7/8" HD Sway Bar - When Did It Come From The Factory

Discussion in 'General Maverick/Comet' started by Acornridgeman, Aug 6, 2006.

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  1. Acornridgeman

    Acornridgeman MCCI Wisconsin State Rep Moderator Supporting Member

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    Carrying over a discusion from another thread. When did the 7/8" sway bar become available from the factory?

    I just parted out a 1972 V8 Grabber that had the bigger 7/8" bar. Everything on this car was 100% stock, and the car was taken off the road around 1981. So I'm pretty sure it is the original sway bar. T.L. has stated that the bigger bar was not available until 1975 on the Maverick.

    What does everyone else say? Is my bar stock or was it added? :huh:
     
    Acornridgeman, Aug 6, 2006
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  2. grbmaverickmo

    grbmaverickmo That Maverick Guy

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    The comet gt I cut up yrs ago had the bigger one and it was a 71
     
    grbmaverickmo, Aug 6, 2006
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  3. T.L.

    T.L. Banned

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    I am just going by what a Ford book that I have says. You never really know for sure when it comes to Ford. About 95% of all the Mavericks/Comets you find in the junkyards have the smaller bar...
     
    T.L., Aug 6, 2006
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  4. Greengrabber

    Greengrabber Member

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    The Ford Parts Book I have is for cars up to 72 and it indicates that both sizes were available for 70-72 with all engine sizes. The smaller with the std suspension and the larger with the HD suspension. The smaller was color coded with 2 pink and 2 orange paint stripes, the larger with 2 green and 2 orange stripes. My car is an original 71 with HD suspension and has the larger bar and the paint stripes match the book.
     

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    Greengrabber, Aug 6, 2006
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  5. Acornridgeman

    Acornridgeman MCCI Wisconsin State Rep Moderator Supporting Member

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    That is awsome detective work!

    (And more paint marks for Dan to add to his car!) ;)
     
    Acornridgeman, Aug 6, 2006
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  6. Greengrabber

    Greengrabber Member

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    Ya, I wouldn't want to overwork him so I'll just feed him a few at a time, let's see, next will be the color codes for the driveshaft.......
     
    Greengrabber, Aug 6, 2006
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  7. T.L.

    T.L. Banned

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    Well that's a new one on me. I have never seen an early Maverick with a 7/8" front bar from the factory, and a book I have says that in '75, Mavericks were available with the HD suspension...
     
    T.L., Aug 6, 2006
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  8. Greengrabber

    Greengrabber Member

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    T.L....what book do you have? Mine is the Ford parts book for all 65 -72 car lines, so I can't tell part numbers for 73 up, but I do agree that HD suspension was available in 75, all years for that matter.
     
    Greengrabber, Aug 6, 2006
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  9. Ronald Hopkins

    Ronald Hopkins Member

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    I bought a new 71 Comet GT with the handling suspension package it had a 7/8" bar and 4 leaf springs.
     
    Ronald Hopkins, Aug 7, 2006
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  10. Acornridgeman

    Acornridgeman MCCI Wisconsin State Rep Moderator Supporting Member

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    In the factory handling package - did they also have spring rubbers in the front springs?
     
    Last edited: Aug 27, 2010
    Acornridgeman, Aug 7, 2006
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  11. littleredtoy

    littleredtoy Seth

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    Uh, Dan Hines....





    .....make a note of this for the book yet to be published. I remember mine having orange paint daubs. It was the small one-regular suspension.

    Seth
     
    littleredtoy, Aug 7, 2006
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  12. Ronald Hopkins

    Ronald Hopkins Member

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    Mine did not have the spring rubber (lift blocks). It did seem to have stiffer springs on the front than some Maverick Grabbers that were around. I had the only Comet GT in the area.
     
    Ronald Hopkins, Aug 7, 2006
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  13. mean_maverick

    mean_maverick Senior Member

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    I Parted Out A 72 Grabber That Had Those Blocks In It As Well. I Just Thought Someone Added Them Over It's Lifetime...
     
    mean_maverick, Aug 7, 2006
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  14. Craig Selvey

    Craig Selvey Indiana State Rep - MCCI

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    I am sure those rubber "knuckle busters" are not factory....but an added on item.
     
    Craig Selvey, Aug 7, 2006
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  15. Acornridgeman

    Acornridgeman MCCI Wisconsin State Rep Moderator Supporting Member

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    I have seen them on a couple cars - that is why I was hoping that someone that bought their car new could tell if they were factory or added on later.

    It was a popular add on from JC Whitney, Whitlock Auto, ect. - I remember putting them into cars "back in the day" :yup:
     
    Acornridgeman, Aug 7, 2006
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