'79 Front Stabilizer Bar

[Michael M.]

Thank you in advance for any assistance you all may provide.

I am seeking to find a 'correct as original' replacement for my present front stabilizer bar. I am not impressed with how it looks as it has been repainted black by a previous owner and has a slight bend in it that I think is out of place. I also noticed the driver's side link's spacer has been cut down to fit as well. So I'm OCD and want it to be proper as it was new, and my suspension has been giving me some vibration at speed, so I'm picking at all of the components. Today, though, I'm looking for a supplier that can give me a quality and 'correct as original' product. What is the diameter of the stabilizer bar that I should have received from the factory? Where can I get a 'correct as original' replacement? Where can I buy a pair of 'correct as original' stabilizer bar end links?
Please provide any useful information that you can. All of the commercial suppliers are selling aftermarket goods, that I'm not sure what they're selling.

[Joe L.]

Re: '79 Front Stabilizer Bar

Thank you in advance for any assistance you all may provide.

I am seeking to find a 'correct as original' replacement for my present front stabilizer bar. I am not impressed with how it looks as it has been repainted black by a previous owner and has a slight bend in it that I think is out of place. I also noticed the driver's side link's spacer has been cut down to fit as well. So I'm OCD and want it to be proper as it was new, and my suspension has been giving me some vibration at speed, so I'm picking at all of the components. Today, though, I'm looking for a supplier that can give me a quality and 'correct as original' product. What is the diameter of the stabilizer bar that I should have received from the factory? Where can I get a 'correct as original' replacement? Where can I buy a pair of 'correct as original' stabilizer bar end links?
Please provide any useful information that you can. All of the commercial suppliers are selling aftermarket goods, that I'm not sure what they're selling.

Michael------


The front stabilizer bar originally installed on your car unless you have FE7 was GM #3871318. This bar was used on many 1965 and later Corvettes, particularly 1965-74 big blocks. It is, nominally, 7/8" OD. There should be quite a few used examples of this bar around for sale. NOS would probably be very hard to find. As far as reproductions go, I cannot offer any advice as I am not familiar with them.

[Michael M.]

Re: '79 Front Stabilizer Bar

Thanks Joe, You've helped me on this forum numerous times and are a 'go to guy'! I hope to see you some time on the judging circuit, as I need this car judged for what is...and what isn't. I want to know. Thanks again.

[Duke W.]

Re: '79 Front Stabilizer Bar

According to my '77 vintage P&A catalog, the '73-'77 small block base suspension front stabilizer shaft (anti-roll bar) is 334930. The Chevrolet Power Manuals lists it as 13/32", and I'm quite certain this front bar carried over to the end of C3 production. This replaced the 3831971 3/4" bar that was on all small block base suspensions from '63 to '72.

These bars are very robust and about the only thing that could make them unserviceable is accident damage. Given the volume of mid to late C3s produced, I'm sure you can find a serviceable used one from used part vendors like David Sokolowski. Check ads in The Drivetrain.

Measure and report the diameter of what's installed on your '79 and post post a photo of the bar and end links pointing out what you this is damaged or incorrect.

Duke

[Joe L.]

Re: '79 Front Stabilizer Bar

According to my '77 vintage P&A catalog, the '73-'77 small block base suspension front stabilizer shaft (anti-roll bar) is 334930. The Chevrolet Power Manuals lists it as 13/32", and I'm quite certain this front bar carried over to the end of C3 production. This replaced the 3831971 3/4" bar that was on all small block base suspensions from '63 to '72.

These bars are very robust and about the only thing that could make them unserviceable is accident damage. Given the volume of mid to late C3s produced, I'm sure you can find a serviceable used one from used part vendors like David Sokolowski. Check ads in The Drivetrain.

Measure and report the diameter of what's installed on your '79 and post post a photo of the bar and end links pointing out what you this is damaged or incorrect.

Duke

Duke------


The GM #334930 was used on base suspension 73-74 Corvettes but not thereafter. Some of the mid to late 70's P&A catalogs are incorrect. It was corrected in later editions of the catalogs.

[Duke W.]

Re: '79 Front Stabilizer Bar

That's new information for me.

My neighbor has a relatively unmolested '77 Coupe that he's owned since it was a couple of years old. Tomorrow when he takes it out I'm going to measure the front bar diameter and report.

Duke

[Duke W.]

Re: '79 Front Stabilizer Bar

It measured 7/8". That's the front bar that is was base suspension on C2 big blocks, and I assume C3s until 1974, the last year of big block availability in Corvettes.

Duke

[Tom R.]

Re: '79 Front Stabilizer Bar

Buildsheets during this period, if recoverable, tell precisely what was installed on a given vehicle. The last three digits of the P/N is printed on box 21 and will read for a 79 base suspension 318. You can do the math but it comes as Joe notes above. Of course, same applies if the FE7 option is called out.

The front stabilizer bar originally installed on your car unless you have FE7 was GM #3871318.

BTW, in 77, buildsheets show the 318 for base suspension and the 596 bar ( 1 1/8") for FE7. I have several 77 buildsheets and they show the same part # in box 21.