Motorsport Strut & Valve cover interference

[d240zx2]

I've got a problem that Motorsport hasn't seen yet. The single aluminum, strut to strut bar rubs on my valve cover. I've checked the motor mounts and they are the correct height (compared to new), the bar brackets are correct, the bar is correct. The only thing that may be odd is the brackets that bolt to the engine block and the motor mounts may be different for 1970 Zs as compared to other, later years.

Shimming the bar brackets only dings the underside of the hood. Motorsport says that in the '72 & '73 Zs they have to work with, up to 1" clearance is achieved, with about 1/2" being the minimum.

Does anyone have a clue as to what the problem might be?

Regards,

[Zs-ondabrain]

Even with that explaination form MSA, That does'nt explain why your Z is different from theirs. How big of a shim are you using under the mount plates?

I had a similar problem with mine but all I did was put a washer under each plate to off set the bar just enough to lift it ever so slightly off the valve cover. At first, I just slid a 1/8" peice of rubber between the valve cover and the bar.

I still have a slight dent in the valve cover from when it would "rub" against the cover.

Dave

[sblake01]

Frank, this is off topic but I love the story of your Z. I'm not much into the lower VIN thing, but I once owned 00488 and sold it or actually traded it in in 72. I'm not looking for another car but if I could find that car and it was in decent enough condition, I'd probably buy it.

[ktm]

My strut bar rubs on my valve cover and I did exactly what Dave did at first.

[d240zx2]

Well, I did all of what you fellas have described. The shims put the brackets into the hood, and the rubber between the bar and valve cover moves around and eventually removes itself from the troublesome location.

Without hearing from MSA, I took the proverbial bull by the proverbial horns. I asked an expert. He'd not seen quite the interference fit I was experiencing, so was a bit puzzled as well. We finally put his press to work and deflected the portion of the bar by about 0.5 inch. It's a little "unique" to adjust, but appears to be equally as functional as a straight one.

I'll post another note on this after this week-end's track days should anything untoward happen as a result of the bent bar.

Thanks for your input. It's appreciated.

Regards,

[redneckz II]

:stupid: I paid for the strut brace from Motorsport Z and found that it was hitting on the valve cover. I use my Z as a Solo II/track car. It was hitting so hard that it cracked the valve cover. What I did was make some new mounts and raised the point where the bar bolts to the mount. It raised it enough to clear the valve cover and still works. Went to my best junk yard and got some scrap metal from them (L-shaped). It has the same thickness as the old mounts. Layed the old mount on it and traced around it (making the upright taller then what it was before) and cut it out with a sawsall. Marked the holes and drilled them out. Used it in the front and moved the Motorsport Z brace to the rear strut area. As of this time I haven't had any problem with it. Hope you can find a cure for your problem. Take care, Rich.:dead: