Front sway bar upgrade comments

[Rosstude]

[tstclr]

I too robbed the front sway bar from a 65 V8 Daytona to use on my former 6cyl 63 Lark. Does anyone make poly bushing for these swaybars?
I was told that the Avanti rear sway bar works on a Lark but I see someone has one on Ebay right now and he said it ruined his gas tank..

Todd

63 Lark 2dr Sedan

[N8N]

For a Lark, try to find a bar from a Super Lark/Super Hawk or early sedan. Dave Thibeault sells bushings and hardware.

I don't see why you couldn't just trim down generic old Energy Suspension poly bushings to fit in the stock retainers in the front. Maybe shape them on a belt sander? I would definitely either get the polygraphite ones or else use lots of "gorilla snot" in them. Maybe even drill them for grease fittings, and if there's any rust pits on the sway bar where the bushings ride, fill them with JB Weld and sand smooth before installation.

I've done both the updated front and sedan rear on my '55 coupe, with stock rubber bushings, HD springs, and the AutoZone (Gabriel) gas shocks, the ride is better than my new Impala.

good luck,

nate

--
55 Commander Starlight
62 Daytona hardtop

http://home.comcast.net/~njnagel

[Dick Steinkamp]

quote:Originally posted by N8N



I've done both the updated front and sedan rear on my '55 coupe, with stock rubber bushings, HD springs, and the AutoZone (Gabriel) gas shocks, the ride is better than my new Impala.

I've got only the updated front bar from a late GT Hawk in my '54 (no rear bar) with stock rubber bushings along with slightly shorter front springs. I noticed an immediate difference when I installed the new front bar. Much faster turn in. It's the way to go on '51 and up Stude suspensions.

-Dick-

[2R5]

I also put one in my 60 Lark ( which came with none ) I used one out of a late model Lark as well and boy did that make a differnce !

[Rosstude]

I had the poly bushings in my stash, I got them years ago for the 66, but never got around to putting them in. I seem to recall getting them from SI, could be wrong though. The poly ones I have are split. I used plenty of grease that I had left over from some work I did on a IH Scout. I plan on "testing" the handling out on Christmas day over the Ortega highway, on the way to grandmas house.


Ross.
57 Provincial
58 Transtar
66 Wagonaire

[imported_n/a]

It's good to know that there are some EZ upgrades to make 50's Studes handle better. I did much the same with my brand "C", using later factory sway bars from different models, and it was very worthwhile. What I'd like to know is, what applications(car/year/ model)are those Autozone Shocks you installed on your Studebakers made for? I've got a 58, and I'd like to round up some gas shocks for it. Thanks, Bobby

[Alan]

Gabriel Red Ryder Gas 82087

[Rosstude]

Try this link. Another helpful Studebaker driver at work has this very helpful list.

http://home.comcast.net/~njnagel/files/interchange.pdf

Click on the Studebaker Maintenance parts list. Shocks toward bottom.

Ross.
57 Provincial
58 Transtar
66 Wagonaire

[Roscomacaw]

Ross, that list is thanks to our own N8N who posts here daily!

Miscreant at large.

1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe
1957 President 2-dr
1955 President State
1951 Champion Biz cpe
1963 Daytona project FS

[N8N]

I'm just glad to see that people are using it! Honestly, I started it for purely selfish reasons - I wanted a list of stuff I could print out and carry in my glovebox when I needed to replace something. It kind of grew from there as I just got in the habit of writing down part numbers whenever JP got a belt, hose, etc. for one of his cars, and I also ended up doing some research online and in old catalogs on various spark plugs, belts, hoses etc... I think the whole thing actually started when I stopped by an auto parts store and found that they were having a going out of business sale, everything was 50% off - I called up JP and asked what spark plug numbers I could buy as they carried Bosch, not Champion, and the info was actually harder to come by than you'd think! So I started researching reaches, heat ranges, etc. and a big unwieldy mess was born

Either I did an awesome job collecting the data or else everyone's shy about giving feedback though, as I can't remember the last time anyone emailed me about a mistake on the list

Oh, one more interchange I need to add - with the old Jet City Studebaker alternator bracket and a Delco 10SI alternator, the best fit belt with an a/c pulley setup seems to be a 15570, not the stock 15565 (alternator was hitting my aluminum valve covers with stock belt.) Just in case anyone needs to know this...
nate

--
55 Commander Starlight
62 Daytona hardtop

http://home.comcast.net/~njnagel

[Dick Steinkamp]

quote:Originally posted by N8N

I'm just glad to see that people are using it!

Nate,
That is WONDERFUL! I haven't seen it before. Thanks for all the hard work. I've bookmarked it and will use it often.

Thanks!!

-Dick-

[N8N]

Dick,

if you like that, there's another one on Bob Johnstone's Avanti page, there's quite a bit more stuff on there although IMHO it isn't quite as easy to read.

BTW I am still working on the "brake" section so I'd take some of the master cylinder info with a grain of salt.

nate

--
55 Commander Starlight
62 Daytona hardtop

http://home.comcast.net/~njnagel

[Rosstude]

Somehow the words I had in my head do not look the same on the post. I meant to say someone (N8N) worked hard on that list.
Indeed, that list has been helpful, Thanks!

Whoo-hoo! I got two pair of welding Vice Grips, and a tube of Semichrome polish for Christmas. Happy Boy[]

Ross.
57 Provincial
58 Transtar
66 Wagonaire

[StudeDave57]

Hey RosStude-
How'd your wagon handle? I plan to do the same to my older cars, all with both bars- one or two will even get the bigger 1" front and 3/4" rear!!! My '57 Commander is just begging for something!!! She's already got the rear bar from a '55 President 'State'.
[8D]

StudeDave
San Diego, Ca

'54 Commander 4dr
'57 Parkview (it's a 2dr wagon...)
'57 Commander 2dr
'57 Champion 2dr
'65 Cruiser