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Drivetrain => Transmissions => Topic started by: WkillGS on April 22, 2009, 10:24:51 PM

Title: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: WkillGS on April 22, 2009, 10:24:51 PM
Anyone know where to get these? They fit in the tube welded on to the frame.
GM #1359510
These are 3/4" I.D... The only bushings I can find are the pedal bushings which are too small..... :P
Title: Re: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: WkillGS on April 27, 2009, 09:08:05 AM
I searched high and low at the Carlisle swap meet for something that would work...
I came home with some 55 Chev bushings that are a larger diameter. I trimmed them down, but they are too thin and leave too much clearance. :P
Out of desperation, I settled on some steel 3/4" EMT conduit. Took a lengthwise slice in them to reduce the diameter to fit. The z-bar now fits nicely.  I don't like the steel-on steel contact, but it'll do for now.

Still looking for the correct bushings if someone knows of any....

Title: Re: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: Mark Ascher on April 27, 2009, 07:15:45 PM
Walt,

I looked a few years ago, and came up empty. A friend of mine took the inner and outer sleeves and filled them with a black liquid nylon and let it solidify. It will probably outlive the car. I'm having another one done for Brian Stone now.

Mark
Title: Re: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: Brian on April 28, 2009, 03:14:20 PM
Mark, I think they are talking about the Nylon bushings that go in the sleeve that is welded to the top of the frame.  The Z-bar shaft then goes through the bushings.  The ones in mine were fine--just cleaned them up with some carb cleaner and put it all back together with some clean grease.    I have made bushings like that before out of a flat sheet of nylon.  Don't remember where the nylon sheet came from--just rolled it into a cylinder and cut it to where it fit perfect.  I think I made the bushings in the reverse lockout lever on my 4-speed shifter handle like that.
Title: Re: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: WkillGS on April 28, 2009, 06:57:46 PM
Right....the ones in the frame mount. I only have one set of originals for the 3 cars.
I'll probably go the route Brian suggested and use some nylon sheet. Industrial suppliers like McMaster Carr will have it.
I'll often wander around hardware department looking for 'something' that will work...

Mark, for the bushing at the top of the z-bar for the pedal rod, there is a Corvette sway bar link bushing avail from GM that works well. It needs a bit of grinding to shorten it, then it will work and look like a stock one.
Title: Re: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: wildcat65 on June 05, 2009, 08:37:57 AM
"I'll often wander around hardware department looking for 'something' that will work..."

Ha!  I do the same thing, sometimes with brilliant results, sometimes not so much, but I know that "wander"ing action.
Title: Re: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: Chris on June 05, 2009, 11:46:44 AM
I know that "wander"ing action.


I think we all do..   ;D

There is a little bit of Macgyver is all of us...    8)

Chris
Title: Re: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: Loren At 65GS on June 05, 2009, 06:24:00 PM
Jon Thompson had some made for his car just recently. As I recall it didn't take too much.
I've been bugging him to get on board here. I'll just have to keep trying.
Loren
Title: Re: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: WkillGS on June 05, 2009, 08:00:27 PM
Thanks Loren, maybe we can have several sets made.

"I'll often wander around hardware department looking for 'something' that will work..."

...and then I like to confuse the sales people at the hardware store (or Home Depot), when they ask "May I help you find something?'.......
and I anwer:
Sure..... I'm looking for z-bar bushings for a 1965 Buick!
 ??? ;D
Title: Re: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: Loren At 65GS on June 06, 2009, 08:46:17 AM
Looks like Jon and I will finally be meeting tomorrow in IA to do our parts swap. I will have to remember to pester him about the board and the bushings.

Loren
Title: Re: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: gssizzler on June 09, 2009, 09:39:26 PM
Hi everyone! I am looking into getting some more of these made, talked to the company today about it!,getting cost and the stock to make them! I also have daul quad linkages that I repro, and I did some tilt steering levers in stainless!I will post a answer on the bushings when I get it! thanks Jon T
Title: Re: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: Loren At 65GS on June 10, 2009, 09:28:34 PM
Jon!!!!
Good to see you're with us here.

Loren
Title: Re: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: gssizzler on June 14, 2009, 01:18:08 PM
The price for a set of bushings $18.00 , ( these are machined from stock, custom MADE IN THE USA not some crap from china) I am wanting to make 25 to 50 sets .
WHO IS INTERESTED? and needs a set or two! Let me know. There is nothing like driving a stick nailhead powered BUICK! Thanks Jon! (pics on soon)
Title: Re: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: Loren At 65GS on June 14, 2009, 07:22:06 PM
Ok guys !
You asked for it , now you got it.
Don't all jump at once.

Loren
Title: Re: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: wildcat65 on June 14, 2009, 07:57:23 PM
I Need 2 sets, thanks!
Title: Re: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: Chris on June 14, 2009, 09:47:39 PM
Put me down for two sets please!

Chris
Title: Re: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: WkillGS on June 14, 2009, 10:25:30 PM
Excellent!
I need 3 sets.
What material are they made of?
Title: Re: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: 65gs76limited on June 14, 2009, 10:36:09 PM
I'll take two.Use one and put the other set away in a place where i won't forget and never see it again.    Tom
Title: Re: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: gssizzler on June 15, 2009, 09:38:12 PM
I think there is enough interest to do 25 sets! thanks guys! . The company that I am working with should be able to start on these next week, I will check! Here are some pictures of a original ( has cut ) and a new bushing. On my car I will be putting in a grease fitting to lube the shaft and bushings. To answer Walt's and others questions the bushings are made from nylon
like the originals! Thanks! Jon
Title: Re: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: gssizzler on June 15, 2009, 09:42:33 PM
more pics
Title: Re: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: Mark Ascher on June 16, 2009, 09:19:56 AM
Jon,

I'll take a couple of sets. I also need a dual quad linkage setup.
Good to see you here!

Mark
Title: Re: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: Joe65SkylarkGS on June 16, 2009, 11:01:31 AM
I'll need a set too.
Title: Re: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: dsags on June 17, 2009, 10:13:52 AM
I need a set too
Title: Re: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: gssizzler on June 18, 2009, 08:55:22 PM
Guy's thanks for the interest so we can drive and enjoy these cars! I will post
updates next week when the parts are made, shipping info and other things,
This weekend I have to help some of my gs buddies ,one 65 4spd with a blown
rear end and other with a 66 that has rear wheel bearing and brake issuses
till next week! Jon
Title: Re: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: cwmcobra on June 18, 2009, 09:12:03 PM
I need a set also.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: gssizzler on June 26, 2009, 05:07:46 PM
Looks like next week on the bushings.  I will start to contact members in the order that they replied to the post for shipping. Also remember the bushings are done to stock dimensions so if you have rust,paint, powder coat (very thick, had this problem already!) you might have to clean the mount and lever arm up for a good fit! Thanks Jon
Title: Re: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: Chris on June 26, 2009, 08:56:42 PM
Jon,

I'm ready to pay when ever you're ready.

PayPal - Check - Credit Card... just let me know when you are ready.

I was down for two sets.

Thanks for making this happen.. the 65 group needs more people like you.  It's projects like this that helps keep our old cars on the road!

Chris
Title: Re: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: gssizzler on June 27, 2009, 12:16:19 AM
Thanks Chris, I checked on rear wheel bearings the other day ,very hard to find, the company that I called is very good at finding things,but no luck! They also stated that one of the companies they deal with could make new ones if a order of a hundred or more is placed the PRICE! $10,000 , if you do the math $100 per bearing! WOW! I also looked into doing the correct lug nuts in stainless ( for the road wheels) I do not recall the number of sets in the quote around 35? I think! price $6,700, this is why some of the items to be reproduced are very difficult to do! Jon
Title: Re: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: Chris on June 27, 2009, 08:39:07 AM
I totally understand Jon, I invested in the tooling to mold inject the parking and reverse lenses for the 65's about three years ago.  It's coming along slowly and I think that I'll hit the break even mark in about another 18 months.  It's been a awesome journey and I know a lot of guys out there are really happy with their parts.

Quality parts cost a lot of money to bring to the market and usually when it comes to the 65 GS crowd the numbers are just not high enough to justify the payout of the project and therefore the costs of the parts goes up.... sometimes to the point that the project can't happen (IE Quarter Panels).

I found out through experience that if the parts cover other years or other makes, the opportunity to sell more parts increases which helps spread the costs out over the project. 

I can assure those reading this that in 99% of the cases, the folks bringing you these parts are not getting rich off these projects and they are usually doing them for the potential of a long term payoff or doing it to make sure we all have the parts needed to keep our cars on the road.  Please make sure to support these guys when you can by buying their parts.   ::)

Chris
Title: Re: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: WkillGS on June 27, 2009, 10:03:32 AM
Jon, I'm ready to buy as well.
I may be interested in the DQ linkage too. I'll need it someday... I have the manifold, carbs and lines already.

Olcar Bearings was listed as a source for obsolete wheel bearings. Maybe they still have some.

Chris,  The bushings would be a nice addition to your Damn Good Auto Parts' store.  ;D
http://damngoodautoparts.com/
Title: Re: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: gssizzler on July 02, 2009, 11:03:07 PM
BUSHINGS ARE DONE AND READY TO GET SHIPPED OUT!I will contact everyone
thanks! Jon
Title: Re: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: gssizzler on July 02, 2009, 11:52:12 PM
Thanks Walt , when I first got my gs I could go down to one of the local parts stores (many old parts instock) and buy things off the shelf bearings, ac delco fuel pumps, fuel filters, a85c air filters, trw, saginaw, moog,etc..
the good old days!Jon
Title: Re: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: gssizzler on July 15, 2009, 08:44:28 PM
Thanks to everyone for buying the bushings and helping this project along!
Now if we can get the lug nuts and turn signal lever buttons done and in colors other than black! Jon
Title: Re: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: Joe65SkylarkGS on July 15, 2009, 09:28:15 PM
Got mine yesterday. Thanks you. ;D
Title: Re: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: Chris on July 15, 2009, 10:45:57 PM
Got mine a couple of days ago also.

I posted kudos in the feedback section for Jon.   

http://65gs.com/board/index.php/topic,281.0.html

Thanks again for making this happen everyone!

Chris
Title: Re: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: 65gs76limited on July 15, 2009, 11:52:32 PM
Still waiting on mine.
Title: Re: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: WkillGS on July 16, 2009, 03:34:17 PM
Received mine today Jon. They look VERY nice!! ;D
Title: Re: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: gssizzler on July 16, 2009, 09:42:26 PM
Tom you should have got yours today! usps confirmation! let me know Jon
Title: Re: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: 65gs76limited on July 17, 2009, 11:24:37 AM
Jon,I received mine yesterday.Sorry for not letting you know but i wasn't on the computer at all yesterday. Thanks they look great.    Tom
Title: Re: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: dsags on July 17, 2009, 12:44:11 PM
Jon, got mine a few days ago also. Sweet. Posted my kudos with Chris. Thanks.
Title: Re: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: BuickGS65 on July 23, 2009, 04:05:28 PM
What is the group and part # for these bushings? (I like to label all my spare parts)

Thanks
Title: Re: Source for clutch z-bar bushings?
Post by: gssizzler on July 23, 2009, 08:29:02 PM
 Dan,  the group number 0.833 part#1359510 this is what I can come up with anyone else? Ted? others? 65-66 gs lever arm bushing and 65 cat pedal bushing!Thanks Jon