12 bolt swap... what sway bar?

[84MonteCarla]

I don't have the 12 bolt in the car yet and I have an opportunity to get a rear sway bar off of an SS. Will this fit? I know that the 12 bolt is wider but will the LCAs be the same distance?

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

What is the 12 bolt's original application? Remember that there are two generations of 12 bolts in Chevelles (plus applications in B, F, and X bodies as well), and they are different widths. Plus, the arms come close to fitting, but they don't. I think the uppers need to be redrilled and the lowers are off a little too. I know Southside Machine used to sell conversion lowers, but I am not sure how they were different. There are also 2 rear axle assemblies with 12 bolt covers. The term 12 bolt refers to the bolts holding the ring gear to the carrier, NOT the axle cover. The Olds 12 bolt is not as strong as the Chevy, and has limited performance upgrades available. Then, there is also a 12 bolt truck rear axle which shares no parts with the passenger car model. I am not trying to confuse you here, but rather I am trying to give you some information to keep you from being screwed.

 

[84MonteCarla]

Thanks for the reply, your not confusing me one bit.

The 12-bolt (yes on the gear) is out of a 68 olds, too bad that is the "weak" one. I've got the Iceman 12-bolt uppers and the solid lowers so I think I've got what I need to perform this swap as far as the 4-link. I just didn't measure the old differential before I got rid of it so I don't know if they are the same distances...