[694.1]

After a good deal of searching, still no joy. Is there a larger front sway bar that would easily adapt to a 55-57 Pontiac? I do know that the Chebbys, Olds & Buicks are different. Might they fit?

[Bill Eveland]

One thing to make it work better would be to find some poly bushings for it and also the link ends. Do you have a stock one and just looking for a larger one? I might have one leftover if you need one.

[694.1]

"Do you have a stock one and just looking for a larger one?"
Yes.

[694.1]

Bump

[694.1]

Anyone?

[694.1]

Found this on the web regarding '55-'57 BOPs, anybody have experience?

" In this project, a 3/4 inch 1956 Buick sway bar could be bolted in without modification.
A 1958-1964 Chevrolet Impala sway bar is almost a direct bolt on. Several sizes of sway bars are available. "

[56 Batwing]

What diameter is your sway bar? What model car do you have? I wonder if there is a different size bar for different models, (chieftain Vs Star chief or station wagon) My 56 safari has a bar that is just under 3/4" about 11/16". I wouldn't be gaining much with a Buick sway bar at 3/4 . I will be up in portland in the next few weeks, I"ll check a junkyard up there that has one and measure it.
My concern is the rear sway bar on our cars, I don"t any idea if anything that will be a direct fit or can be made to fit and look somewhat original. Any ideas?
Jack

[Poncho60]

Don't discount the effect of only a 1/16 inch dia increase. If you compare the torsional stiffness of two equal length straight rods of the exact same material, the 3/4 inch dia is approx. 1.4 times stiffer. (larger diameter in decimal equivalent times itself 4 times / smaller diameter in decimal equivalent 4 times = comparison of stiffness) .3164 for 3/4 bar / .2234 for 11/16 bar = 1.41.

This doesn't take into account end connections, length of lever arm bent into end of sway bar etc....just gives a rough idea of difference.

[694.1]

55-57 Ponchos & 54-56 Buicks used 11/16 bars & some '56 Buicks had the 3/4. The 1/16 difference would be felt by one who drives but it seems most guys use the 1" aftermarket bars for the '58-64 Chebbys that are supposed to be about 1 inch more narrow? I expect to do more research this summer.
And Poncho60, thanks for the math, yes- a small difference is amplified via spring rate.

[694.1]

Thread update:
The first photos of are a 1956 Buick (Anti) sway bar with a '56 Pontiac. It is just a tad narrow & will not bolt up without carefully heating & bending the ends The rusty one is the Pontiac, the clean one is the Buick.

[694.1]

These photos are of an aftermarket '55-'57 Chebby and the Pontiac bar. You can see that in order to fit, the Chev would need to be trimmed, bent & re drilled to bolt up.
Is nothing easy??

[Bill Hanlon]

Originally Posted by 694.1

Thread update:
The first photos of are a 1956 Buick (Anti) sway bar with a '56 Pontiac. It is just a tad narrow & will not bolt up without carefully heating & bending the ends The rusty one is the Pontiac, the clean one is the Buick.

A sway bar is basically a torsion bar. I would think that "heating & bending" wouldn't do it much good.

[694.1]

Critical point there Bill...All the digging that I have done seems to indicate that heating is safe if done out on the ends as opposed to where the most tension is -in the middle.
A couple of experienced Blacksmiths that I have spoken with feel that re forming a spring without effing it up is child's play. Guess we will find out!

[Poncho60]

If it makes you feel any better, I've never been able to find anything beyond stock for my 60 either. Pretty much resigned myself to using poly busings and end links to stiffen things up a little.

[694.1]

And for the Buick guys. These last photos are comparing the Tri-five Chevy with a '56 Buick. All that would be needed is to cut a little off the ends, flatten the stub & drill a new hole.

[694.1]

Back from the old time blacksmith. He knows steel like I know chips & salsa!
, Hope to install one Sat. The others will get sold but I am afraid that I am into them a little deep to profit much.

[Poncho60]

What dia. did you do? Just curious. Thx.

[694.1]

These are 3/4, the only bar that is close in application.