Topic: 1/2" versus 5/8" rear sway bar on 70 Mustangs

[rmaginnis]

I'd like to open the topic of rear factory sway bars.  I purchased my b302 in 1979. It had installed a 1/2" rear anti-sway bar. Not being the original owner I cannot say with any certainty that it came that way from the factory. I'm told that all 70 b302s had the 5/8" bar standard. Anyone have evidence to the contrary? Has anyone encountered a 70 stang (i.e., Mach I) that came with a 5/8" when it should have come with the 1/2" or vice-versa?  Did the 5/8" bar come standard on any other stang with the competition suspension package? Anyone have an early edition (pre-75) of the FPC that clearly indicates what bars and replacement bushings were  available?
Rick
 

[McKeever]

Rick,
Would the build sheet tell us?

[J_Speegle]

Rick,
Would the build sheet tell us?

Great idea.

So dragging out a few buildsheets it looks like the info we're focusing on is box 17 on line D. This should have some correlation with box 42 line D which is Suspension Packages -Heavy Duty


On 70 Boss 302's the box is filled with a box 17 "D" box 42 "D"

...............  Did the 5/8" bar come standard on any other stang with the competition suspension package?.............

Don't have any examples of the non standard rear sway bar being installed but the buildsheets indicate the same codes (so likely same parts) being installed on the 428CJ's Mach I's and sportroofs.

70 351 Mach I's (2V's & 4V's) have box 17 marked with a "C" and a box 42 with the "D"

Boss 429 copies I have show no code in box 17 but the same "D" in 42

Just for giggles the 428CJ Cougars have an "X" in box 17 while box 42 has the now familiar "D" so same package different rear sway bar?


Sorry don't have a 70 or 71 version of the MPC. Mine are all earlier or the pdf 75

Hope this helps a little

[rmaginnis]

Rick,
Would the build sheet tell us?

Stabilizer Bar Rear has a 'D' code in that column. The Front Stabilizer Bar has GY (Green Yellow), So, what color is the D code? Code is in Row D, col, 17. I also have the 'D' in col. 42.
Rick

[J_Speegle]

Stabilizer Bar Rear has a 'D' code in that column. The Front Stabilizer Bar has GY (Green Yellow), So, what color is the D code? Code is in Row D, col, 17. I also have the 'D' in col. 42.

Not sure if it always has to be a color (will ask the workers next time we sit down and chat) maybe a bin  or hanger identification where sway bars were organized at that station ?

Only have one example of a 70 Boss 302 rear sway bar mark and can't see how it would equal - D

[rmaginnis]

Jeff, based on your info the 'C' in col. 17 could indicate the 1/2" bar whereas 'D' would be the 5/8" bar? 
When I broached this topic on the b302 forum there seemed to be a concensus that the 428 '70 stangs came standard with a 1/2" bar which would be in contradiction with the 'C' versus 'D' theory. Hmmm.
Need a statistically significant sampling of build sheets and car types I think.
Maybe I'll post a thread for each car type with handling package 1) 351 2V/4V, 428, B302.

[J_Speegle]

Jeff, based on your info the 'C' in col. 17 could indicate the 1/2" bar whereas 'D' would be the 5/8" bar? 

One could assume that since there were different codes to direct the workers to different sway bars that would make sense. IF they were both the same then we would expect the same code I would think.

.......Need a statistically significant sampling of build sheets and car types I think.
Maybe I'll post a thread for each car type with handling package 1) 351 2V/4V, 428, B302.

Or just a thread discussing (in the 69-70 section) rear sway bar sizes and codes for different applications

[SCJSTU]

FYI nov 1969 Metuchen built 1970 Mach 1 428SCJ...

section D col 17 is D, col 42 is D
off my build sheet