The car seemed to be pulling a little to the left tonight as I drove it around at the track - didn't seem unusual during runs, though, mostly on the return road.

Until the 3rd round (which I bulbed to the tune of -.007), and it was off a couple of hundredths from what I expected it to run. Got the flashlight out, and sure enough, lost a lower a-arm bushing bolt & washer from the back side. Had I thought to check it earlier, I probably could have caught it before it fell out.

2nd time this has happened, first time was in 2003 after the poly bushings were installed. I did Locktite the bolts after that, must not have been clean enough or something.

This type of thing woudn't happen on a 3rd gen, but that doesn't mean other things can't loosen up and get you into trouble. I checked these in early April when I was under there for engine mount changes, but not since. Now I've got another reason to crawl under the car.

 

I had the same thing happen on my truck. Polly busings tq 90ft lbs stock rubber 140lbs. I dont much care for polly bushings anymore.

To keep it 3rdgen. It only took 3 runs to break both rear sway bar links. I knew they were a tad rusted dident think too much of it though. I figured 14 psi in 50 series tires and a 150 shot might break somthing. I just thought more along the lines of the gov lock. I'm blaming the links for loosing to the rustang in the other lane.

 

Which car?

Okay, I'll bite - how did it change the way it launched?

I've considered putting a sway bar on the back of the '57, not sure how much it would change the launch, but it would probably improve handling on the street. The Camaro has the wimpy '86 SC sway bars from the donor car (the Berlinetta didn't even have a rear sway bar). When I box the LCAs and put the poly bushings in, that would probably be a good time to upgrade the sway bar.

BTW, in all other respects I love the poly bushings. Guess I'm going to have to implement a more rigorous PM schedule on the bolts, though.

 

The Camaro links took a crap, its the only car I have that runs at the moment and isnt costing me more then I'm making to keep it going. I should have left the bird alone I'm regreting this BB swap.

Anyway it just got a tad more squirly off the line and wheel hop increased. I went from 2.2 60's to 2.6's with the broken links so a sway bar does help. I'll see if the 60's are back to normal next week. Nothing like a 3 week void to keep you interested in racing.

If I remember right I think my dad got a whole sway bar kit for his 55 for around $160, front/rear bars with bushings and everything. That wouldent be a bad investment for your 57.

 

The kits always cost less in sets. However, I put a front bar on when I put the 396 in. So, I'll probably have to spend $120 to get a rear only. I'd love to upgrade front & rear on the Camaro, though.

I replaced the bolt today - Ace Hardware 7/16 x 1-1/2 fine thread Grade 8. I had only put a wrench on the bolts earlier, shop manual said 45-50 lowers and 35-40 uppers. Of the other 7, only one didn't move before the torque wrench clicked. Drives straight and true again.