Was toying with the idea of doing a 4-speed conversion to my 70 while I am in the middle of my 455 swap, and I just found a manual '68 4-door car for cheap. Can I use the pedals,linkages, etc. to convert my '70 using '68 parts?
Yes you can, The exception is the z-bar, 455 specific. Mike Garrison on this board makes a nice repop. Also, the shift linkage passes thru the steering colum mount. This may be different, be sure to compare. GSJimmy 1969 GS California Stage 1 455/Muncie 4spd/3.31 posi "Too much torque, now the 4 speed is blown up"
Alrighty. Question two- This is an inline 6 3 speed car-Is the bellhousing worth taking and will it bolt-up to a saginaw or a muncie?
Don't bother with it. But, make sure you unbolt the frame bracket that holds the z-bar. The bellhousing that you need is most common to GTO/LeMans (BOP specific), can still find them at swap meets. If not I have one that is cracked and needs to be TIG welded. $10+ ship. Jim
There are more parts than the Z-bar that are specific between a BBB and a SBB. Also if you want it look and be factory correct, if that is an issue or not, there are even more differences between 1968 and 1970 even with just BBB applications. I know Michael Garrison makes a lot of reproduction parts but was not aware he makes a Z-bar.
Well, what other than the Z-bar will not work? I'm not too concerned about anything being factory correct.
I didnt mean to say it would not work I was just referring to there being more parts than the Z-bar different. Some have made the SBB setup work with a BBB. You may need a adjustable ball stud for the bellhousing. Even some need this with a BBB repro setup. If you really want a 4 speed then you have way more parts to start with than many of us did. Plus with what is reproduced you should be able to make it work one way or another. Search this section there has been many post made about what works and doesnt. Get yourself a assmebly manual and you will easily see the parts between a SBB and BBB
Here is what I used: Pedal assembly from a GT-37 Pontiac Upper actuator rod (SBC & SBB show as interchange) from GM (now disc) Z-bar - Year One Frame bracket - Cutlass S, available as a repo (YR1 & Others) Ball stud - frame & block sides, Camaro Lower adjustment rod - made my own from theaded stock (GM was too short) Misc small pieces - YR1 So, you have a doner car! Great, most of my list is taken care of. Get the z-bar from YR1 or Mike. T/A may have this as well. Install the frame bracket. Install the engine & trans. Install the z-bar. The ball studs should work from the I-6, if not, Chevelle, GTO or Camaro parts do work. Pull the colum mount and replace with the manual trans mount (has a hole & boot for the rod to pass through.) Unbolt the auto trans pedel - replace with the stick parts. The upper mount is the same, & a real pain too pull (so don't do it). Install the actuator rod - runs from the clutch pedel to the z-bar. Make sure to put in new cotter keys. Install the lower adjustment linkage - pull the cotter key & just install the whole thing as a unit. Of course this all assumed that you installed the clutch assy & bellhousing already. Make sure that the block is already drilled for the Ball stud & that the crank has the pilot bushing installed.
Alright, thanks for the info. So practically everything is interchangeable minus the bellhousing, z-bar, and the trans is junk-think the parts are worth the 300$ I'd be paying for the whole car? Not going to be doing the swap immediatly, but I will be someday so I may as well start collecting parts now.
Can you post some pics of the interior of the car? I have seen a few 3 on the tree Skylarks but never came accross a manual on the floor 4 door :Brow:
I would bet one Canadian dollar that it was a 3 in da tree when it left the factory. I saw that car on CL and thought it was a good deal. There is a '65 sportwagon on there too with a 3 speed manual for $1500. Looks decent but no engine. I'd grab it! Brian
Lol snowbound you would happen to be right, the guys kid converted it to a floor-shift. The guy wants me to take a parts car with it, the other is a 68 4 door automatic with 63k on the odometer. Apparently the auto car is totaled. Anyways-How much is a used set of Buick pedals, column mount, linkage etc. worth?
