Rebuilding Z-Bar, '68 Dart

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charliec

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I'm almost finished with the rebuild on the Z-bar of my '68 Dart, 340. When I took the old one apart, there was a short plastic tube inside the bell housing end. I assumed that this was supposed to keep the ball stud bushings from inserting too deep into the tube.
20250122_142611.jpg


The rebuild kit didn't have a replacement for this piece, and as I think about it I can't imagine the practical use of it anyway. The Z-bar is captured between the bell housing and the frame rail so that the ball studs cannot really go any deeper anyway. So what the heck is this for and do I really need to keep (replace) it?
 
I have rebuilt a few of Z bars in my day on a Dart, a couple of Barracudas and a Charger, never saw a tube like that. I checked my 1967 Service manual, it doesn't show anything like that in the diagram. Maybe someone else has an idea. My 2 cents worth.
 
I'm almost finished with the rebuild on the Z-bar of my '68 Dart, 340. When I took the old one apart, there was a short plastic tube inside the bell housing end. I assumed that this was supposed to keep the ball stud bushings from inserting too deep into the tube.
View attachment 1716356787

The rebuild kit didn't have a replacement for this piece, and as I think about it I can't imagine the practical use of it anyway. The Z-bar is captured between the bell housing and the frame rail so that the ball studs cannot really go any deeper anyway. So what the heck is this for and do I really need to keep (replace) it?
I've never seen or heard of that part before either.

The main thing you can do to enhance the performance and mechanical efficiency of the entire mechanism, of which the Z-bar is an integral component, is to ensure that all the parts line up perfectly. Check the rods, arms to see if any are bent out of perfectly straight alignment, also check ensure that the rods lay completely flat against the arm with the pin in position, and they are not slightly cocked so that only part of the rod is flat against the arm around the pins. All this preparation work makes a huge difference in how well the clutch mechanism works and feels.

I also use synthetic Disc Brake Grease on all the contact points, as it won't wash out or dry up plus it won't attack plastic or rubber. It's great grease.

Although, even if you get it perfect, a hydraulic set-up is superior in performance and feel.
 
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There is a clip that goes into holes in the z-bar and extends between the plastic bushing to keep the z-bar from moving laterally.-
 
As others have mentioned, it's not a factory used part. Here is a picture out of the parts book for reference.

1967-1976 A SMALL BLOCK.png
 
It’s been yrs but pretty sure my 66 Barracuda has this part. I have an extra Z-bar but can’t look for a while. Broke ankle
 
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