Straight rear swaybar on 78's

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DoubleV

Royal Smart Person
Feb 25, 2011
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Medina Ohio
I'm on the understanding that only 78 model years had the 'straight' style rear swaybars? Are these inferior to the later 'normal' rear swaybars? Was that why they were changed?

My 78 Calais comes standard with the better suspension ( whatever they called it in 78 ), but my straight style rear swaybar seems kinda puny compared to what I remember my stock F41 rear swaybar looking like that was on my 85 442.

So bolting on a later style F41 rear swaybar would be a nice simple upgrade if it would in fact be an upgrade....
 

pagrunt

Geezer
Sep 14, 2014
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Not sure for the reason for the change but they are heavier & a bit thicker diameter. In my opinion they're a better option as I have one on my '81. In the past I've only seen them on Olds as mine came of a H/O.
 

pagrunt

Geezer
Sep 14, 2014
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The later front and rear bars were larger. The best vehicles to look for them were the 83-88 Monte SS, Turbo Regals and Hurst/442 Oldsmobiles
I also have a rear bar off an SS (a '86 donated my frame I'm using). I just measured it & the older "straight" one, the newer one came in around .775" with the older one being around .990". I checked three different spots on each.
 

gnvair

Royal Smart Person
Sep 1, 2018
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Straight bar looks like it measures between .865 and .870
 

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DoubleV

Royal Smart Person
Feb 25, 2011
2,156
406
83
Medina Ohio
I wonder how it compares to an F41 'bent' style one in performance?
 

TURNA

Rocket Powered Basset Hound
Jul 24, 2009
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Socialist NY
I think the reason they changed them is with the straight bar on you can not service the rear
 
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DRIVEN

Geezer
Apr 25, 2009
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*CENSORED*
^^^That would be my guess too.^^^ I have a straight one on my '79 but can't remember what I pulled it off of. The rear cover can be removed but it's really tight. If I had the choice and had know better at the time, I'd go with the later style.
 
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