Desperately seeking a bellcrank (Z-bar) for my 1968 GMC C15 with a SBC 350 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

pcunningham · 02-18-2015, 10:01 AM

Folks,

I am desperately seeking a bellcrank (Z-bar) for my 1968 GMC C15. I am in the last stages of installing a SBC 350 (casting number 638), that has two locations for the pivot ball, with a regular bell housing and clutch fork matted to a Tremec TKO-600 5-speed.

I had Classic Industries send me a bellcrank but it seems way too long. I emailed the tech's there and they are telling me:

"On the clutch bell crank assembly you ordered(Part #171130) is correct for the 1968 GMC truck with a small block 350 but looking into it this will not work with the Tremec TKO600 5 speeds you have. The bell crank assembly is mainly to work with what would have come in the vehicle originally which would have been a 4 speed transmission. Unfortunately we do not have anything that would work for that particular set up you have."

This just doesn't make any sense to me since the bellcrank assembly is only bolted to the frame and engine block and operates the clutch fork. What difference does it make which transmission I use??? It is still too long just with bolting it to the frame and engine block!! Is it me or is Classic Industries blowing smoke?

So, can anyone point me in the right direction with finding one of these for my truck?

Thank you for your assistance.

**67 cst swb** · 02-18-2015, 10:25 AM

What part is too long? the sleeve between the frame and engine or the arms that hold the rods?
this is the best image I could find quickly.
http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cb/full.aspx?Page=140

pcunningham · 02-18-2015, 10:42 AM

When I put the sleeve in the pivot ball on the engine block it will hang past the OUTSIDE of the frame to where I cannot even bolt it to any mount on the frame.

**67 cst swb** · 02-18-2015, 11:06 AM

If you measure the sleeve portion, what length is it.

edit: I thought I had access to a stock one to measure, but I don't. Maybe someone can get a stock length for you.

pcunningham · 02-18-2015, 11:19 AM

My truck was originally a I-6 250 with the three-on-the-tree. I still have that z-bar but of course it is too short for the 350 engine. The new z-bar from Classic Industries is about 2 inches longer. I'm at my job right now so I'll get the exact measurement when I get home and let you know.

Thank you.

**special-K** · 02-18-2015, 10:23 PM

Sounds like they sent you an I6 bell crank but made it sound like your bad.

sduckworth13 · 02-19-2015, 12:16 AM

I have one from a SBC with a SM465 4 speed. I just measured and it is 6 3/4 long

sduckworth13 · 02-19-2015, 12:20 AM

Here is the Z bar if this is the one you need, it's yours for $7.00 cost of shipping.

02-18-2015, 10:25 AM	#2
67 cst swb Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rapid City, SD Posts: 2,281	Re: Desperately seeking a bellcrank (Z-bar) for my 1968 GMC C15 with a SBC 350 What part is too long? the sleeve between the frame and engine or the arms that hold the rods? this is the best image I could find quickly. http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cb/full.aspx?Page=140 __________________ My Trucks: 1967 Chevrolet Short Wide Box 327 TH350 9" w/3.90 gears paint will be White - Current Project 1967 Chevrolet Custom LWB 283 TH400 3.73 Posi, no-AC, no-PS, no-PB, bench-seat, small-window - mostly orig driver 1967 Chevrolet CST LWB originally a 327 TH400 3.73 Posi AC PS PB, had Buddy Buckets, Small Window - parts truck 1967 Chevrolet CST LWB, 283 MT 3.73 had Buddy Buckets, Panoramic Window - parts truck 2001 Chevrolet 3500 2WD Crew Cab Dually 8.1L Allison White

02-18-2015, 10:42 AM	#3
pcunningham Registered User Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Brandon, Fl Posts: 10	Re: Desperately seeking a bellcrank (Z-bar) for my 1968 GMC C15 with a SBC 350 When I put the sleeve in the pivot ball on the engine block it will hang past the OUTSIDE of the frame to where I cannot even bolt it to any mount on the frame.

02-18-2015, 11:06 AM	#4
67 cst swb Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rapid City, SD Posts: 2,281	Re: Desperately seeking a bellcrank (Z-bar) for my 1968 GMC C15 with a SBC 350 If you measure the sleeve portion, what length is it. edit: I thought I had access to a stock one to measure, but I don't. Maybe someone can get a stock length for you. __________________ My Trucks: 1967 Chevrolet Short Wide Box 327 TH350 9" w/3.90 gears paint will be White - Current Project 1967 Chevrolet Custom LWB 283 TH400 3.73 Posi, no-AC, no-PS, no-PB, bench-seat, small-window - mostly orig driver 1967 Chevrolet CST LWB originally a 327 TH400 3.73 Posi AC PS PB, had Buddy Buckets, Small Window - parts truck 1967 Chevrolet CST LWB, 283 MT 3.73 had Buddy Buckets, Panoramic Window - parts truck 2001 Chevrolet 3500 2WD Crew Cab Dually 8.1L Allison White

02-18-2015, 11:19 AM	#5
pcunningham Registered User Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Brandon, Fl Posts: 10	Re: Desperately seeking a bellcrank (Z-bar) for my 1968 GMC C15 with a SBC 350 My truck was originally a I-6 250 with the three-on-the-tree. I still have that z-bar but of course it is too short for the 350 engine. The new z-bar from Classic Industries is about 2 inches longer. I'm at my job right now so I'll get the exact measurement when I get home and let you know. Thank you.

02-18-2015, 10:23 PM	#6
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,858	Re: Desperately seeking a bellcrank (Z-bar) for my 1968 GMC C15 with a SBC 350 Sounds like they sent you an I6 bell crank but made it sound like your bad. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

02-18-2015, 10:01 AM	#1
pcunningham Registered User Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Brandon, Fl Posts: 10	Desperately seeking a bellcrank (Z-bar) for my 1968 GMC C15 with a SBC 350 Folks, I am desperately seeking a bellcrank (Z-bar) for my 1968 GMC C15. I am in the last stages of installing a SBC 350 (casting number 638), that has two locations for the pivot ball, with a regular bell housing and clutch fork matted to a Tremec TKO-600 5-speed. I had Classic Industries send me a bellcrank but it seems way too long. I emailed the tech's there and they are telling me: "On the clutch bell crank assembly you ordered(Part #171130) is correct for the 1968 GMC truck with a small block 350 but looking into it this will not work with the Tremec TKO600 5 speeds you have. The bell crank assembly is mainly to work with what would have come in the vehicle originally which would have been a 4 speed transmission. Unfortunately we do not have anything that would work for that particular set up you have." This just doesn't make any sense to me since the bellcrank assembly is only bolted to the frame and engine block and operates the clutch fork. What difference does it make which transmission I use??? It is still too long just with bolting it to the frame and engine block!! Is it me or is Classic Industries blowing smoke? So, can anyone point me in the right direction with finding one of these for my truck? Thank you for your assistance.

02-19-2015, 12:16 AM	#7
sduckworth13 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Posts: 3,541	Re: Desperately seeking a bellcrank (Z-bar) for my 1968 GMC C15 with a SBC 350 I have one from a SBC with a SM465 4 speed. I just measured and it is 6 3/4 long Attached Images __________________ Scott

02-19-2015, 12:20 AM	#8
sduckworth13 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Posts: 3,541	Re: Desperately seeking a bellcrank (Z-bar) for my 1968 GMC C15 with a SBC 350 Here is the Z bar if this is the one you need, it's yours for $7.00 cost of shipping. Attached Images __________________ Scott



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