correct z bar for early a body SB 4spd

They never made the early a body 9.5" in aluminum. They were all cast iron.
Great info! I will see if I can get the numbers, but it certainly looks like a swap was done at some point in time to a later 10.5 in bellhousing. The A833 4 spd is likely still the original from the 65 donor car though because it doesn't have a yoke tailshaft. And I've owned this car 20 years...