Suede53

I'm looking for any help or guidance in tracking down the right parts for a '68 442 build.

A little background info first, long before this become my project the original 400 and Muncie were pulled and along with it almost all of the clutch linkage. I'm in the process of piecing this back together and the only parts left were the frame mounting bracket for the ball stud and the clutch rod coming through the firewall.

Currently, I've put a newly built 455 (from a '68 Cutlass) in the car and it's mated to a Super T10 and Lakewood blowproof bell housing. I'm also using a new Lakewood fork.

So, the heart of the question, I've been able to track down most of the bits to put this together but I'm having issues locating the proper clutch equalizer. My research so far has lead me to believe that I'm looking for GM #401077 which is listed for 68-69. However, looking at various vendors and ebay listings, some are listed as 68-72 and others list 68-69. I'm looking for any recommendations for identifying the correct equalizer. Any recommendations for or against any parts/vendors would be greatly appreciated as well. (I don't really want to return any more parts if I can help it )

I'm currently looking at these:

Fusick - CzB689 (Page 50 in PDF catalog)
OPGI - C220056
Ebay - link

Sorry for the long winded post, I just wanted to provide as much info as possible.

Cheers,

Suede

allyolds68

68-69 is definitely a different Z-bar than 70-72 however it really depends what all the rest of your parts are from. I had 68 parts and couldn't get a 70 Z-bar to work. I'm guessing if you have a 70-72 clutch rod, z-bar, actuating rod, etc the geometry will work. The clutch pedals for 68-69 are also slightly different than 70-72 but I can't tell you exactly what makes them different. 68 had no backdrive lock out so that may have something to do with the geometry difference too.

Suede53

Thanks for the info. All the other parts I have are supposed to be for '68 so hopefully they work. I decided to go with Parts Place since they had the best price and clearly listed a 68-69 z-bar.

You signature pic is good motivation! Mine is the same car but it doesn't have the 442 stripe.

dmw1948

Have you tried The Parts Place in DeKalb, IL...630-365-1800... they are masters in old 442 parts

marxjunk

i have a ton of cutlass stick stuff right now..and to be honest..its all so similar unless you know which is which it interchanges 68-72...

i think i have this part right.....the diff is one gets a big bushing on the pedal push rod side..some say thats a 68-69 only, but my all orig never touched under the hood, 70 cutlass 350 3 speed on column.. has the big rubber bushing..even the pedal push rod is different...it has a long pin to make up for the bushing length..someone told me i had the wrong one on my car..but pretty confident..its the one it came off the assy line with..

small block skylark uses the same zbar

your pics look right..

lets see the pedal pushrod..the end under the hood..get the zbar that works with the push rod you have is my advice

rob1960

My '68 had the rubber bushing & the corresponding push rod with the longer pin. I've seen these on original '70s also. My buddies 60k '70 W30 post coupe has one on it. That one from OPGI is that generic '68-'72 a-body junk that's out there. Wow, almost $100 for it?? What a rip off!!! Parts place now has the correct re-pop rubber bushing available for those who need one instead of having to buy a whole new Z-bar. Inline sells a nice steel bushing #10417,while not correct for '68, it presses in perfectly & really tightens up the clutch linkage. It's a little thinner than the rubber/steel one so you'll either have to add some washers,cut the pin down & re-drill the hole for the clip or get the later pedal push rod with the shorter pin.