'69 Torino Z-Bar and linkage setup

rustang · 08-29-2018, 09:17 PM

Just got my brother's 69 Torino out amongst the living after 18 years of gathering dust. Had it to the track last weekend and had a few teething problems, one of which was stock clutch linkage setup. I think for the most part I need new bushings, etc.. but I'm also wondering if you guys are doing anything different than the stock arrangement? Maybe bearings instead of the nylon bushings, different means of adjustment etc.? The clutch and pressure plate is a Ram 98769. Not sure what the spring pressure is but it takes a lot of leg! I'm having a hard time keeping the linkage in adjustment (so far...but could just be everything loose and worn).

Rory McNeil · 08-30-2018, 01:01 AM

Fairlanes and Torinos of that era used a 2 piece Z bar/cross shaft, 1 section fits inside the other, a bolt holds it together. This Z bar is known to flex and deform, especially with old style pressure plates. Years ago, I owned a 69 428CJ 4 speed Cobra fastback, that a previous owner had swapped over to a 1 piece 69 428CJ Mustang Z bar.Not sure what all had to be done to make the Mustang bar fit, but even the 2 piece unit should be fine with a modern low pressure clutch setup.

08-29-2018, 09:17 PM	#1
rustang Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 19 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	'69 Torino Z-Bar and linkage setup Just got my brother's 69 Torino out amongst the living after 18 years of gathering dust. Had it to the track last weekend and had a few teething problems, one of which was stock clutch linkage setup. I think for the most part I need new bushings, etc.. but I'm also wondering if you guys are doing anything different than the stock arrangement? Maybe bearings instead of the nylon bushings, different means of adjustment etc.? The clutch and pressure plate is a Ram 98769. Not sure what the spring pressure is but it takes a lot of leg! I'm having a hard time keeping the linkage in adjustment (so far...but could just be everything loose and worn).

08-30-2018, 01:01 AM	#2
Rory McNeil VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: from Vancouver BC Canada, now in Nova Scotia Posts: 1,257 Likes: 244 Liked 937 Times in 258 Posts	Re: '69 Torino Z-Bar and linkage setup Fairlanes and Torinos of that era used a 2 piece Z bar/cross shaft, 1 section fits inside the other, a bolt holds it together. This Z bar is known to flex and deform, especially with old style pressure plates. Years ago, I owned a 69 428CJ 4 speed Cobra fastback, that a previous owner had swapped over to a 1 piece 69 428CJ Mustang Z bar.Not sure what all had to be done to make the Mustang bar fit, but even the 2 piece unit should be fine with a modern low pressure clutch setup. __________________ NHRA 6390 STK M/S 85 Mustang