Worn Out Linkage

[Alfred Lord Tenniscourt]

My clutch will not disengage fully because the bushings in the old, mechanical linkage are all worn out. Does anyone know where to find them? The guys at the autoparts store dont seem to be able to find anyone who makes them.
If you can't find them, has anyone managed to re-engineer anything that has worked out well?
Also, although I would rather have an LUK, the good autoparts store in town carries Sachs clutches. Has anyone had bad luck with them? I still have time to take the thing back...

[fordman]

www.fordification.com/links.htm

[My427stang]

If you are handy with a die, a better fix is out there.

I run a heavy 3 finger Zoom clutch and always ate up bushings. So I ended up cutting the ends off and threading them to take a female threaded rod end (Heim Joint)

I replaced all, and bolted them solid to the z-bar, so the joint itself does the moving. Never wore again and it works much smoother.

Been that way since the late 80's and even did it on my 70 Mustang

[Alfred Lord Tenniscourt]

Wow, thanks for the link. I guess I should have checked the site for vendors...
I like the idea of upgrading to a full out tie-rod end, but the problem isn't with that part of the linkage, it is with the bushings between the z-bar and the frame, and also the Z-bar and the engine. What I have is a Z-bar that is totally loose on its mounts.
It is a tough little engineering problem to come up with something that will work well. The Z-bar must mount to the engine on one side and the frame on the other, so it can't be locked in to either side too rigidly or engine flex will break it. It must control the clutch precisely, so it can't be too sloppy, and it must pivot smoothly and reliably the whole time...
If I had infinity time and infinity money I would make a tapered roller bearing on each side of the Z-bar, one supported by the frame and the other by the engine block, and then I would put a spring on the frame side so that the whole mess was always pushed to the block side bearing...

[fordman]

well if you have a samll block i have a good used set of those for both sides of the z bar. i also have another set for just the frame side. i was going to ebay it tomorow.

[fmartin_gila1]

The Ford Dealerships still carry the bushings. I bought new ones about two years ago.
fred

[Alfred Lord Tenniscourt]

Oh yeah, the Ford dealer. I guess they might have a pair...
Thanks for the offer Fordman, but I have the service six...

[MadMaxetc]

If you are handy with a die, a better fix is out there.

I run a heavy 3 finger Zoom clutch and always ate up bushings. So I ended up cutting the ends off and threading them to take a female threaded rod end (Heim Joint)

I replaced all, and bolted them solid to the z-bar, so the joint itself does the moving. Never wore again and it works much smoother.

Been that way since the late 80's and even did it on my 70 Mustang

I should try that. I will have to price the ends.

[fordman]

the small block ones are the same as the six cylinder ones. but i would try ford first. because its close and it will be a brand new piece. it will save you shipping and last longer than a used piece would.

[Alfred Lord Tenniscourt]

I called the ford dealer and the parts guy said that he would "have to look them up." I sat there wondering what the heck else his job was and hung up the phone.
In the meantime, I found that there is a bolt sticking out of the engine block and into the Z-bar. The trucks PO(S) couldn't even get the right bracket. I custom made something so I could get the thing on the road, and now I am going to have to hit Fordman up for the right parts. I should have just had him send the m a week ago...

[fordman]

i have another set. i sold that single piece on ebay the other day. i am still waiting to here back from my ford dealer on a part from two weeks ago. i should have went up there in person.

[fmartin_gila1]

Guess I am very lucky to have a decent Ford Parts Guy. It probably helps that he drives a 65 F100.
Fred

[390Nut]

LMC, Dennis Carpenter, Autokrafters, places like those usually have the round bushings. Make sure you get new felts for them as well, and coat them with a bit of grease. Helps to keep dirt and crap out of the bushings (which makes them wear out faster! )

[averagef250]

The 300 six uses a stud that screws directly into the block. I've found the same stud used on a lot of HD GM chassis trucks and box vans in the 70's 80's and 90's.

That stud has a hibit of snapping off and getting rigged back together with a bolt or similiar.