[TJS69]

Whoa ! Eric, buddy take a deep breath ! This is not a competition ! We are both here to help people. I checked out your links and you are correct that those also show a pivot ball. I am not sure if the one I pictured just has a shipping plug though. Maybe somebody could help us answer that one. I was led to believe that all the small blocks were "fixed" and evidently that is not the case !

I will admit when I am wrong and I never claimed to know everything ! Just explain when I am wrong and we can go on ! I am not sure what else you think I am telling people that is not correct, but let me know !

[keithl1967]

The small block is also a pivot ball, it is just shipped pre-installed, so it looks liek a "fixed" stud...Leared this when I did my manual conversion a couple years ago...

[Vega$69]

Originally Posted by keithl1967

The small block is also a pivot ball, it is just shipped pre-installed, so it looks liek a "fixed" stud...Leared this when I did my manual conversion a couple years ago...

Correct. It would not work with a pivot on both ends.

[TJS69]

Originally Posted by Vega$69

Correct. It would not work with a pivot on both ends.

Huh ? We just established that there IS a pivot ball on each end !

[TJS69]

From Eric's rant :

Originally Posted by Eric Kammerer

I would almost bet that the "fixed" SBC bar end in your pic is just a shipping plug not removed for the photo.

***Maybe it is and maybe it is not ! I agree the links you have posted, do show a pivot ball.***

It would also be likely to bind; think about what you keep saying. Are the upper and lower linkage holes on BBC unit drilled perpendicular, or at an angle? Every piece that attaches (upper clutch rod, lower swivel for SBC, lower rod for BBC) all go through holes at 90 degree angle and get a simple pin to secure. Are the arms off the tube twisted to allow these components to connect this way? NO!

***They do not need to be drilled at an angle, that is why it is mounted on pivot balls. The rest of the linkage has enough slop in it to allow the slight twisting. We are only talking about a 5° angle for the BBC ***

Both z bars mount the same way; the BBC z bar installed on a correctly installed BBC is not visibly cocked forward. It is same alignment as SBC and L6 bars.

***If this is not the case, then how does it magically account for a BBC that is mounted approximately 3/4" forward than that of SBC ?***

[X-77 keith]

Ball on both ends and one grease fitting. Teflon like bowls that fit inside the tube for the ball to fit in " hold it snug not floppy" . Works just like the ball and socket of your feamer bone and hip socket.

[Eric Kammerer]

Originally Posted by TJS69

Sorry, Eric you are misinformed on the z-bar.

The small block z bar is mounted to the frame by a small stud.



The big Block z bar is longer and there is a pivot ball on the frame and engine, allowing the z bar to sit at an angle due to the engine pivot ball being 3/4" farther forward.

So that patronizing "sorry, you're wrong" wasn't supposed to set me off? I'm sorry, but I know you are very active here and give a lot of advice... But when you say things so definitively and with little pictures with circles and arrows, and a paragraph on the back of each on, explainin what each one was (not too late for a little "Alice's Restaurant" reference), and say things like a small block z-bar has a fixed stud on the end... And that a 1st gen BBC z-bar sits at an angle, folks start to question your advice.

You and I have butted heads on 1st gen BBC install info before, and even when I have bothered Jerry M. to clarify what I understand to be true, and have tried to get you to understand things like z-bar mounting, you go back to passing on erroneous info.

And when I try to get you to think it through, about details like if the bar was meant to be installed crooked, why would the linkage holes remain perpendicular and the rod ends 90 degrees, you just don't address that at all.

So I am not ranting. I just get tired of trying to explain. I installed my BBC and manual the way the AIM, Jerry's book, personal close up examinations of OE installs, etc. I've done a lot of research, and have plenty of hands on BBC and BBC installs in 1st gens. Likewise with SBC. I don't know where you learned what you think you know.

Mods, you can delete this if you want; I would have PM'ed if I cared enough, but I just don't like erroneous info being spoken as gospel.

Likewise to Ron, the OP, I hope your work is going okay and you know what you need to know. Post back or PM if you need more.

[ks3racing]

pulled engine,measured stands,looked at all pics I could find and found they were the correct stands! But they were reversed! now engine is centered and to close to firewall with HEI without riggin(BFH) so will go with diff dist! Problem solved -Wrong now bellhousing hits firewall on drivers side, also shift linkage hits tunnel. tail shaft is centered between frame rails, Did someone install new floor and get it half inch to pass side? about to put auto back in.

[TJS69]

Do you have a SBC transmission crossmember or a BBC transmission crossmember ? They have to match your frame stands.

I thought you said your engine was offset to the passenger side ? By reversing frame stands it would offset the engine to the driver's side and be way to far forward. Post pictures of what you have.

What frame stands do you have ?

[ks3racing]

TJS69. your thinking if they are in correct and you reverse them! it moved 2" back and centered engine. stands were totaly over crossmember and now over hang to the rear a bit. trans crossmember is the flat(not tubular) and still bolts up fine in rear holes in subframe. Thanks again for all help!

[ks3racing]

Yes engine was ofset to pass side by 1" now dead center

[TJS69]

Well, if you are happy... we are all happy !

[ks3racing]

I am far from happy!

[Vega$69]

Originally Posted by TJS69

Huh ? We just established that there IS a pivot ball on each end !

With a pivot on both ends. Yes! Stupid auto correct

[TJS69]

Originally Posted by ks3racing

I am far from happy!

If you have GM made frame stands, there will be a part number stamped into them. Were the frame stands the same height ? Big Block stands are different heights. The driver's side stand is about 1/2" taller on BBC stands. SBC stands should be approximately the same height. It originally sounded like you had big block stands, because you had the correct offset. Now you say that you reversed the stands, and now it is on center. That would indicate SBC stands. So, which do you have ?

Below, are pictures of the cut out (Bolt) area of the transmission crossmember. The top crossmember is for a small block. The bottom one is a big block.