z-bar and mounting trouble

[KlsCuda]

Hi guys.

As always, I turn here when I find myself questioning what the previous owner did to this car.

1970 Cuda original 340 - 4 speed car however sometime in the past a previous owner replaced it with a 440 - 6pack and Tremec 5 speed.

I've had this car for about 6 month and the clutch has always felt a bit off. There is a bit of squeaking when the pedal is depressed and when letting off the pedal sometimes it doesn't come all the way back up. If I tap it with my foot it pops up. I also noticed the z-bar looks a bit crooked from frame to bellhousing.

I thought maybe it was those little vinyl bushings in the z-bar. So today I disconnected the linkage and removed the z-bar.

the bushing in the z-bar actually look fine and are nice and snug. however, there is no retainer clip on the frame side of the bar and when I look there are no holes in the z-bar for the retainer clip at all.

Then I look at the mounting point on the frame for the z-bar and it's all hacked up.

I don't know if any of this has to do which the tremec transmission. The bellhousing looks like a stock Mopar piece. Although I'm not sure about that..

I'm not sure where to go from here... replace the z-bar mounting point on the frame? get correct z-bar.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Chryco Psycho]

I would definately replace the frame mount , there is a small notch to position it properly , you could just drill 2 small holes for the positioning clip easily

 

[tonysrt]

I have a 71 Cuda that was an original 383 stick car. I know when I was looking for spare clutch linkage I found out B block and small block used different rods off the zee bar. Even used different z bar between a & b blocks.

 

[Challenger RTA]

There is a bit of squeaking when the pedal is depressed

Chance the throw out bearing going bad? Or is from the peddle movement.
Clutch Pedal Return Spring Noise

 

[Chryco Psycho]

True the Big block belhousing is wider so the Z bar is a bit shorter

 

[KlsCuda]

Yes I'm fairly certain it's return spring noise.

 

[KlsCuda]

The other thing I'm confused about is that all the z-bars I've seen have a piece on each end to accept the rods. However mine just has holes so "stock" linkage rods won't work. all my linkage rods are ball joint type rod ends on threaded rods. Including the clutch pedal.. there is just a whole to screw a rod to.

 

[tonysrt]

Looks like previous owner made the Z bar and rods to his satisfaction. Seems like he preferred ball bearing linkage, then the plastic bushings that Chrysler used.