Hello all,

I've got a 56 ford country sedan Im converting from a ford-o-matic to a mustang t5 manual transmission. I've got everything in place and I was even lucky enough to find a scrap 56 wagon nearby to get original clutch parts to match up to the original manual bellhousing. I even found the little tab that bolts to the frame for the pedal return spring. Tee-Bird Products has helped me get the few little parts I was missing.

The one part I haven't been able to find is the rod that goes from the end of the z-bar to the throw out bearing arm. I'm thinking it will be easy enough to just get a piece of rod that is bent at a 90 degree, thread the long end, and double nut a washer at the end. The washer will push against the arm, the threaded rod end can pass through the end of the throw out arm that has a hole in it, and the double nut can be loosened and moved to accommodate for clutch adjustment.

Can anyone see a problem with this? Does the hole in the end of the throw out arm require the rod to have a round and adjustable end on it? Will a large washer be too flat and awkward of a connection that it will cause the joint to bind? I suppose theres one way to find out - to just make it happen! - but Im still curious to hear your opinions first.

Get a rocker arm ball, like small blocks use with individual stud mounted rocker arms.  It would have a 3/8" hole and fit on your fabricated rod if it is 3/8.  Its rounded surface fits the clutch arm nicely.  And yes, you need it to be adjustable, that's the only adjustment on a '56.  I hate to admit it, but the one I used came from a sbc on the fabricated linkage I used years ago.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

John,

Thanks for the tip - a friend of mine suggested that, should have listened the first time I heard it! Theres a sbc in the dump on the island - wheres that? THE DUMP? oh... It will be the perfect donor for the project. Thanks again!

Ced