SAAC Forum

ASk Cobra Automotive what is different about their z-bar. They will tell you.

The most likely and most common cause of this situation is that the z-bar has twisted.


If you read through the original Ford specs, the original specs on the clutch rates it at 2,600 pounds.

To my knowledge, the Ford service part for the clutch pressure plate was a "Ford rebuilt" and rated at 2,800 pounds. Considering the general dependability of the original z-bars, those two must have been within the capacity of the original components?


If you read through the specs on seemingly every aftermarket pressure plate, they start at 3,200 pounds and some are as high as 3,400 pounds.It is very unlikely that your car has an original equipment pressure plate installed?

The original z-bar was never intended to work with the pressure of current aftermarket pressure plates.



If you attempt to use an original equipment z-bar, what will happen to it is the long leg, the one that curves around the steering column will also bend to the point that you can no longer move the throw out bearing/clutch pedal far enough to release the clutch.


The fix generally is simple. Replace the z-bar with a stronger z-bar. Sounds simple right? Typically the after market z-bars are not tempered enough to use without them also twisting like cooked spaghetti.

You are going to need a replacement that can handle the pressure of the current replacement clutches.That means that even if you found an original Ford Service part, which I doubt, you are going to need one that is reinforced in some way. In addition, there are at least two types.



The 289hp, because of it's unique cast iron exhaust manifolds uses a unique part to clear that driver side exhaust manifold.

My suggestion is that regardless whom or where you purchase it from, that it is certified for use with higher aftermarket pressure plate assemblies otherwise you will be in the same situation within a very short period of time?



You may also need to replace the plastic balls (bearings) on the z-bar mounting brackets with something better then the original brackets.

You need to be an educated consumer on this and make sure that you are dealing with someone who understands the issue and has the correct reinforced pats. You might want to ask the folks at Cobra Automotive for help on getting the necessary reinforced parts for this repair?

This is something that is very common for them to deal with and they can save you a lot of time in supplying the right parts the first time through?


You certainly can choose to go further in replacing or reinforcing other components in the clutch release system but what you are experiencing is a z-bar issue. You could find other components seriously worn when you disassemble and it would be a good time to consider upgrading them but that may not be absolutely necessary.

Anyone who can recreate that on the bell is...um...very talented. 

Sold. Thank you.

I already voted against it. The moderator here uses his own preferences. It makes it look like there is more activity going on here then there really is.

There is obviously a change in the procedure with the new software? I'm not seeing it?

This is an original 69-70 Assembly line Boss 429 battery tray.

It has been glass beaded and repainted.

It isn't perfect but it is very nice AND an original Ford part. Not a reproduction.

PM me here if interested.

$595 plus shipping.

I hold no personal animosity towards him. The subject of the OP just reminded me of the original articles that he wrote back then, whenever that actually was.

As with anyone in the public eye, I would expect there always to be a degree of dislike.

My experience with "celebrities" that I have met or known either professionally or personally is that their public persona rarely matches the reality accurately.

Identifying exactly what motivates them has always been somewhat of a challenge to understand. I'm passed the point of even being interested in that at all. To me it seems apparent that is very much just a sophomoric point of view or opinion.

Personally I have always been a person that is always "too". "Too tall. Too short. Too smart. Too stupid. Too ugly...etc." So I try not to offer "paybacks" when given the opportunities and just leave it at that.

Being a native New Yorker, I think we learn that very quickly. In NY, it is beyond showing a sign of weakness to be kind, it is a sign that you are, to state it politely, "seriously screwed up".

I don't care that he was only 5'5" tall. Only he does. I would just need to be careful that I don't fall over him because he is down there somewhere? 

I thought that Tyre was a city in Lebanon?

Yes. My recollections are a little fuzzy on the timeline but I remember his review of the new 340. I do remember that review as being with a theromquad and his being impressed with the 1/4 mile times and his preaching about it.

I was still in college, impressionable, multitasking on so many fronts before I decided on the Shelby road to a true happy lifestyle.

Quote from: JohnSlack on April 11, 2024, 03:52:24 PM

Quote from: Hov on April 11, 2024, 12:12:35 PMAll of the "carryovers" for 1966 were 4 speeds except one.

From one of the lowest all time post count SAAC members. 

Hey, I have 2.1667 times more posts than you, however I know 1,200 times less than you know. Post counts will get you Status and Admiration. That and 8 bucks will get you a donut and coffee at McDonald's in California.


Bob Johnson, Darn glad to meet you.

Is that Metric or SAE? You are confusing me with those numbers. What kind of doughnut can I get? I hope that isn't confusing also? But then again, I wouldn't know because I am confused? 

I think that it, the 340,  initially had a Thermoquad single 4v carb. 1970-ish. The 3x2 T/A came along a year or so later with the introduction of the new 'cuda and Challenger?

I remember John Dianna going "ape" over the car (the engine actually) and swearing some sort of allegiance to Satin for being given one to test? Something like "the best package ever offered to 'mankind' " or some sort of trash?

I think Dianna had that engine in a Dart or some sort of under the radar contraption?
Odd that it didn't live up to his prognosis?


I appreciate your attempts at educating me with poetic cultcha'. There is always a chance to save my soul? Bless me father for I have sinned. Can a Mopar save me? 

Nice poem but it needs more bass so it's easier to dance to? Which part is the Chorus? I am a dumb chit. 

Quote from: s2ms on April 12, 2024, 07:57:28 PMLooks great Ron, thanks for all your hard work!

I do have one question....is there an option to display the "Recent Posts" as "Recent Topics"? IIRC the previous forum version was like that, looked but couldn't find anything for this update. I find with "Recent Posts" the list gets too cluttered with new posts to the same topic.

I agree. Go back to the previous system if possible.

I agree they are too early but the date variation seems to change depending on what time of the year the car was built?

Early in production seems to be the largest variation and late could be as little as a week to ten days difference?

I don't know what causes the variations but that is what I have seen as best as determining originality to the car on something that is over 50 years old.

Quote from: FL SAAC on April 10, 2024, 03:55:55 PM

Quote from: shelbydoug on April 10, 2024, 01:59:22 PMWell, but in essence that's what I was asking you? This is a change. Not necessarily an improvement. Just a way to suggest there is more going on then there is? Kind of like echos in an empty hallway with nothing going on.

I think Tony is gonna' luv this? Somehow. Like a construction site in the city with posters plastered all over it. I can envision it now. FLSAAC plastered all over everything. Everywhere you go.

Tony loves everything....everything loves Tony

Hey whipper snapper, glad you where able to make the switch over, thought we might have lost you on this galactic time and space change over

Hope springs eternal.