Front sway bars

[Bruce302]

Here is a pic of the front sway bar as used on the Titus Firebirds in '69. It is 1" dia and uses the factory style ends. It mounts under the front frame rails and keeps a neutral (level) angle on the lever part of the bar.

You can also see the fabricated snubber under the top A arm to limit droop when jacking up the front end, supposedly for quicker pit stops (less pumps of the jack)

[Jon Mello]

Thanks for posting that photo, Bruce. I guess I assumed the T/G Firebirds had the sway bar over the top of the frame, such as the one seen on Robert Lodewyk's car. I see the chamfer on the aluminum blocks where the sway bar passes through. Is there a reinforcement plate inside the frame rail that the two bolts thread into? I think that taller spindle you have on your front suspension has something to do with the need for that fabricated snubber spacer.

[Sixteen Grand Sedan #56]

I'm sure we all understand what is being discussed here but I'm thinking the proper term is "Anti Sway Bar".

[Bruce302]

Robert, you could well be right, but around these parts, we don't waste our typing finger..................

Jon, Yes there is a threaded steel block inside the frame, and good point on the taller spindle that does raise the top A arm, But i have to tell you, it is neat to not have the wheels droop a lot when jacking.

Bruce.

[Jon Mello]

Yes, I can imagine that would be a great benefit.

Here are some more factory front (anti) sway bars courtesy of Frank Dihartce. From top to bottom the diameters are 3/4", 13/16", 7/8", 15/16", 1" and 1 1/16". The bottom two are lightly used and the others are NOS.



Dia.          '67-'68 p/n      superceded 2/69 p/n
3/4"          3892735              3962795
13/16"       3955782        unchanged thru '75
7/8"          3895235              3962796
15/16"       3935783              3962797
1"             3948987              3961763
1 1/16"      3927505              3962799

The superceded p/n sway bars have extra bends toward the end of the bar to keep them from shifting side-to-side.

Below is a close-up showing the factory style sway bar ends.



Below is the front sway bar bushing clamp #3935743, 2 bolts #189327, 1 1/16" bushing # 3927506, and reinforcement plate # 3927944 which goes on the inside of the frame after you drill out the factory threaded holes.



Top view of the same piece...



Exploded view. The reinforcement plate is the same one used for the factory rear sway bar.

[Bruce302]

I guess I assumed the T/G Firebirds had the sway bar over the top of the frame, such as the one seen on Robert Lodewyk's car. I see the chamfer on the aluminum blocks where the sway bar passes through.

Period pics show the T/G cars (anti) sway bar in the stock location. I personally like it there, it is well out of the way of the engine and accessories.
The red is correct too.

Bruce.

[Sixteen Grand Sedan #56]

I seem to recall that the Chaffey College 67 had TWO original front anti sway bars with the extra one mounted above the frame rail.

[Jon Mello]

Interesting, Robert. Did you see that in a vintage photo or on the car itself?

[Sixteen Grand Sedan #56]

The first time I saw the car was at the Palm Springs event, 1992 or so. I remember noticing how odd that arrangement looked. I know I took pictures but they are certainly buried in a box somewhere.

[Jon Mello]

Here are some photos of the sway bar bushing on Vic Edelbrock's Smokey car...

[Jon Mello]

Here's a view of a subframe which has a reinforcement plate installed behind the mounting area for the front sway bar.
I believe it was plug welded to keep it in place.


The reinforcement plate can partially be seen by looking through the spring pocket hole.