1970 Skylark BB Z Bar frame Bracket Alignment

I’m converting a 70 Skylark GS BB from an auto to a 4 speed.All parts related to the conversion were purchased from Dave Kliener. The car is unmolested and has never been in a wreck. However, I’m having problems attaching the z-bar to the z-bar frame bracket.
Should the face of the z-bar barrel be parallel to the z-bar frame bracket? If I bolt thez-bar to the bracket, the z-bar binds against the z-bar frame bracket. Is this bracket the wrong bracket (not bent correctly)?

 

Pretty sure the face of the frame bracket should be parallel to the motor. Looks new. It is a repop? I've heard of guys having issues with them not being square. You may need to tweak it to line it up.

Here's my original with a Kleiner Z bar.

 

I purchased the frame bracket shown in the pictures from Dave Kliener who is telling me that the bracket is an exact replica of the original frame bracket. The bottom line is that it doesn't fit correctly and causes the z-bar to be wedged against the z-bar bracket. The frame has the factory holes used to attach the bracket to the frame. So, unless the holes were drilled incorrectly (not likely in my opinion) then the bracket is made with the wrong angle. Thoughts?

 

Some questions about the bracket.

Are BB Buick and SB Buick the same.

What years of BB are the same, 68/72?

Thanks Bill.

 

Jason, I did review your post...thank you. The bracket in the post that most closely resembles my bracket appears to have a sharper angle than my bracket, which would likely allow the bracket to fit properly. I'll talk to Kliener with the new info from this post and see if he has another bracket that actually fits.

 

Hey Cook,

Yeah, my Z bar's crooked. Best I could do with new motor mounts and the Kleiner Z bar back in 05 when I put it in. Over time I eventually wiped out the bushing at the top of the Z bar and replaced it with a roller bearing/bronze sleeve.

Always wondered if the angle of the Z bar was the cause, but never looked at it closer. Only needed it back together to get the car back to the track.



Phil- Hopefully Dave will help you out. It's still strange to hear he's had all these issues. Wonder if he switched shops on who's making his parts. From what I've heard, almost everyone else's parts including mine fell right into place.