Hi

Can it really be that sway bar bushing for my Olds is not available, or can I use one from another car ? I believe the sway bar measures close to 1 inch.

Thanks

 

Rockauto has them, you can use the part numbers to buy them locally or a different source.

1964 OLDSMOBILE 98 6.5L 394cid V8 Sway Bar Bushing | Shop Now at RockAuto

 

Ninety Eights had a thicker sway bar than 88 models.
I installed a 98 bar on my 88 to make it corner better.
Some aftermarket bushings work better with the larger 98 bar than others.
I tried Moog, but they were totally unsatisfactory.
I then went with AC/Delco. They were a tight fit, but will work OK.

 

Got them from RockAuto… they are 19mm inside diameter, which I did not pay any attention to when I ordred 👎🏻😬 = dont work

 

Where sid you source the 1” inside diameter bushing then ?

 

I got the AC/Delco bushings from Rock Auto.
They are still too small but they work better than Moog.

 

Ok thank you.

I havent tried to put the new ones on. Just looking at the new ones with ř19mm vs the sway bar which is ř25mm (1 inch) made me give up…. Buuuut I could give it a go to confim weather it will work or not.

 

Let me see if I can add some "food for thought"......

The front sway bar bushings should "pinch" on the bar at normal ride height. This is to dampen front end rise on acceleration and dampen front end drop on braking. This could affect "under steer" on hard braking situations. The "19mm" (3/4") bushings are for the 13/16" front sway bar. The 1" bar would take bushings that would measure slightly less than 1" (15/16" ?).
The bushings will also protrude above the U shaped clamp. This to give the "pinch" to dampen sudden rise and fall of the front end. I would tighten up these bolts when sitting at ride height.

In the late 60's, Oldsmobile had a pamphlet for "Performance Tuning the W-Machines" In that publication were instructions to use the 13/16" bar and modify the bushings to allow "free movement" of the front suspension. This modification was to allow the front end to rise and that would transfer weight to the rear tires for traction. Different drag teams used different methods.
Reaming the bushings was one method. If you have ever tried drilling a precise hole in rubber, you know. I am sure people tried using a Dremel. In my case, I found that a dab of grease, a couple washers and slightly longer bolts made things work freely.

 

Very interesting. Thank you for your input

 

A sway bar is basically a torsional spring for body roll, it does not affect front to back weight distribution or how the nose dives or front end raises.

 

Which brand did you buy?

I you bought Moog, return them and get AC Delco.
Smear them with liquid soap when installing them.

 

Oldcutlass, you are correct that the bar is a torsional spring to control body roll. Resizing the front stabilizer bar (sway bar) bushings can reduce effectiveness of the front stabilizer bar. This can effect weight transfer from front to back tires on rapid acceleration. This info and Blueprinting comes from the GM History Center 1970_Oldsmobile_442_Info_Kit.pdf on page 138, which shows it as page 14 of the "Super Tuning and Blueprinting Spesifications pamphlet dated 1970". This document was #000025244 which was changed to #24690. Disclaimer: modification is for Drag racing.

To be clear, I wasn't suggesting people open up the bushings for street use. Merely that there is some "pinch" on those bushings to help control front end movement up and down. Most people may think they have the wrong bushings because they pinch on the stabilizer bar.

 

I got MOOG K8204 ) … I am not in the US, so it does not make sense returning them.

I found a pair of universal 15/16” poly bushes with brackets that should work in the bolt holes. I also found the AC DELCO 45G0502 15/16” is fitted to alot of GM cars. I will see if I can source here.

 

ACDelco 45G0502 Suspension Stabilizer Bar Bushing Kit | eBay