES have felt and stuff on that end, and there is a much smaller flange at the bottom of the stud. Brian



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