F41- 1969 Nova SS

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Greg;
To my knowledge, the Nova F40 package only contained special springs for the front/rear and 'matching' shocks. I don't know what 'matching' means, nor do I know what 'front stabilizer shaft on 6-cyl models only' means, (?).

In 1970 the F40 is called 'Special Front and Rear' suspension @ $6.35, and F41 is called 'Sport' @ $30.55. The F40 was not allowed with the SS option, and F41 was only allowed with the SS option! (This is why we believe that COPO 9737 was modified in 1970 to include the F41 on a non-SS car).

KurtS; Thanks for the info, I didn't realize that the Camaro's had an F41 option - just without the rear sway bar (?).

[Kurt S]

I've seen documented F41 on lots of SB first gens. Never seen an F40 first gen, though I've heard of one BB race car with it.

[BUIZILLA]

I have a '72 SS350 4 speed Nova, that is a factory F41 car. It has rear sway bar and what appears to be BB front springs as the nose sits up pretty good. I cut 1 coil spring from the front springs, and now it sits pretty level.

Jim

[fsc66]

Read over this entire thread and I don't see an answer to the first question asked. Did the F41 in a 69 Nova include a rear sway bar? I suspect it would be in the 69 assembly manual but do not have one.

Thanks,
Paul

[Lee Stewart]

Originally Posted by fsc66

Read over this entire thread and I don't see an answer to the first question asked. Did the F41 in a 69 Nova include a rear sway bar? I suspect it would be in the 69 assembly manual but do not have one.

Thanks,
Paul

https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?p=673485

[fsc66]

Lee, this is the thread I was reading, please advise which answer # on the right answers the question.

In the mean time I did find this other thread and this seems to answer:

WILMASBOYL78
Jan 17th, 14, 07:22 PM
OK...let's start with the "correct" basics.....
The F41 suspension was originally an optional suspension package only available on the 68-72 Nova SS models. Starting in the spring of 1970 the rear sway bar became part of this package. The SS cars all came with the F40 HD suspension... F41 was an upgrade. If you look at the links below from Nova Resource you will see a great explanation of all the features and options regarding the SS model, F40 and the F41 suspension packages.

Now...as far as adding the F41 sway bar to a Nova that didn't have it to begin with...not so easy. If you just want a sway bar, there are several aftermarket choices that will work and actually be better than the factory unit.

The factory installed sway bar had two welded mounting plates that were attached to the underside of the trunk. Those plates are difficult, if not impossible, to find. There were also very specific sway bar links and lower shock/spring plates that were required...plus the very rare rear sway bar itself. The sway bar was very small in diameter...and almost worthless from a performance perspective...but, none the less...they were put there by GM..so we live with it.

One of the reasons the 1970 F41 components are so scarce is due to the Yenko Deuce and the L78 cars...owners doing a concours resto all fight over these parts...a complete F41 suspension package will easily fetch $1,000 on flea-bay or other web sites.

So, now you have the facts...since your BB Nova has an aftermarket differential...I would get a real sway bar and not worry about Chevy's OEM parts.

Wilma

ps...we have an aftermarket sway bar on our 68 BB Nova and it works great....only way to go :hurray:

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Originally Posted by fsc66

Read over this entire thread and I don't see an answer to the first question asked. Did the F41 in a 69 Nova include a rear sway bar? I suspect it would be in the 69 assembly manual but do not have one.

Thanks,
Paul

No, the F41 option did not include a rear sway bar for '69 Novas, nor early build '70 Novas. The rear sway bar was added to the F41 option in January of '70, thus is a mid year inclusion which is important because the vertical bars were changed for '71 making the 1/2 year '70 versions quite hard to find!

[L78_Nova]

I have been fortunate over the years to piece together two factory rear Nova bars with floor/frame mounting brackets. One is on my 68 Acadian small block car and one is going into my 70 L78 car (I know technically it was built too early, but I'm OK with that).
Not sure of what upright configurations I have (suspect the later ones as the later bars were more common).


The spindly little rear bar does make a difference but you would need good tires to really make them work hard.

[nova67]

My 70 Nova SS 350 Auto car had F41 with rear sway bar. I bought the car 1 year old.

[RALLY]

Originally Posted by BUIZILLA

I have a '72 SS350 4 speed Nova, that is a factory F41 car. It has rear sway bar and what appears to be BB front springs as the nose sits up pretty good. I cut 1 coil spring from the front springs, and now it sits pretty level.

Jim

Exactly what i have. A factory ordered F41 suspension on my 72 Nova SS. Came with front and rear stabilizer bars, F41 heavy duty shocks front and rear, 5 leaf rear springs, and front BB heavy duty coil springs. My car was higher in the front due to the BB front coil springs, still had the factory tags on them. I to decided to cut a coil off the front coil springs to lower the car and give it a nice slope downward.