I6 to SBC zbar won’t fit???

[Keystone_Hate]

My 72 was originally an I6 and I just installed an SBC in the I6 position. I did my research for the clutch linkage and thought I had it nailed down. When I tried to install the zbar today it just didn’t fit. I have the ball stud threaded into the forward hole in the block and it is straight across from the frame side mount for the zbar so I know I’m good there. The issue is that zbar won’t slide on to the ball stud because it’s hitting the frame side mount. It’s at to great of an angle to get over the ballstud and drop the frame side down in the slot. I tried putting the ball stud into the zbar and putting it in but there’s not enough room to tighten the ball stud into the block. I need some help here. I attached some pics to show how close it is.

[B. W.]

Don't know, the Z bar on my '71 GMC K25 350 is 7 & 1/4" long. The frame mount is different than yours. Mine is flush with the outside of the frame.

['68OrangeSunshine]

L6 and V8 use totally different Z-bars.

[Keystone_Hate]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

L6 and V8 use totally different Z-bars.

Yes I’m aware of that. I have the one for a v8. And it doesn’t fit. I believe it may be the frame side mount but I’m hoping to hear for sure from someone.

['68OrangeSunshine]

The LH frame bracket is riveted on, but you could grind it off, and re-drill and bolt it in a better position if desired. I only have experience with half tons.

[randy500]

remove the frame bracket rivets and replace with bolts, then you can slide the Z bar onto the block ball, then slide in the frame bracket and bolt it down.
Or jack up the engine to install the z bar onto the block stud.

[Grumpy old man]

Sometimes it's just easier to buy the right cross member and engine mounts to completely switch everything over to the stock V8 configuration for the V8 swap , Then your only chasing easily found parts by the numbers , the engine sits where it was ment to be and you avoid a bunch of headaches like your having now with clearance / exhaust/firewall/ radiator cowl.... for a few hundred bucks in parts and some labor your done with less franken truck in the end . I'm switching one of my frames over now and switching the trans cross member with the correct V8 one , In the end everything will just drop into place like it should .

[Keystone_Hate]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

Sometimes it's just easier to buy the right cross member and engine mounts to completely switch everything over to the stock V8 configuration for the V8 swap , Then your only chasing easily found parts by the numbers , the engine sits where it was ment to be and you avoid a bunch of headaches like your having now with clearance / exhaust/firewall/ radiator cowl.... for a few hundred bucks in parts and some labor your done with less franken truck in the end . I'm switching one of my frames over now and switching the trans cross member with the correct V8 one , In the end everything will just drop into place like it should .

Thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands of 4x4 trucks are made with the small block sitting in this exact position. It’s not some anomaly. It works, and has worked for a long time. I’m just tying to get an answer for my situation. Not someone telling me how I should’ve done it differently. That doesn’t help me right now.

[Keystone_Hate]

Originally Posted by randy500

remove the frame bracket rivets and replace with bolts, then you can slide the Z bar onto the block ball, then slide in the frame bracket and bolt it down.
Or jack up the engine to install the z bar onto the block stud.

Randy I think I’m gonna grind out the rivers and do what you said. Sounds easiest. Thanks.

[harpo231]

WOOT !!you tell em ....