61BubbleTopBB

Hello and thanks in advance for any help. I have a 1961 88' with a 455 and TH200 and 3.91 gears. The car is an incredible cruiser but REALLY NEEDS sway bars! Because of the steering box being located rearward no parts dealers have been able to confirm that an Impala sway bar would fit. Can anyone help me with this? Thanks again.

Charlie Jones

Ninety Eight's , and station wagons had a thicker bar . Like 15/16 vs 1 inch .
They will fit an 88 . 61 & 62 are the same .
Put a parts wanted thread on this forum . Someone will have one .
A Chevy bar will not fit . Completely different .

Charlie Jones

Come and join the " Darksiders ' here :
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...ers-unite.html

joe_padavano

Impala chassis and suspension is completely different from Olds full size in those years. Nothing from the Chevy fits.

Charlie Jones

The addition of a larger front sway bar will make some difference .
The addition of a REAR sway bar will make MORE difference .
Check this thread by " NAS backyard " . Start at post #455 ;
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...nkyard-12.html
The whole thread is a good read for anyone with a '61 .

Another thing that can be done to improve " handling and feel " is the addition of a "96 Jeep Grand Cherokee steering box .
Bolts right in ! Needs a different coupling and " adapters " for the hoses . Both readily available .
This thread details installation in an " A " body , but it works as well for a " B " body . I know , I got one in my " 63 Dynamic 88 .
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...ap-w-pics.html

61Bat

I put a rear sway bar from a 68-72 GM A-body on my 61using some simple angle iron brackets attached to the stock lower control arms. It made a huge difference in the handling of my car. Some pictures are here in this thread-
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/other-oldsmobiles/116607-1961-starfire-holiday-hardtop.html