Clutch linkage problem - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

OxydizedBlue · 06-28-2009, 03:11 PM

I have a 67 GMC K20 that I am trying to piece back together. I have the original tranny and t-case, but a small 400 engine. It originally had a 6 cylinder, I was told this could have been a 305 V6 or a straight six. I found a linkage out of a straight six and it is close to fitting minus the extra spacer piece. I had to drill had tap the engine block by the oil filter, so I could put a ball stud in for the z-bar to pivot on. But ball stud does not line up with the bracket that is riveted to the frame, so i am not sure how to get my linkage to work. Any help would be great. Also any pictures of a V8 with the linkage would be helpful.

For my linkage to work without moving the frame piece I would need to move the ball stud back about 1.5 inches. So i was trying to come up with a bracket that I could bolt on to the engine that would move the ball stud back.

Thanks.
Also I am new here and cannot figure out how to upload pictures. Any help there would be also be appreciated.

PanelDeland · 06-28-2009, 06:52 PM

I had a problem like this on a truck many years ago.I used a piece of flat bar and bent a 90* in it.I then drilled it to bolt on with 1 bellhousing bolt ,wrap around the corner and bolt into the holeyou have drilled and tapped.I lined up my z bar,marked it,and removed the bracket.I drilled and tapped the bracket then screwed the ball stud into it.I had just enough room to put a jam nut on back.It all then bolted into the truck and worked like a charm.I don't have pics but still own the truck.It's in Tx and I'm in NC or I would take one.
I hope this explaination helps.

OxydizedBlue · 06-28-2009, 11:25 PM

Thanks for the idea. That sounds fairly simple and effective.

prostreetC-10 · 06-29-2009, 12:06 AM

I had the same problem when I went from a 250 6 cyl to my BBC. Do you have a torch? I wanted it to look right so I cut the rivots off and relocated the bracket farther down the frame. Looks factory and clean. If you don't have a torch...it's a *****.

OxydizedBlue · 06-30-2009, 03:36 PM

I do not have a torch, but when I tried to line up the z-bar with the engine stud the clutch pedal piece that goes through the firewall was binding on the firewall.

**breeh** · 06-30-2009, 04:00 PM

It sounds like your engine is farther forward then a factory setup. If you don't want to rig something to work then you may need to consider sliding the entire engine, trans, and TC back an 1 1/2".

OxydizedBlue · 07-01-2009, 10:55 AM

My engine cannot go back any more. It is almost touching the firewall right now.

**CPNE** · 07-01-2009, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OxydizedBlue

I do not have a torch, but when I tried to line up the z-bar with the engine stud the clutch pedal piece that goes through the firewall was binding on the firewall.

Your problem may be resolved by moving this bracket back as suggested AND getting the V8 clutch pedal to Z-Bar rod. What does your clutch pedal rod look like? The I6 is a nearly straight rod, the V8 version has a "dogleg" in it. (or is it the other way around, i forget)

Also, your VIN's second character should be a letter indicating origial engine type:

I = straight 6
M = V6
E = V8

OxydizedBlue · 07-01-2009, 01:05 PM

You are correct as far as I know on the z-bars. I originally had a straight one off of an I6. Then I got a dogleg one. But the dogleg one had the tabs in different spots so the likage was way off. I guess this is the problem and the fun of my first old truck project.

What puzzles me is that my brother has a 72 K10 that has had several different engines from I6 to V8 and he had no clutch problems. He has not used the truck in several years and cannot remember any of the engine swapping.

OxydizedBlue · 07-03-2009, 03:18 PM

Thank you all for your help. I made a piece that seems to work. I will not know for sure until I get the engine running. I noticed that the linkage piece that goes through the firewall is different on a V8 that an
I6.

06-28-2009, 03:11 PM	#1
OxydizedBlue Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Ellensburg, Washington Posts: 8	Clutch linkage problem I have a 67 GMC K20 that I am trying to piece back together. I have the original tranny and t-case, but a small 400 engine. It originally had a 6 cylinder, I was told this could have been a 305 V6 or a straight six. I found a linkage out of a straight six and it is close to fitting minus the extra spacer piece. I had to drill had tap the engine block by the oil filter, so I could put a ball stud in for the z-bar to pivot on. But ball stud does not line up with the bracket that is riveted to the frame, so i am not sure how to get my linkage to work. Any help would be great. Also any pictures of a V8 with the linkage would be helpful. For my linkage to work without moving the frame piece I would need to move the ball stud back about 1.5 inches. So i was trying to come up with a bracket that I could bolt on to the engine that would move the ball stud back. Thanks. Also I am new here and cannot figure out how to upload pictures. Any help there would be also be appreciated.

06-28-2009, 06:52 PM	#2
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: Clutch linkage problem I had a problem like this on a truck many years ago.I used a piece of flat bar and bent a 90* in it.I then drilled it to bolt on with 1 bellhousing bolt ,wrap around the corner and bolt into the holeyou have drilled and tapped.I lined up my z bar,marked it,and removed the bracket.I drilled and tapped the bracket then screwed the ball stud into it.I had just enough room to put a jam nut on back.It all then bolted into the truck and worked like a charm.I don't have pics but still own the truck.It's in Tx and I'm in NC or I would take one. I hope this explaination helps. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

06-28-2009, 11:25 PM	#3
OxydizedBlue Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Ellensburg, Washington Posts: 8	Re: Clutch linkage problem Thanks for the idea. That sounds fairly simple and effective.

06-29-2009, 12:06 AM	#4
prostreetC-10 My Carbon Footprint Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Orygun Posts: 5,527	Re: Clutch linkage problem I had the same problem when I went from a 250 6 cyl to my BBC. Do you have a torch? I wanted it to look right so I cut the rivots off and relocated the bracket farther down the frame. Looks factory and clean. If you don't have a torch...it's a ***. __________________ A quick "pedalfest" Still getting loose (carb test) 496 Initial fire up video!**

06-30-2009, 03:36 PM	#5
OxydizedBlue Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Ellensburg, Washington Posts: 8	Re: Clutch linkage problem I do not have a torch, but when I tried to line up the z-bar with the engine stud the clutch pedal piece that goes through the firewall was binding on the firewall.

06-30-2009, 04:00 PM	#6
breeh Recovering 67-72 Addict Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: North Bend, WA Posts: 1,788	Re: Clutch linkage problem It sounds like your engine is farther forward then a factory setup. If you don't want to rig something to work then you may need to consider sliding the entire engine, trans, and TC back an 1 1/2". __________________ 68 Short Fleet 4x4; 427; BTO Level 3 700R4; NP205; Dana 60 front and rear; 4" lift with 35's; Disc brakes; AGR variable ratio steering; factory bucket seats; factory tach and tilt. "Friends call me cruzer cuz I like fast cars and fast women"

07-01-2009, 10:55 AM	#7
OxydizedBlue Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Ellensburg, Washington Posts: 8	Re: Clutch linkage problem My engine cannot go back any more. It is almost touching the firewall right now.

07-01-2009, 01:05 PM	#9
OxydizedBlue Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Ellensburg, Washington Posts: 8	Re: Clutch linkage problem You are correct as far as I know on the z-bars. I originally had a straight one off of an I6. Then I got a dogleg one. But the dogleg one had the tabs in different spots so the likage was way off. I guess this is the problem and the fun of my first old truck project. What puzzles me is that my brother has a 72 K10 that has had several different engines from I6 to V8 and he had no clutch problems. He has not used the truck in several years and cannot remember any of the engine swapping.

07-03-2009, 03:18 PM	#10
OxydizedBlue Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Ellensburg, Washington Posts: 8	Re: Clutch linkage problem Thank you all for your help. I made a piece that seems to work. I will not know for sure until I get the engine running. I noticed that the linkage piece that goes through the firewall is different on a V8 that an I6.



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