[chrisp]

I am having trouble locating the correct 15/16" sway-bar to frame bushings . I have the original brackets without the tabs that hold the bushing in , later years used the tab style . I ordered Moog #K5241 they are 2 5/16" tall and the metal holders that i have are only 1 1/2" deep . I know they will compress but not 3/4" , the hole in the Moog bushing is 3/4" once i install the bar in the bushing it becomes 2 3/8" too much to compress . I am in need of the correct info. to keep this stock , i do not want to change the steel brackets . Any help would be appreciated . Thank you

[AJD1964]

Hello chrisp,
I've been through that too. Other threads on this may help. I always wondered why they never reproduced "correct" bushings which would fit '64 brackets. I assume they are the same thru at least the '66 model year, which would justify demand? I may be wrong.
The only thing I could figure out is:
1. Use incorrect aftermarket sets. (That's what I got on my car now).
2. Figure out how to modify aftermarket bushings to fit the original brackets. (I'm playing around with that idea).
3. Wait & find NOS correct replacement bushings on Ebay. (Saw them a couple times, but you know how it is when people say something is correct for a '64, usually it's not true).
4. Maybe try Kanter products? They specialize in correct original vintage suspension parts. You can find them in Hemmings & probably the internet. I haven't tried them yet.
Sorry, not much help, but if you do find out more, let me know, I need a pair also!

[John V.]

I've never had to travel down this path. All I can go on at the moment is the MPC.

I have my original sway bar, brackets, & (I think) original bushings. But have never inspected them closely.

I believe the originals should have the p/n molded in, is that correct?

The MPC only lists a single '64 T6-T8 application. That would suggest that all Tempests used the same sway bar bracket and the same sway bar bushing. Unique to the '64 Tempest, not used elsewhere within Pontiac (may have other GM that year, especially A body).

The p/n for the '64 bracket is 383493 and for the '64 bushing it is 383492. The bushing is described as having a 3/4" hole.

The std. '64 Tempest bar was 7/8" dia. If you ordered the Special Order Option 20:1 Quick Ratio Manual Steering (also referred to as the Rally Handling Option), you got a 15/16" dia. bar. All GTOs also were supposed to get the 15/16" dia. bar.

So it is kinda odd that a specific Bushing is not listed for the GTO & Rally Handling Option applications. Either they all used the same Bushings or the one for the bigger bar wasn't serviced.

In '65, I believe the same two bar choices were available. This time the 15/16" bar was included with the Regular Order HD Shocks & Springs Option and still included on all GTOs also.

New parts & p/ns were issued for '65 and carried over to '66. There was a single Bracket p/n for all applications, but now there was a Bushing with a 13/16" hole for use with the 7/8" dia. bar and a 7/8" hole for use with the 15/16" dia. bar.

Both of these Bushings have a larger hole than the only Bushing specified for '64 usage.

I found these on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NOS-1...Q5fAccessories

The 9777481 Bushing was first used in '65 and specific for '65-'66 big Pontiacs with the std. 7/8" dia. bar (HD used a bigger bar and bushing).

But the 9777481 is described as having a 3/4" hole, so it may be nearly identical, if not completely identical, to the '64 Tempest Bushing even though a new p/n was assigned. I assume it must be different in some way or else would have been listed for the Tempest applications too, but I sure don't know how it may have differed.

Here's a Moog Bushing that looks like it could be similar.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Moog-...Q5fAccessories

Applications for '67 & up big Pontiacs, but might also be a closer fit to the original '64? They also seem to show the same Bushing for other early '60s GM.

Do either of these Bushings resemble the original '64 Tempest Bushing?

[chrisp]

No that bushing does not have a raised center , the 64 with the 15/16" bracket does not have tabs on the side to hold the bushing from moving side to side , there is a raised area in the middle to accept the raised portion of the bushing to hold in place . I am working on something now with a possible match .

[Pecosbill]

John, both of those look much closer to the original than do the aftermarket bushings that all of the parts houses seem to carry. I tried every source I could think of to try to find the correct bushings, but everyone seems to be carrying the large ones that Chrisp is referring to in his post and calling them "reproductions." I finally gave up and used aftermarket brackets and the larger replacement bushings, at least until I can find something else that works with the original brackets.

It seems to be like this with a good many parts. I've been trying to find a good reproduction body mount set, but no one makes one that has the correct size holes in the metal pieces or the correct two smaller sized bushing to fit mid-frame.

The body mount hardware sets that the houses sell is another story. First they cobbled together a bunch of hardware store hex-head bolts and washers and called that a kit. Now at least they're reproducing the correct looking bolts, but in the "kits" nowhere to be found are the two shorter bolts that are needed for the mid-frame mounts. All they offer are the longer ones and if you use those mid-frame they will poke up into your floorboard.

I'm on a rant, so I'll back off. It's just really frustrating when these parts come from folks who should know better.

[tempest455]

I used the stock TA bar and bushings.

[John V.]

Okay, do you like this one better?

http://www.metrommp.com/

Search for parts, choose 1960 Chevy Corvette, 5th part down in the list, their p/n BN-105.

[bigpop]

I recall IN-LINE TUBE had the correct bushings.Check it out. Larry B.

[3 Deuce 64]

NAPA has the correct bushings. I replaced them in the 65 hdt earlier this spring dana chasis 15 / 16 bushing napa part number 265-1924 around 3.00 each I'll try to post a pics installed later . Don

[chrisp]

We are getting somewhere now , i ordered a set from Gm , part # 3817573 , they are still available , fits 63 -67 Vette. I will post the results , it is amazing how much time is wasted from these part houses that think they have been selling the correct part and it is not . I even talked to Moog tech. What a waste of time that was . Thank you all .

[chrisp]

Called Napa , they say based on the computer pic. they have , no raised center . Could be a stock photo please post pic. if you could . Thank you

[chrisp]

No go with inline tube , they have the ones for use with side tabs on the holders .

[Pecosbill]

I tried the NAPA route and got the same thing that the other parts houses sell. Inline Tube's catalogue pic also shows the larger and wrong bushing. I called them a couple of months ago and the salesmen described to me what sounded like the wrong bushing once again.

Chrisp, I'm very interested to see what you get from GM. Please post pics and let us know how they work out.

[John V.]

Don, the NAPA ones don't appear to be correct for a '64 if I'm understanding the design.

They list two different ones for both '64 & '65, both show "To Frame w/ 15/16" bar w/ tabs on mounting clamps." I'm wondering if that is a mistake and one should say w/o tabs on mounting clamps?

http://www.napaautoparts.com/masterp...ont+Suspension

http://www.napaautoparts.com/masterp...ont+Suspension

I found these

http://www.zip-corvette.com/ProductDetails/ProductDetails.aspx?pid={b6bf7462-0377-492a-9b51-02570b72c1f8}&gid={bea2d005-6c29-46c5-9906-b0f5290c8efb}&GroupName=Sway+Bar+%26+Bushings&pnam e=63-67+3%2f4%22+FRONT+SWAY+BAR+BUSHINGS+(RESTO+POLY)&R eferer=&Alias=&ptct=SGR-SR&CTitle=&

and these

http://www.zip-corvette.com/ProductDetails/ProductDetails.aspx?pid={e59200ca-9cd8-44db-b721-5ae13d0dfab7}&gid={bea2d005-6c29-46c5-9906-b0f5290c8efb}&GroupName=Sway+Bar+%26+Bushings&pnam e=63-67+15%2f16%22+F41+FRONT+SWAY+BAR+BUSHINGS+(RESTO+P OLY)&Referer=&Alias=&ptct=SGR-SR&CTitle=&

I'd always heard the poly bushings are harder than rubber so would want to choose the 15/16" because they won't compress as much as the original rubber?

I got pretty excited when I found this listing on ebay, but then discovered the p/n must be a superseding p/n and from a poor pic, doesn't look quite right either

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NOS-1...Q5fAccessories

The p/n is a '67 or newer p/n from as best I can tell.

I will be very curious to learn what the p/n 3817573 look like and if they are close enough to the original '64 Tempest. Somehow, I suspect they will be a very generic "will fit" substitute. Keep us posted.

[John V.]

Not sure what happened to the links for the poly bushings. Cut & paste to your browser, they do look like what I think the '64 bushings looked like.

[3 Deuce 64]

I have 6 64s here that I would assume still have the original bushings in them I'll try to get some pics of those and the ones I put in the 64 and 65 to compair . Don

[chrisp]

The set i ordered a set from Gm , part # 3817573 is a loser , too small of a hole for the bar , i have another set coming from a new source , i think that these will be the closest i can find . Will reply when they arrive . Thanks

[AJD1964]

Attached is a pic of my originals.
Inside Dia Appox - 0.930" - 0.940" (hard to get exact with worn rubber).
Unfortunately, I can't find any numbers on them. Must have worn off.
Not sure if the "bumps" on the top center are "formed in" from wear, or if they may have been shaped that way.
Tony.

[chrisp]

pics. look just as mine . 15/16" sway bar .

[chrisp]

Here is set of urethane ones , 15/16" hole fit is good , offset nib on top of bushing is correct . 2nd pic. shows proper alignment , last pic. is reversed .