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Old 07-29-2020, 09:27 PM
tjs72lemans tjs72lemans is offline
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Default 72 GTO rear sway bar size?

I called Goodmark about their rear sway bar for the 72 GTO. They said it's an exact replacement for the stock GTO, but didn't know the diameter. I want to buy one, but want to make sure it's smaller than what is on my 72 Lemans sport convertible. Can someone tell me what that size is?

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Old 07-29-2020, 09:45 PM
gtospieg gtospieg is offline
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I'm pretty sure the stock bar was .875

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Old 07-29-2020, 09:46 PM
'ol Pinion head 'ol Pinion head is offline
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7/8", unless the '72 was a WW5 optioned car.

there are two different designs of the "64-72" 7/8" rear swaybar. Its all in the cosmetics. The earliest version had a much more gentle curved bend to the center, where as the much much more common version drops to more of a V in the middle under the center housing of the rear. The early style was used on '64 442's & possibly on '65 442's. The latter style (which is reproduced) was used up through the '60's & on 70-72 GTO's.

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Old 07-30-2020, 08:39 PM
tjs72lemans tjs72lemans is offline
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Thanks to all.

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Old 07-31-2020, 11:25 AM
tjs72lemans tjs72lemans is offline
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I checked my Lemans sport convertible front bar and it is only 7/8" as stock. Would I be in trouble putting a 7/8" bar on the rear? I really don't want to pull the front bar again after paint and new bushings. Or, should I be looking for a smaller bar in back instead? Seems like it would be too small to do any good.

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Old 07-31-2020, 11:55 AM
Mr. G Mr. G is offline
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Awhile back someone here posted a guide for matching front and rear sway bar sizes and iirc the rear bar was usually smaller in diameter than the front bar. The 1970-72 GTOs came with 1-1/8 front bar and the 7/8 rear bar mounted on the bowed trailing arms. I have these size bars available if you need a set.

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Old 07-31-2020, 12:12 PM
'ol Pinion head 'ol Pinion head is offline
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7/8 rear is as small as the A-body rear bar came, not like on 2nd Gen Birds where they varied from 5/8 to 7/8". Personally on an A body I wouldn't run a rear swaybar without at least a 1" front bar.

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  #8  
Old 07-31-2020, 01:32 PM
Mr. G Mr. G is offline
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That is boxed trailing arms. Not bowed.

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Old 07-31-2020, 06:05 PM
tjs72lemans tjs72lemans is offline
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I actually boxed my trailing arms with the kit (welded them in) thinking I would be adding a sway bar. Now I'm not sure, since the front bar is only 7/8". My other option would be to replace the front with the 1 1/8" and buy different bushings and brackets (bought new stock ones and installed during resto). Dang! I've also read about the sway bar binding up the rear because it can't move around freely as needed. Nothing ever seems easy!

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Old 08-01-2020, 08:19 AM
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The Champ The Champ is offline
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The question is - do you want to improve the handling.

I've got the 1.25" WS6 bar on the front of my GTO and an actual NOS rear bar that I ordered from the Pontiac dealer back in the late 90's - they were still available back then.

You're really not talking about a lot of money here. Some new bushing and brackets and a couple of bars...

These cars are never done. We're always doing something to them. I did a 3 year frame off that started in 1992 after buying my '64 convertible for $600.00. I had over $20,000 in it before I ever drove it (fall of 1994 - still not done). Over the years I've replaced the 8.2 rear with a 12 bolt, added the rear bar, replaced the front bar, pulled the #'s matching 389 with a 30 over 455, put in a new griffin aluminum radiator, added Wilwood disc brakes, Global West tubular A arms, Koni Coilovers, changed gears, went to 17" rims and tires....

It's part of the fun!

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Old 08-02-2020, 01:36 PM
69gtocv 69gtocv is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tjs72lemans View Post
I actually boxed my trailing arms with the kit (welded them in) thinking I would be adding a sway bar. Now I'm not sure, since the front bar is only 7/8". My other option would be to replace the front with the 1 1/8" and buy different bushings and brackets (bought new stock ones and installed during resto). Dang! I've also read about the sway bar binding up the rear because it can't move around freely as needed. Nothing ever seems easy!
The PO put a 1 1/8" front bar on my 72 vert. I ended up putting boxed rear control arms and a UMI 1" rear bar on it. Just took it for a nice ride through the mountains yesterday and commented to my wife how nice the car drives now than before. DO IT!

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