70 C2 clutch linkage

[JLubben]

I have an odd setup here on this truck.. Seems like the clutch rod from the pedal isn't long enough or something odd.. I got it this way, and I don't like it. Any suggestions?

[Tom Vogel]

Looks like the correct clutch rod. Also looks like the wrong hookup on the Z-bar to the motor, it should be straight, not angled. I bet that is an engine swap and the engine side of the z-bar and ball joint are in the wrong place. Maybe original engine was a 6?

[Grumpy old man]

definitely home made .That looks like it's binding up pretty good . Tom's probably right on the swap .and they used what they could to make it work . how stiff is the pedal ?

[Mike C]

They may have extended the top to make it easier to push the clutch pedal for an older or smaller person.

[JLubben]

Pedal isn't very stiff, too easy as a matter of fact. Right now it pushed down super easy and only returns halfway back. I have to grab the pedal and pull it back up just a little pressure to do that. It didn't seem like my clutch rod would be long enough to reach the Zbar. I have the spot on the engine that has two bolts holding it to the block and the ball is pressed into the bracket. I'm not sure what to do with this honestly. It's frustrating all the crazy "fixes" this thing has had.. )

What should I be using for the engine side of the bar?

[JimGreg72]

Hey JLubben, if your still in there, I was curious what you ended up doing with your Zbar situation? I'm kind of going through a similar situation with my l6 to 350 swap. Post a picture if you can of problem resolution. Thanks.

[JLubben]

Sure thing. I ditched the bar/ball thing on the engine side. I went with the screw in ball stud in the rear hole of the engine. Then I cut the rivets off the frame and moved the frame bracket back about an inch or so. I just moved it around until it was all nice and straight. Then marked it. Drilled two new holes and bolted it in.

As far as the extension on the top of the bar. I found out that someone had put a body lift on there. So the body is a little higher on the frame now. Why, who knows. But it works now nicely. I'll grab some pics here either today or tomorrow.

[CaptRMW]

The original setup was missing the two piece nylon bushing on the ball which caused at least part of the bad angle. The lower arm of the Z bar looks to have some welding boogers on it and may have split away from the tube at some point and been re welded not quite in its original position . Good luck.

[JimGreg72]

Thanks JLubben,
Glad that worked out for you. I was thinking of doing that very same thing. That engine bracket positons the Z-bar way to close to my header tube for comfort. Mounting the pivot ball directly to the block should give me an extra inch and 1/2 about of clearance. Then, like you say, it’s just a matter of getting everything else to line up. I’ll look forward to seeing the photo.
-JimGreg-