FE7 Suspension Question

[John M.]

On my '74 small block, my front sway bar is 15/16" and my front springs are stiffer, which would lead me to believe my car has the FE7 option. My rear spring was changed to a fiberglass spring, but according to some books, it should also have a rear sway bar. The GM assy manual only shows the sway bar installed only on big blocks not on FE7 cars. I would like to know which is correct. Thanks!

[Duke W.]

Re: FE7 Suspension Question

The '74 FE7 option did not have a rear anti-roll bar. The spring/bar/shock components were essentially the same at '64-'65 F-40.

For 1975 FE7 was changed to include a front 1/1/8" bar and 7/16" rear bar. Of course, this was only available with small blocks since '74 was the last year that Corvettes were available with a big block.

Duke

[John M.]

Re: FE7 Suspension Question

Thanks for the reply. So I can ignore what it says on page 99 of the TIM & JG.

[Joe L.]

Re: FE7 Suspension Question

Thanks for the reply. So I can ignore what it says on page 99 of the TIM & JG.

John-----


I don't know if you can ignore what the JG says since judges may well operate "under its authority". However, the JG is not correct if it specifies that 1974 small blocks with FE-7 were equipped with a rear stabilizer bar. At least, it's "mostly" incorrect and definitely incorrect in the case of your car.

Here's what I'm referring to: I have heard REPORTS that some late 1974 small blocks with FE-7 had the 1975+ FE-7 configuration which included both front and rear sway bars. I've never confirmed that this occurred, but it's possible. However, IF any such 1974 FE-7 installations were of the 1975+ configuration, then the front sway bar would have been the 1-1/8" bar. Since your small block car has the 15/16" bar, then it shouldn't have had the rear sway bar.