So I've done some reading and googleing, and now I'm confused. I am looking for a Z bar for my 62 bel air. And there is a difference between a small block and 409 Z bar. Just can't figure out what or WHY? My thinking is, the tranny and bell housing are bolted in the same spot, that puts the engine in the same place. So Why is the Z bar any different? From what I gather, the small bracket on the frame is welded in the same place, weather it's a 6 cyl or a 409, so that's the same. So what gives?
Small block vs. 409, clutch Z bar.
- Thread starter Gus68
- Start date
Phil, doesnt the 883 Bellcrank have a shorter arm on the clutch fork side ? Thats what SC shows. 3 3/8 pedal side and 2 7/8 on the fork side.
You are correct for the 409 cross shaft arm lengths.
I have been selling off my extra clutch parts and the key is when the different years are mixed &
the clutch operation can be affected. 61 upper linkage & lower linkage “is one year only”, 62 factory lower linkage is like the 63 lower linkage. 64’s have different factory lower linkage.
The type of clutch fork used changes what lower rod will work. From my experience for 62’s (with the factory adjustable upper rod) there are 2 different clutch forks and lower clutch rods that will work.
Paul
Here's a photo of Show Cars old catalog. Hope you can read it.
You have to have the right rod through the firewall for the clutch pedal setup for the year you have. My 59 had 59 stuff from that rod to the clutch fork, everything fit together fine with a 283 or 409 in the 59. I used the same bellhousing, clutch, pp, fork, rods, z bar. But when you say throw a different piece from a 62 into that mix, things may not line up.
Yes, I've seen the show cars chart. I can't understand WHY the difference. If I go from a small block to a 409, why all of a sudden does the arms on the Z bar need to be different? The bellhousing hasn't changed. The clutch hasn't changed. Sooo.... why? Hell, can't you even use a small block flywheel on a 409?
55Brodie
Well Known Member
Gus, I pondered the same question in an earlier post and still don't have an answer. This could possibly be the biggest 409 mystery ever.
NO!!!!!!!!!! I don't know how to say this in any other language!!!!!!! Get the right parts from Show cars!!!!!
Small block is small block FOR A REASON!!!!!
409 IS 409 FOR A REASON!!!! IT'S CLUTCH GEOMETRY. MESS WITH IT AND YOUR CLUTCH WILL NOT WORK CORRECTLY.
Small block is small block FOR A REASON!!!!!
409 IS 409 FOR A REASON!!!! IT'S CLUTCH GEOMETRY. MESS WITH IT AND YOUR CLUTCH WILL NOT WORK CORRECTLY.
There is a ratio difference between the two. So it must have something to do with pedal effort, maybe because of a heavy duty clutch. 
I would try it, it's not that hard to change it out if needed.
My thought is the 409 had different angles on the arms on the z bar so the 2 rods attaching to it would be different lengths than the small block, for some reason.
If your small block has a 168 tooth flywheel and you are moving everything from the flywheel to the clutch rod on the clutch pedal, it should work like it did on my 59. I used a starter mounted on the bellhousing.
The distance from the ball mount to the frame bracket for the Zbar is the same for a 409 and a small block.
If your small block has a 168 tooth flywheel and you are moving everything from the flywheel to the clutch rod on the clutch pedal, it should work like it did on my 59. I used a starter mounted on the bellhousing.
The distance from the ball mount to the frame bracket for the Zbar is the same for a 409 and a small block.
