Z-Bar

 

I went from automatic transmission to a 5-speed manual transmission a few years ago on my 6 cyl Maverick. I wanted to keep the 5-speed with my V8 swap but finding the V8 clutch linkage at a reasonable price came a challenge so I decided why not modify my 6 cyl linkage.

I was told by many that a 6 cyl bar could not be modified to work on a V8 so I decided to figure out why not. Using a plastic PVC pipe that was the same length as the equalizer bar to mock things up. This is when I noticed too much angle going to the block from the frame.

After farther investigation I found out the ball on the V8 frame mount is 1/2 in. closer to the shock tower than the 6 cyl frame mount. I happen to have two frame mounts to cut and welded back together to make the frame bracket half inch longer to get the pivot ball in the correct location.

The 250 six cylinder equalizer bar was cut down 1.125 in. to match the length of the V8. The Maverick driver's side exhaust manifold ended up exiting too close to the z-bar to bend the exhaust pipe. A manifold that exits toward the rear, same as the passenger's side manifold was used to clears the z-bar.

Exactly 2 weeks later after getting back on the road I found the correct V8 equalizer bar with frame mount and engine side pivot ball at a price I was happy with.