66 Fairlane, 427 engine swap (clutch)

[Dan859]

Hi everyone,
I recently bought a 66 Fairlane, 6 cylinder, 3 speed standard transmission.  I want to swap in my 482 FE (Engine info and specs are posted in the dyno section) , a 4 speed toploader trans., and a 9" rear end.  For this post, I just want to deal with the clutch questions.  I have Lakewood steel bellhousing, which I will use for the swap.  For the clutch linkage, the car has a 3 peed standard in it.  Can I use that clutch linkage, or do I need to change it?  If I need to change it, is the linkage specific to an FE engine, or is it generic to both SBF and FE?  Finally, any recommendations for flywheel, clutch, and pressure plate, for 650HP/630TQ?  Anything I've missed?
Thanks in advance,
Dan 

[JamesonRacing]

The stock Ford clutch linkage will work fine so long as you don't put in some ultra-high pressure plate behind the engine.  I use a McLeod single 12" diaphragm in front of a TKO600 and have gone 11.40s on the track using mostly stock clutch linkage.

[Nightmist66]

I would highly recommend gusseting the z bar. They are prone to cracking. Fairly easy job to do. I made the linkage rods on mine with heim joint ends and also installed the roller bearing kit for the clutch pedal pivot. HUGE improvement with the stiff long pressure plate I have. Here is the roller bearing kit if interested:


https://www.mustangsteve.com/product/bbk/

[Dan859]

Thank you both.  I think gusseting the z bar is a good idea, I'll be doing that.

[sixty9cobra]

certainly you wont be using the 6 cylinder z bar you will need one  for a FE.

[428kidd]

You will need the Fe Z bar for sure, as mentioned. Im not sure if the cross member is the same on the small block or 6cyl either. May need a big block cross member as well. I have a trans for a 66 , and a z bar and cross member if needed. Thanks Lance