addco rear sway bar install

[63dartman]

I am getting ready to install my rear sway bar on my 63 dart and I noticed in the install kit it has both a spacer and a spring that I assume goes in between the upper and lower end link bushings to provide the proper spacing distance between the end link bushings. My question is that it looks like it is either the spring or the spacer that goes there and not both. Does this provide different levels of control or do I have it all wrong. Finally if it is for different control levels which one should I use? Also there are to sets of bar mount bushings one is rubber and one is urethane, which one should I use for that also. I will probably call the addco hotline if I don't get any responses. Thanks for reading my long winded question.

 

[C130 Chief]

Hmmm, I didn't get as many parts with mine. I would think you are correct, the springs will reduce the bar's effectiveness substantially. Rubber bushings will also reduce effectiveness a tiny bit, and will be a bit quieter.

Now, which to install? First, I assume you have the Addco front bar installed already, and something on the order of .870 T-bars. I would use the solid spacers, and rubber bushings. If the car seems too tail happy then drop to the springs or increase front wheel rate.

Hopefully somebody has already installed the rear bar and will chime in. I plan to install both bars on my 65, but they are still in their boxes in the new parts pile.

 

[63dartman]

C130 thanks for the advice. Yes I just installed the front today, the front only had the spacers and no spring option also it only had urethane bushings so that's what I used. I am still running the original /6 torsion bars with the 360. I want to see how she handles with the front and rear bars before looking into new v/8 bars. Haven't taken her out on the road yet. Will do that tomorrow before starting the rear. I will post some pics here tomorrow. of the front and rear. I am a little concerned about exhaust interfernce, guess we'll see tomorrow. Thanks again.

 

[63dartman]

I took my car out for a test run this evening and I am really impreseed with the results of the front sway bar. It feels alot tighter and doesn't dip into the coners near as much I REALLY like it alot!! Pics will be up later tonight, I am going to install the rear and take pics of both.

 

[bthieson]

That is so awesome to hear. I ordered my front on monday, so it should be here next monday. I wasn't too optimistic, but it's good to hear that you notice a significant change. In regards to the torion bars, what would you recommend?

 

[63dartman]

Torsion bars are something I haven't played with yet. I should have bought some before the price went throught the roof.I am still running the stock /6 bars with the 360. I'm sure that if I went to a slightly stiffer bar it would improve the handling. My next upgrade will be shocks. I am thinking about getting the edelbrock ais all around.
One thing I noticed about the directions on the front addco sway bar is they tell you to mount the front bushing hangers on the frame positioned outside of the front flat area, if done like the instructions say you can tell right away that sway bar will not work as intended. I moved my hangers down to the bottom flat frame area and it seems to work fine. Now I am dealing with a 63 dart and I would guess that the frame was probably changed shortly after that. Just an fyi.

 

[C130 Chief]

You can find .870 bars pretty cheap. They were originally under 340 cars and 318 cars with either A/C or HD suspension. Here's a set on eBay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mopa...tegoryZ34200QQihZ013QQitemZ230138928548QQrdZ1

I think you'll be amazed at the difference between these and the stock /6 bars. Far more control but by no means stiff.

 

[Johnny Dart]

If you are going to swap in some new torsion bars go for some .890's.
These are the 383 bars.I have them in my 65 Dart.They work awesome,no more bouncy bounce,with a nice firm feel.

 

[Johnny Dart]

If you are going to swap in some new torsion bars go for some .890's.
These are the 383 bars.I have them in my 65 Dart.They work awesome,no more bouncy bounce,with a nice firm feel.

Shock wise,for the money it is hard to beat KYB's.I put them on every A-body I have ever had.Great shock,without breaking the bank.

 

[63dartman]

thanks johny dart, and C130 thanks for the link, I am going to watch the auction and see how much they go for. I have seen the kyb's and wasn't too sure if they were any good. I think I might go with those since they are priced lower.

 

[Johnny Dart]

thanks johny dart, and C130 thanks for the link, I am going to watch the auction and see how much they go for. I have seen the kyb's and wasn't too sure if they were any good. I think I might go with those since they are priced lower.

I think you will be very happy with the KYB's.