CRG Discussion Forum
Model Specific Discussions => Trans-Am Camaros => Topic started by: Jon Mello on May 31, 2011, 10:08:54 PM
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These photos are courtesy of Robert Lodewyk. They show the unrestored, "as-found" state of his original front sway bar and associated hardware. These pieces are on his ex-Gerry Gregory Trans-Am Camaro. This car was built by Dick Guldstrand's shop and the car was campaigned in the four West Coast Trans-Am events during the '69 season. Thank you Robert for sharing these photos with us.
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Three more photos...
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Two more...
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Last ones from Robert...
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/RJL20180.jpg)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/RJL20181.jpg)
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That is a very nicely made piece. I like the positive stop on the slide adjuster.
Oh and J-56 brakes, Nice.
If you get a chance Robert, can you check if yours have a small number on the machined pad that would identify the matching halves.
Mine do, but I'm not sure if it is general or judt mine.
Sorry to go off on a tangent, we should start a Brake thread.
Nice sway bar.
Bruce.
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That is one heavy-duty bracket on there...
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Thank you Jon for posting these pictures for all those interested to enjoy.
Bruce; I have checked the aluminum blocks but they are not numbered. Certainly worn but not numbered.
Since these pictures were taken I have disassembled the front subframe for repair and restoration. I just hated to do that because I just love the originality and "patina' that it had.
Robert
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Love the twin pin J56's and the offset bushings for the Upper Control arm, nice, maybe we could get some dimensions on the busings?
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Further information, the front sway bar diameter on this car is 7/8". To make the sway bar act like a thicker, stiffer bar you would move the end link forward (away from the end and toward where the sway bar crosses the frame).
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More front sway bars from Robert Lodewyk, 4 GM pieces and an aftermarket piece. His notes...
"The bottom two are 13/16. Note the one must be a pre '69 version since it does
not have the limiting couplings (bushings) on it. The other one with the bent bolt
on the end came off a wounded 1969/70 L78 Nova. The middle one is 7/8. The
other two are both 1-inch. The one with the aluminum blocks is one that came off
an old '67 Camaro race car I had. There are not any numbers on the aluminum blocks."
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Another view showing the ends of the sway bars. GM sway bar ends have a very identifiable style, much different than aftermarket bars.
Robert feels this aftermarket bar (at far right in this photo) is probably an Addco piece.
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Beginning some time in 1969, some Camaro (F-body) and Nova (X-body) car got these extra bends incorporated
into the design of their sway bars. These bends served to restrict any potential side-to-side movement of the
sway bar. Prior to these bends being designed into the bar, limiting bushings were clamped in place to serve the
same purpose. It is thought this was done only on early '69 cars or on sway bar sizes (diameters) that had not
yet had the extra bends designed in (some early '70s cars).
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A couple of shots of the aftermarket 1" sway bar with its custom-made aluminum bushing. It is unusually
made with an off-center hole through the two separate aluminum blocks. This item came off a legitimate
'67 Z-28 which, when found by Robert, had been abused as a circle track car. Robert thinks that the car
had road racing history prior to that.
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Another couple of views...
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Here's a comparison shot between the end of a GM sway bar (left) and what is believed to be an Addco sway bar (right).
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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)
(http://i56.tinypic.com/fl9hxy.jpg)
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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.
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I'm sure we all understand what is being discussed here but I'm thinking the proper term is "Anti Sway Bar". ;D
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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.
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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.
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/Frank/swaybars1.jpg)
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.
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/Frank/swaybars2.jpg)
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.
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/Frank/swaybar3.jpg)
Top view of the same piece...
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/Frank/swaybar4.jpg)
Exploded view. The reinforcement plate is the same one used for the factory rear sway bar.
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/Frank/swaybar5.jpg)
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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.
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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.
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Interesting, Robert. Did you see that in a vintage photo or on the car itself?
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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.
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Here are some photos of the sway bar bushing on Vic Edelbrock's Smokey car...
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/Smokeybushing1.jpg)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/Smokeybushing2.jpg)
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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.
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/Swaybarmountingarea.jpg)
The reinforcement plate can partially be seen by looking through the spring pocket hole.
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/Swaybarreinforcementplate.jpg)