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By 2DRHRDTP57 - 18 Years Ago
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Guys, Recently came across these bars on E Bay, and was wondering if anyone can provide a reference for their function. Any feedback appreciated. Also what diameter suits a standard Y block. I believe they are available in 1 inch and 1 1/8 inch configurations. It looks as though they use the bumber iron mounting holes??? Y/N Regards John 
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By paul2748 - 18 Years Ago
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Despite what I read as your question, I'm not sure what info you are looking for as the items shown are anti-sway bars, They stabilize the car, mostly when cornering or turning. They have been stock equipment on Fords and other makes since the 40's. The items in question are heavier duty anti-sway bars that replace the stock bars.The heavier bar the less sway when cornering/turning. They usually mount in place of the stock bars, not on the bumper irons.
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By 2DRHRDTP57 - 18 Years Ago
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Hey Paul, Thanks for your reply, I am familiar with the function and form of a sway bar thanks, you may not be familiar with the original style of anti sway bar fitted to a 1957 Ford as it differs from that pictured dramatically, The design pictured is similar to what is probably fitted to your 56 T Bird. agreed, The style pictured to me, looks as though it is mounted to the bumper iron mounts when I look at my own 57 in the garage. The original 57 bar mounts behind the crossmember and is not a Grabber Bar design like that pictured. If anyone has experience with one of these I would like to hear your opinions of them. What diameter you would recommend for a Y block, I have been told the 1 1/8 bar can be a bit stiff with the original engine, only to be used with larger engine repowers, If any one can confirm this from experience I would be greatful. regards,
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By paul2748 - 18 Years Ago
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2DRHRDTP57- sorry if I misunderstood your question and certainly didn't intend to insult you, but it seemed like you were looking for some basic info. I am unfamiliar with a 57 sway bar set up, and assumed it was like my 56 and 54. The one pictured looks like it mounts like my 56 Bird and 54 Ford as it has the same type of frame clamp as both of my cars. In some ads, the seller does not always show the exact application, but only a generic representation.
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By 2DRHRDTP57 - 18 Years Ago
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Hey Paul, Dont sweat it, I appreciate your input, Out of interest what diameter bars are on your 54 and 56???? How do you rate the performance of each given that they are fitted with Y's ???? If you were to look at a heavier bar what are your thoughts on which diameter you would select. I am trying to get a handle on whether the 1 1/8 bar might be too stiff????? or not.... Regards
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By paul2748 - 18 Years Ago
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2DRHRDTP57- I will check on my 54 - I put a heavier bar on that, will do my Bird this winter. The 54 handles very good (only have the front). I will go out and measure the one on the 54 and let you know. I doubt you can go wrong even on the heavier one - it will just make the car corner flatter, it probably does not alter the ride by much, if any.
I got my bar from Thunderbird Southwest (Lance Herrington). He has bars for the sedans besides TBirds. His prices were very competitive, product is nice and fit without any trouble. I know of others with the same experience. 1-800-722-8697. I tried another place first (located in Oregon), it was a disaster. Bar would not fit, wouldn't take it back, wouldn't answer my emails and telephone calls. I finally had to file a complaint with the Oregon Attorney General who got my money back. Be warned.
What mystifies me is the side plates that are shown in your picture. I have never seen these on a sway bar set up.
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By MoonShadow - 18 Years Ago
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Those appear to hold the front sway bar bushing and bracket. I would think they would bolt to the bottom of the frame. Are those pieces for the mock up only? I would contact the seller and ask them. Chuck in NH
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By paul2748 - 18 Years Ago
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2DRHRDTP57 - I got a 1 inch on my 54. As I said, the car handles very nice on twisty/turney?? roads.
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By GREENBIRD56 - 18 Years Ago
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The torsion bar stiffness is proportional to the bar diameter to the fourth power. So the stocker on my bird (originally 5/8 diameter) would be .63 x .63 x .63 x .63 = .153. The 1.0 inch bar would be - 1.0 or 6-1/2 times stiffer than that and the 1-1/8 diameter to the fourth power is about 2.50 - or 16.3 times stiffer. It takes a very nose-heavy car to utilize that much stiffness increase (or a strong desire to try out autocross). This assumes the reaction arm - distance from the center of the torsion bar to the hole for the connection to the A-arm is the same length. Really stiff bars need really stiff supports to be effective, so most of them need urethane bushings and heavy brackets to make them work (not stamped tin). Because the bar in the picture has a longer reaction arm than the one on a stock set-up, size for size I think it would "feel" less stiff. The extra arm length is giving it more leverage to twist the bar when the A-arm deflects upward.
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By Hoosier Hurricane - 18 Years Ago
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Guys: Back to the frame brackets. Those are needed to put this type bar on a '57. The original '57 bar does not attach to the frame. It is mounted by two rubber blocks on each A arm, which makes for a very short lever arm. They are either 5/8 or 3/4 in diameter, depending on which model car they are installed. John
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By Jerryp - 18 Years Ago
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I have the aftermarket sway bars on the front and the rear of my 57 Fairlane 500. They did improve the handling dramatically over the original bars. The front bar on my car is the 1 inch. In my opinion it is still a little "soft". When i bought the kit from Thunderbirds Southwest a few years ago, the only option was the 1inch bar. I dont believe the 1 1/8" bar was available then. The sway bars wont affect the ride quality that much but will make a big difference in the amount of body lean in cornering. I have stock replacement shock absorbers on my car and the ride is nice and smooth. In my opinion, the 1 1/8" bar would not be too stiff on your car. Jerry P.
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