Topic: correct swaybar?

[csgt428]

When I restored my 68 CSGT "S" 390 with 4-sp, PDB, PS (non AC) and the GT option a few years ago it was missing it's sway bar. It had front coil springs with green and yellow stripes which I believed to be original (I've owned the car since 1976 and sitting motorless since 1978). I found a .95" sway bar with green and yellow stripes and put it on the car. Was this the correct bar? I assumed it was because of the color stripes matching the coils but after searching here it appears the bar was for the competition suspension option which was not listed on my Marti. I've decided to return the car to it's original configuration (presently has incorrect drivetrain) and would appreciate any help.
Great Site! I'm really happy to have found it. Looks like a great site for restoration info. 

[67gta289]

Probably not correct.  I'm quite sure not correct for 67, but for 68 I can't be as sure. Some pertinent threads:

http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=8847.msg51605#msg51605

http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=2193.0

Also I'm sure others will chime in.

Regarding stripes the colors matching color codes between components would be unlikely.  There were say three versions of the sway bar.  There were probably 20 for front springs.  A 390 GT might have different springs whether FB or vert, AC or not, thermactor or not.  Each would have different spring stripes.  The sway bar would all be the same.

[J_Speegle]

The color markings match the markings typically found on a GT front sway bar (has nothing to do with any other color marking combinations) though the diameter is not normal for the standard GT application. Its possible that the provider marked some sway bars incorrectly and they were shipped to the plant and installed since workers on the line would only look at the colors before slapping them in a car.  Of course it can be difficult to measure a sway bar and things like rust and goop can add to the size if you didn't get it down to metal before you measure  Just in case  

Looking at 1968, Ford didn't list competition suspensions in their parts catalogs but showed a .858 as being the standard GT  or improved handling front sway bar and the .958 as being installed in a K code 67  and GTs with the "maximum handling package" (what we refer to as the competition suspension in 67.  68 289 4V GT's used an even smaller front sway bar (from a page dated Feb 68)


Its a stretch - but a possibility IMHO. I would change it out though, as you did, since you were not the first owner and can be really sure its original to the car. By 73 allot of things were altered and changed on these cars especially when they were big block 4 speed GT's for example



And welcome to the site - yes we have a very narrow focus but its on purpose. Hope you find lots of things to help you in your projects

[csgt428]

Probably not correct.  I'm quite sure not correct for 67, but for 68 I can't be as sure. Some pertinent threads:

http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=8847.msg51605#msg51605

http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=2193.0

Also I'm sure others will chime in.

Regarding stripes the colors matching color codes between components would be unlikely.  There were say three versions of the sway bar.  There were probably 20 for front springs.  A 390 GT might have different springs whether FB or vert, AC or not, thermactor or not.  Each would have different spring stripes.  The sway bar would all be the same.

Thanks, I've already seen both those threads. I didn't see any mention of paint stripes on the sway bars in either for the years discussed.

[csgt428]

The color markings match the markings typically found on a GT front sway bar (has nothing to do with any other color marking combinations) though the diameter is not normal for the standard GT application. Its possible that the provider marked some sway bars incorrectly and they were shipped to the plant and installed since workers on the line would only look at the colors before slapping them in a car.  Of course it can be difficult to measure a sway bar and things like rust and goop can add to the size if you didn't get it down to metal before you measure  Just in case  

Looking at 1968, Ford didn't list competition suspensions in their parts catalogs but showed a .858 as being the standard GT  or improved handling front sway bar and the .958 as being installed in a K code 67  and GTs with the "maximum handling package" (what we refer to as the competition suspension in 67.  68 289 4V GT's used an even smaller front sway bar


Its a stretch - but a possibility IMHO. I would change it out though, as you did, since you were not the first owner and can be really sure its original to the car. By 73 allot of things were altered and changed on these cars especially when they were big block 4 speed GT's for example



And welcome to the site - yes we have a very narrow focus but its on purpose. Hope you find lots of things to help you in your projects

The bar was in very good condition and the .95" and green-yellow stripes were easily discerned....Don't know for sure what year bar it is, though from looking around I believe it to be a 68 bar.  So if I understand correctly, My 68 390 GT should have green-yellow marks on a smaller .858" bar? Also... are the green-yellow marked springs correct? From my reading here I seem to remember the green-yellow were the highest rated at 1820? Would that make my coils the competition suspension ones? One more thing, If I decide to leave the .95 bar on are the inner sway bar brackets pictured the right ones to use? I ordered new bushings for it and used their brackets which don't have the wrap around....

[hopeto]

I'd be interested in that bar if your decide to change it out. My 67 K does not have the right bar on it. You can email me direct at jimmyaustin@verizon.net
Thanks, Jimmy Austin

[csgt428]

I'd be interested in that bar if your decide to change it out. My 67 K does not have the right bar on it. You can email me direct at jimmyaustin@verizon.net
Thanks, Jimmy Austin

Thanks, Jimmy, I'll keep that in mind but kind of doubt I'll get rid of it...sorry. I DO have one "extra" .95 bar here not sure what its for but suspect it's a 69+->73? bar. If on the other hand it's correct for your 67 I might part with it since I don't have a 67 K car for it. It has green and purple? marks on it.

[krelboyne]

My research shows that the front sway bars between small block and big block to be different, for the same diameter.

[J_Speegle]

.......... So if I understand correctly, My 68 390 GT should have green-yellow marks on a smaller .858" bar?

Just reporting what Ford was using to service the original bar with in 68. Since the page was printed while they were still building the cars one might assume that they would replace with what they were using on the line - always a slight chance of a misprint.

Also... are the green-yellow marked springs correct?

Have no way to confirm. Have no 68 390 4 speed coupe buildsheets. Did check 67's for the heck of it and the green yellow front springs were installed on much heavier, thermactor equipped  and better equipped cars than your - based on the buildsheets I have. Looking through an April 68 front spring sheet currently to see what it decodes out to for a 68 390 4 speed coupe with only ps and the GT suspension package


Up date - Yes that April 68 page confirms that Yellow and Green is what they would have serviced your car with and as mentioned before - since they were still building the cars its likely IMHO to be the one original to your car. No reference to any " competition suspension"  just the normal heavy duty springs (which in Ford speak that year I believe meant GT if ordered that way. Buildsheets used the term G.T. Equip. Grp.

One more thing, If I decide to leave the .95 bar on are the inner sway bar brackets pictured the right ones to use? I ordered new bushings for it and used their brackets which don't have the wrap around....

Those brackets look similar to the ones Scott Fuller makes

http://www.scottfullerreproductions.com/catalog/item/4595229/7578393.htm

My research shows that the front sway bars between small block and big block to be different, for the same diameter.

Scott - tell us more. Guessing (have to ask) if this applies to Mustang also

[krelboyne]

The largest front sway bars are typically made for the big block (390 / 428CJ). But, for the 3/4 size there are different Ford numbers for big block and small block.

[67gta289]

My research shows that the front sway bars between small block and big block to be different, for the same diameter.

If same diameter, by "different" are you talking the shape/contour, presumably for oil pan clearance?

The Jan 67 MPC (yes I know the original question was about 68) lists:

C7ZZ-5482-A - 0.698" dia - 6 & 8 cyl 289
C7ZZ-5482-B - 0.728" dia - 8 cyl 390
C7ZZ-5482-C - 0.858" dia - GT with improved handling package
C7ZZ-5482-D - 0.958" dia - GT with maximum handling package

There is a difference in the standard bar between 6/SB and BB.  For the GT options there is only one shape/part number.

[hopeto]

Is the green and purple marked .95 bar the same/similar configuration as the green/yellow bar? I'd might be interested in that one. Any help from folks on the forum if appropriate for a 67 K would be appreciated. The bar I currently have is an aftermarket performance piece so absolutely no help.
I'd be interested in those brackets with the wrap arounds if your not going to use them.

[Bob Gaines]

The largest front sway bars are typically made for the big block (390 / 428CJ). But, for the 3/4 size there are different Ford numbers for big block and small block.

Not typically. It had to do with suspension package as much or more then engine size. The 15/16 bar (largest 67-70) was used on high performance SB'S and BB 's. All GT350 got the same sway bar as the GT500 for instance.  The cars that got the 15/16 bar in 67/68 for instance were decided by suspension package not engine size for the most part.

[Bob Gaines]

If same diameter, by "different" are you talking the shape/contour, presumably for oil pan clearance?

The Jan 67 MPC (yes I know the original question was about 68) lists:

C7ZZ-5482-A - 0.698" dia - 6 & 8 cyl 289
C7ZZ-5482-B - 0.728" dia - 8 cyl 390
C7ZZ-5482-C - 0.858" dia - GT with improved handling package
C7ZZ-5482-D - 0.958" dia - GT with maximum handling package

There is a difference in the standard bar between 6/SB and BB.  For the GT options there is only one shape/part number.

The largest bar was different in contour (67/68 )compared to other bars . The 15/16 largest bar also used a non typical end link kit different(at least for 67 ) then regular Mustang also. 

[Bob Gaines]

FYI the 67/68 15/16 swaybar is different in contour compared to the 69/70 15/16 swaybar. This has been discussed before .