1967-69 Camaro Rear Sway Bars

[68 DANA]

I am currently restoring a 1968 camaro and fortunate to have the assistance of the original owner. The original owner confirmed that he had an original GM sway bar installed by the dealership but removed it later on during the life of the car. The use of the 1967 camaro rear sway bar - 5/8" diameter, GM Group Code 7.241; Part Number 3935776 would require modification to the driver's side shock mount. My shock mount has not been modified. It is possible that the 3935776 sway bar could have been used and its mounting modified to accommodate the 68 application.

Were there "other" rear sway bars available (over the counter) back in the day for the 68 - 69 camaro?

Thanks,

Dave

[firstgenaddict]

On the Trans Am Forum in the Camaro Research Group (the CRG) is a complete thread on the GM over the counter rear swaybar, it was a part developed for the TA racing program.
http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=8091.0

[68 DANA]

James,

Thanks for the link! A lot of discussion surrounding the 67 rear sway bar but no commentary if such an option was available with the 68-69 Camaro.

Dave

[Lynn]

It was never an rpo option. It is strictly (for all three years, 67-69) an over the counter item.

Like the cross ram.

[68 DANA]

Lynn,

Do you know if the rear sway bar was available for the 68 & 69 Camaro?

Dave

[Lynn]

Never factory installed. You could buy one over the counter, but that was it.
That is why I said it is like the cross ram. No Z/28 left the factory with a cross ram installed.
No Z/28 in 67, 68 or 69 left the factory with a rear sway bar installed.

[iluv69s]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lynn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Never factory installed. You could buy one over the counter, but that was it.
That is why I said it is like the cross ram. No Z/28 left the factory with a cross ram installed.
No Z/28 in 67, 68 or 69 left the factory with a rear sway bar installed. </div></div>

not to nitpick. nor does it matter... but didn't the 68 Z vert have a factory xram? maybe I am wrong??

[Lynn]

Yes it did. May have even had a rear sway bar, and I am guessing 4 wheel disc brakes, which were also not available in 68, but were in 69. But of course that was an exercise to build a special car for Estes which contained every race bred trans am part available.

[Kurt S]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: iluv69s</div><div class="ubbcode-body">not to nitpick. nor does it matter... but didn't the 68 Z vert have a factory xram? maybe I am wrong?? </div></div>
And it never left the factory that way. All done later by Chevy. Day two'd. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif

[iluv69s]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kurt S</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: iluv69s</div><div class="ubbcode-body">not to nitpick. nor does it matter... but didn't the 68 Z vert have a factory xram? maybe I am wrong?? </div></div>
And it never left the factory that way. All done later by Chevy. Day two'd. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif </div></div>

So now we are both nitpicking Kurt !! lol Thanks for the clarification !! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[68 DANA]

Does anyone know where I can find the part numbers for the 68 and 69 rear sway bars? Are they listed in any TA racing documentation?

Dave

[firstgenaddict]

GM only made the one for the 67 as far as I have seen, heard, been told. From what I have seen on original TA cars most teams fabricated their own. 70 nova has a factory rear sway bar with F41 (COPO LT1 novas received them) the 70 nova rear will physically fit in the camaro so if you get all the brackets etc the rear sway bar should fit as well.

[firstgenaddict]

Here is the high performance section of my 11-74 dated Chevrolet P&amp;A it lists the same parts 67-69.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/10/full-254-17499-img_0915.jpg

[68 DANA]

James,

Thanks for the enlightening information. The original owner recalls that the sway bar was installed by a GM Dealer in either late 69 or could have been the early part of 1970. He could not really recall. I originally thought that perhaps the 67 rear 5/8 rear sway bar might have been used but the mounting hardware modified to suite the 68 application or there was a 68 rear sway bar and hardware available over the counter.

The information you provided adds an additional possibility to the equation. Perhaps these were the parts used.

I appreciate your help.

-Dave

[68 DANA]

James,

In order to facilitate the installation of the sway bar as listed in the 11-74 dated Chevrolet P&amp;A catalog, do you know if it required the removal and replacement of the bottom rear leaf spring bracket? I have looked on-line for 1969/70 Novas with factory rear sway bars and from what I can see the rear sway bar is apparently mounted to the lower leaf spring bracket versus the frame assembly.

I will need to locate a 69/70 Nova factory manual to confirm.

Dave

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Yes, like this:

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h68/aacorp/Roof%20Deuce/RoofUnderneathfromrear_zps8678a9d5.jpg (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/aacorp/media/Roof%20Deuce/RoofUnderneathfromrear_zps8678a9d5.jpg.html)

[Schonyenko2]

Just a heads up, that 70 Nova sway bar set up is a very hard item to find, and expect to pay a pretty good price if you do.

[WILMASBOYL78]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 68 DANA</div><div class="ubbcode-body">James,

In order to facilitate the installation of the sway bar as listed in the 11-74 dated Chevrolet P&amp;A catalog, do you know if it required the removal and replacement of the bottom rear leaf spring bracket? I have looked on-line for 1969/70 Novas with factory rear sway bars and from what I can see the rear sway bar is apparently mounted to the lower leaf spring bracket versus the frame assembly.

I will need to locate a 69/70 Nova factory manual to confirm.

Dave </div></div>

There were no 69 Novas equipped with a factory rear sway bar. Starting in 1970 the F41 option included the rear sway bar, but this didn't show up until the spring of 1970. The Nova setup also involved welded supports near the underside of the trunk for attaching the &quot;drop down&quot; links that connected to the bar. I don't think the 67-69 Camaro bars had this feature. As mentioned the 70 setup is a &quot;rare bird&quot;...the Yenko Deuce boys and late 70 L78 Nova lovers will pay dearly for them, if you have the complete setup.

wilma

[Schonyenko2]

While I won't argue with the factory spec book, I do wonder about the difference between the Camaro, and nova trunk area where the verticle bar mounts would be welded, to the horizontal height of the sway bar. And the angle of the verticle bars. While it might all play together just fine, best to know for sure before spending big bucks on a system that's not quite right. FWIW

[68 DANA]

Ken,

As previously mentioned I originally thought that perhaps the 67 rear 5/8 rear sway bar ( GM Group Code 7.241; Part Number 3935776) might have been used with the mounting hardware modified to suite the 68 shock mount application or there was a 68 rear sway bar and hardware kit available over the counter. It doesn't seem that there were &quot;other&quot; rear sway bars available (over the counter) back in the day for the 68 - 69 camaro.

There is a kit for the 1967-1969 Camaro as listed in the 11-74 dated Chevrolet P&amp;A catalog as identified above. The sway bar kit part numbers are the same as the F41 suspension option on a 1970 nova. My frame does not have the brackets mounted to accept the vertical stabilizer bars the run from the rear sway bar to the underside of the frame rail.

Does any one recognize this rear sway bar assembly on this 69 Camaro? Is it aftermarket? It looks vintage.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/12/full-11459-19256-12boltrearsway.jpg

[WILMASBOYL78]

That may be a factory part...I'm not sure, but it is definitely &quot;way different&quot; than the 70 Nova setup.

wilma

[69VN]

Visually that doesn't look like a factory sway bar. Notice how it is mounted to the axle tubes. If it were mounted this way it would definitely be crushing the area along where the factory brake lines should be. Looking at the photo it doesn't appear that any brake lines are there. Just my opinion.

Sal

[earntaz]

I agree -- the same bar appears on my 71 Nova ... appears to be after market. TAZ

[68 DANA]

Craig,

Do you know if the sway bar on your 71 Nova is an early ADDCO sway bar? Apparently they were around back in the day.

-Dave

[earntaz]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 68 DANA</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Craig,

Do you know if the sway bar on your 71 Nova is an early ADDCO sway bar? Apparently they were around back in the day.

-Dave</div></div>
Let me see if I can get some pics of it and post it here ...

[1967Z28]

Dave, instead of having guys posting a bunch of images of their cars, why don't you post pics of yours? If your car ever had a rear sway bar on it, it would have physical evidence remaining and somebody here could tell you what was probably there. If you are simply wanting to add something because you happen to like it, no harm there. Just be upfront about it.

[earntaz]

Here are pics from my 71' Nova. I am sure the bar is aftermarket -- http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/12/full-10261-19434-feb_14_017.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/12/full-10261-19435-feb_14_018.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/12/full-10261-19438-feb_14_019.jpg
the brand I haven't a clue. Most of the parts were in the trunk when I got the Nova. Had to fab some of the pieces to install.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Def aftermarket.

[earntaz]

That what I thought Marlin -- I'm not ever sure I have it mounted correctly ... took a WAG at it and the pics show the result. If anyone has a better perspective on how to attach ... PLEASE let me know. TAZ

Also, excuse the dirt -- Nova is sitting out under the car port ... no room in the shop.

[68 DANA]

Craig,

Thanks for taking the photos. The mounting location to the frame rail makes sense to me now. The aftermarket sway bars that I have seen all mount in the same frame rail location. Seeing the photos has convinced me that my sway bar was aftermarket.

Much appreciated.

-Dave

[firstgenaddict]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 68 DANA</div><div class="ubbcode-body">James,

In order to facilitate the installation of the sway bar as listed in the 11-74 dated Chevrolet P&amp;A catalog, do you know if it required the removal and replacement of the bottom rear leaf spring bracket? I have looked on-line for 1969/70 Novas with factory rear sway bars and from what I can see the rear sway bar is apparently mounted to the lower leaf spring bracket versus the frame assembly.

I will need to locate a 69/70 Nova factory manual to confirm.

Dave </div></div>

3935773(4) were the left and right axle attachment plates.
They installed between the spring perch on top of the spring, the hole in the center was for the center locating bolt/stud in the leaf springs.

[firstgenaddict]

http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/Swaybarrear11.jpg

The brackets in the center at the top are the axle attachment brackets.

After studying the mounting points I do not believe they would interfere with a staggered shock arrangement the axle brackets install between the top perch and the spring, sandwiched in between with the pilot stud used to locate the bracket.

[1967Z28]

That sway bar equipment photo comes from the CRG Forum and was provided to me by Frank Dihartce. It was items that he personally owned. Please give proper credit when posting from other people and other websites. Thanks.

[16 Grand Sedan]

''After studying the mounting points I do not believe they would interfere with a staggered shock arrangement the axle brackets install between the top perch and the spring, sandwiched in between with the pilot stud used to locate the bracket.''
[/quote]

As I recall the 67 single leaf springs only have the &quot;pilot stud&quot; on the bottom of the spring not the top. Thus this bracket must go under the leaf spring.

[firstgenaddict]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Robert</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

''After studying the mounting points I do not believe they would interfere with a staggered shock arrangement the axle brackets install between the top perch and the spring, sandwiched in between with the pilot stud used to locate the bracket.''
</div></div>

As I recall the 67 single leaf springs only have the &quot;pilot stud&quot; on the bottom of the spring not the top. Thus this bracket must go under the leaf spring. [/quote]

Try to figure out how they would insert under the spring with any of the linkage having a remote chance of attaching.
They install over the spring to the front of the vehicle. The illustration which was with the kit is on the CRG.