396 clutch set up question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Radford46 · 03-30-2021, 01:22 PM

Replacing the I6 with a 396 (67 Chevelle),and I’m stumped on what clutch rod and z bar to use. Length of rod from pedal to zbar, correct zbar? I bought a kit for a 67 Chevelle but it’s not right. Pedal rod is too short( I6 is too long). I think I need something between the stock I6 and the Chevelle.
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Radford46 · 03-31-2021, 08:37 AM

Anyone have a picture of their 396/ clutch linkage at the z rod? Thanks.

MARKDTN · 03-31-2021, 08:45 AM

I would think you would want truck parts, not Chevelle parts for all the linkage. Dimensions for a truck will be different than a Chevelle or a Corvette. Here is a post that shows the linkage but not really any rod lengths.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=499589

This site has some linkage photos

https://www.4speedconversions.com/68_truck_linkage.html

Radford46 · 03-31-2021, 08:57 AM

Thanks for the reply. I checked that out and found a couple other threads. I might need to fab up a bracket for the side of the block. Always thought the pivot just screwed in the available holes. Apparently not.

Radford46 · 03-31-2021, 10:13 AM

Anyone have a picture of the big block engine block bracket? 4 speed conversions says it’s different from the small block, but they don’t have a pic or sell one. I don’t believe it would be hard to make if I had a picture.

Radford46 · 03-31-2021, 10:33 AM

I found a picture. Man, the things you can find on here if you have the time!
Now, does anyone on here have one for sale?

**LockDoc** · 03-31-2021, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radford46

I found a picture. Man, the things you can find on here if you have the time!
Now, does anyone on here have one for sale?

Since you are a Premium member the thing to do is to post a Want To Buy on the 67-72 truck parts board. The message board isn't supposed to be used to buy and sell parts.

Thanks,
LockDoc, Moderator

Radford46 · 03-31-2021, 11:25 AM

I did. Thanks.

geezer#99 · 03-31-2021, 11:28 AM

I always search with ‘Google images’.
Usually a few hundred links with pics come up.
Like this one I just did.
Likely easier to just make one.

https://www.google.com/search?q=z+ba...EA&sclient=img

Radford46 · 03-31-2021, 11:45 AM

Cool. Thanks.

k29349 · 03-31-2021, 08:58 PM

If you get one, it would be nice if you could draw a blueprint of it and post it.

Radford46 · 03-31-2021, 09:07 PM

If I do, I will. Weird that no ones made some of this stuff.

68PanelTruck · 04-03-2021, 03:12 AM

I have a 396 with a NP435 four speed and I can get you pics or measurements if you still need them. My truck is apart right now so the stuff is in boxes.

Radford46 · 04-03-2021, 07:45 AM

Thanks 68 panel. What’s the pivot length of your z-bar ? Do you have the above pictured bracket or use something else?

68PanelTruck · 04-03-2021, 09:08 AM

You're welcome. Yes, I am using the bracket that bolts to the engine. I think I read that they are hard to find and quite $$ if you do find one. Just a FYI, I bought this truck almost a year ago and I knew at the time it needed a clutch. When I took the truck apart while restoring it I found that the Z bar was welded up for a repair and the push rod was worn almost to the point of breaking. I got used pieces from Ebay to replace them. One slight difference is the pushrod. The old rod is 19-1/2" center to center and the new one is 20" BUT the old one is bent a little so that may be why. The new (used) pieces in the pics are the painted ones. I am still working on the truck and have not put he linkage back in to make sure everything works
.
The Z bar is 6-3/4" long and both arms of the Z bar are 4" from the center of the Z bar to the center of the push rod hole.

The original push rod is 19-1/2" long, center to center. The one I am going to use is 20"

68PanelTruck · 04-03-2021, 09:10 AM

I made a link to more pic that you may find useful.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/mi4C2QD5bUUSSQDTA

Radford46 · 04-03-2021, 10:30 AM

Wow! Thanks man. Those definitely help. One more pic, could you put the bracket beside a ruler or tape and also measure the place where it bends, or how much it bends.

Radford46 · 04-03-2021, 10:35 AM

Your thru the wall pushrod is definitely different. Mines the straight long one in the first photo.I wonder if it’s a 6 cylinder to big block difference or 1968 to 1972 difference. This stuff just isn’t supposed to be this hard! Ha

**Grumpy old man** · 04-03-2021, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radford46

Your thru the wall pushrod is definitely different. Mines the straight long one in the first photo.I wonder if it’s a 6 cylinder to big block difference or 1968 to 1972 difference. This stuff just isn’t supposed to be this hard! Ha

The straight ones are for 6 cylinder, Dog leg for V8 .

68PanelTruck · 04-03-2021, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radford46

Wow! Thanks man. Those definitely help. One more pic, could you put the bracket beside a ruler or tape and also measure the place where it bends, or how much it bends.

Will do but it might be a few hours. I'm not home right now.

Radford46 · 04-03-2021, 11:37 AM

Thanks Grumpy, that clears up a bunch.
Don’t get in a hurry to take the pics, just try to when u can. I’m not at the shop yet today anyway. I appreciate the help.

68PanelTruck · 04-03-2021, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radford46

Wow! Thanks man. Those definitely help. One more pic, could you put the bracket beside a ruler or tape and also measure the place where it bends, or how much it bends.

Ok, I added a few more pics to the album. It's hard to show but the two mounting holes are not on the same plane where they touch the engine. There is only about a 1/8 " difference between the two where they touch the engine. This bracket is not flat, it's more of a twisted shape to conform to the engine. Let me know if you need more pics or measurements.

Radford46 · 04-03-2021, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68PanelTruck

Ok, I added a few more pics to the album. It's hard to show but the two mounting holes are not on the same plane where they touch the engine. There is only about a 1/8 " difference between the two where they touch the engine. This bracket is not flat, it's more of a twisted shape to conform to the engine. Let me know if you need more pics or measurements.

Posted via Mobile Device

03-30-2021, 01:22 PM	#1
Radford46 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Roanoke, Va. Posts: 127	396 clutch set up question Replacing the I6 with a 396 (67 Chevelle),and I’m stumped on what clutch rod and z bar to use. Length of rod from pedal to zbar, correct zbar? I bought a kit for a 67 Chevelle but it’s not right. Pedal rod is too short( I6 is too long). I think I need something between the stock I6 and the Chevelle. Posted via Mobile Device Attached Images

03-31-2021, 08:37 AM	#2
Radford46 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Roanoke, Va. Posts: 127	Re: 396 clutch set up question Anyone have a picture of their 396/ clutch linkage at the z rod? Thanks.

03-31-2021, 08:45 AM	#3
MARKDTN Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 2,131	Re: 396 clutch set up question I would think you would want truck parts, not Chevelle parts for all the linkage. Dimensions for a truck will be different than a Chevelle or a Corvette. Here is a post that shows the linkage but not really any rod lengths. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=499589 This site has some linkage photos https://www.4speedconversions.com/68_truck_linkage.html __________________ '83 K20-TPI '73 C10 '79 C10-ex-diesel(SOLD) '07 Tahoe(Son driving) '14 Suburban-DD '71 C10-current project

03-31-2021, 08:57 AM	#4
Radford46 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Roanoke, Va. Posts: 127	Re: 396 clutch set up question Thanks for the reply. I checked that out and found a couple other threads. I might need to fab up a bracket for the side of the block. Always thought the pivot just screwed in the available holes. Apparently not.

03-31-2021, 10:13 AM	#5
Radford46 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Roanoke, Va. Posts: 127	Re: 396 clutch set up question Anyone have a picture of the big block engine block bracket? 4 speed conversions says it’s different from the small block, but they don’t have a pic or sell one. I don’t believe it would be hard to make if I had a picture.

03-31-2021, 10:33 AM	#6
Radford46 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Roanoke, Va. Posts: 127	Re: 396 clutch set up question I found a picture. Man, the things you can find on here if you have the time! Now, does anyone on here have one for sale? Attached Images

03-31-2021, 11:25 AM	#8
Radford46 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Roanoke, Va. Posts: 127	Re: 396 clutch set up question I did. Thanks.

03-31-2021, 11:28 AM	#9
geezer#99 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bowser Posts: 13,512	Re: 396 clutch set up question I always search with ‘Google images’. Usually a few hundred links with pics come up. Like this one I just did. Likely easier to just make one. https://www.google.com/search?q=z+ba...EA&sclient=img

03-31-2021, 11:45 AM	#10
Radford46 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Roanoke, Va. Posts: 127	Re: 396 clutch set up question Cool. Thanks.

03-31-2021, 08:58 PM	#11
k29349 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Inman S.C. Posts: 67	Re: 396 clutch set up question If you get one, it would be nice if you could draw a blueprint of it and post it.

03-31-2021, 09:07 PM	#12
Radford46 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Roanoke, Va. Posts: 127	Re: 396 clutch set up question If I do, I will. Weird that no ones made some of this stuff.

04-03-2021, 03:12 AM	#13
68PanelTruck Registered User Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Frankfort, Ill Posts: 143	Re: 396 clutch set up question I have a 396 with a NP435 four speed and I can get you pics or measurements if you still need them. My truck is apart right now so the stuff is in boxes. __________________ It's not rust, it's called patina Trying to bring a 68 Panel Truck back from the dead. 396 Big Block, 4 on the floor, and a whole lot of rust.

04-03-2021, 07:45 AM	#14
Radford46 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Roanoke, Va. Posts: 127	Re: 396 clutch set up question Thanks 68 panel. What’s the pivot length of your z-bar ? Do you have the above pictured bracket or use something else?

04-03-2021, 09:08 AM	#15
68PanelTruck Registered User Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Frankfort, Ill Posts: 143	Re: 396 clutch set up question You're welcome. Yes, I am using the bracket that bolts to the engine. I think I read that they are hard to find and quite $$ if you do find one. Just a FYI, I bought this truck almost a year ago and I knew at the time it needed a clutch. When I took the truck apart while restoring it I found that the Z bar was welded up for a repair and the push rod was worn almost to the point of breaking. I got used pieces from Ebay to replace them. One slight difference is the pushrod. The old rod is 19-1/2" center to center and the new one is 20" BUT the old one is bent a little so that may be why. The new (used) pieces in the pics are the painted ones. I am still working on the truck and have not put he linkage back in to make sure everything works . The Z bar is 6-3/4" long and both arms of the Z bar are 4" from the center of the Z bar to the center of the push rod hole. The original push rod is 19-1/2" long, center to center. The one I am going to use is 20" Attached Images __________________ It's not rust, it's called patina Trying to bring a 68 Panel Truck back from the dead. 396 Big Block, 4 on the floor, and a whole lot of rust.

04-03-2021, 09:10 AM	#16
68PanelTruck Registered User Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Frankfort, Ill Posts: 143	Re: 396 clutch set up question I made a link to more pic that you may find useful. https://photos.app.goo.gl/mi4C2QD5bUUSSQDTA __________________ It's not rust, it's called patina Trying to bring a 68 Panel Truck back from the dead. 396 Big Block, 4 on the floor, and a whole lot of rust.



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04-03-2021, 10:30 AM	#17
Radford46 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Roanoke, Va. Posts: 127	Re: 396 clutch set up question Wow! Thanks man. Those definitely help. One more pic, could you put the bracket beside a ruler or tape and also measure the place where it bends, or how much it bends.

04-03-2021, 10:35 AM	#18
Radford46 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Roanoke, Va. Posts: 127	Re: 396 clutch set up question Your thru the wall pushrod is definitely different. Mines the straight long one in the first photo.I wonder if it’s a 6 cylinder to big block difference or 1968 to 1972 difference. This stuff just isn’t supposed to be this hard! Ha

04-03-2021, 11:37 AM	#21
Radford46 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Roanoke, Va. Posts: 127	Re: 396 clutch set up question Thanks Grumpy, that clears up a bunch. Don’t get in a hurry to take the pics, just try to when u can. I’m not at the shop yet today anyway. I appreciate the help.

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