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Hello everyone, I am having some issues with my zbar on my 351w swap. I have the clutch linkage, pedals, zbar, etc from a 1973 2wd 360 that I am trying to use for my 76 2wd but the zbar is about 4 inches to far towards the front of the truck, meaning I cannot connect it to the rod coming from the pedal. (Sorry I don't have any pics, my truck is in my friends garage.) My question is, are the FE zbars/brackets different then the 300, 302 or 351M/400s?
I`m not sure about the Zbar or frame pivot bracket, but the engine side pivot is very different. The small block and 351M/400 use a threaded stud with a plastic pivot ball that threads directly into a hole in the block, down low on the drivers side. On the 369/390, the inner pivot is part of a steel plate that is attatched to the block with 2 bolts that go thru the plate, and thread into the block. I`m not sure about the 351W blocks, but sometime in the mid 70`s Ford stopped making the threaded pivot hole provision in the 302 blocks. In such a case, there are aftermarket block pivot adapter brackets that provide such a mounting hole.
On 360/390, the engine side bracket mounts forward of the the block flange. On the 351M400, the bracket mounts behind the bellhousing and is attached by two bellhousing bolts.
On 360/390, the engine side bracket mounts forward of the the block flange. On the 351M400, the bracket mounts behind the bellhousing and is attached by two bellhousing bolts.
I`m not sure about the Zbar or frame pivot bracket, but the engine side pivot is very different. The small block and 351M/400 use a threaded stud with a plastic pivot ball that threads directly into a hole in the block, down low on the drivers side. On the 369/390, the inner pivot is part of a steel plate that is attatched to the block with 2 bolts that go thru the plate, and thread into the block. I`m not sure about the 351W blocks, but sometime in the mid 70`s Ford stopped making the threaded pivot hole provision in the 302 blocks. In such a case, there are aftermarket block pivot adapter brackets that provide such a mounting hole.
Thanks for the info Rory. My 351w is a 94 block and it does have the threaded pivot hole but it is too far forward. I will try to find a used bracket and if I can't find one I will order what HIO suggested above. Thanks for the help guys I really appreciate it!
They did put a 302 with a 4 speed overdrive in 78-79 so maybe you could find one of them in a local junk yard. I've never noticed a different frame bracket on any models. Maybe just move it back, drill 2 new holes in the frame.