1963 Shocks

[Rick A.]

Folks,

I am getting ready to turn my 1963 SWC over to the restorer. I have been buying parts here and there as I have seen them at swap meets, flea markets, on the Internet and also buying from various vendors. One area I am having difficulty
is with shocks. I am trying to get as close to original as possible. What is a good shock to go with that will come close? Is there a suitable "DELCO" shock that is close to an F40? Yes, my Z06 originally came with F40 shocks.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1963 Shocks

Rick------

These shocks are as close as you're going to get in a current-production shock from ANY manufacturer.

front: no currently available shock is configured like the originals. GM #88947653 is as close as you can get and it's not really close, at all. 100% functional, however;

rear: GM #4940459 is GENERALLY configured like the originals but there are significant differences. This shock does have deleted the upper shock rod shield as did all original F-40/41 shocks, so that feature is "correct", anyway. The lower tube diameter is smaller and the "coulee hat" smaller and differently configured than originals, though.

[Rick A.]

Re: 1963 Shocks

Joe,

As usual, your response is "dead on" what I was looking for. I have found a "pair" of REAL F40 rear shocks and I am still searching for fronts. Don't want to mix shocks, so was trying to prepare for "worst case".

[mikemccagh]

Re: 1963 Shocks

Rick: when i wwas looking for nos or nors shocks for my ZO6 about 8 years ago, Paragon had a set of nors(1968 dates as i recall) for 1k each. i passed. they may still be there. think they were fronts too. mike

[Rick A.]

Re: 1963 Shocks

Mike,

thanks - think I will pass also - but, doesn't hurt to ask when I call them later today, as they have a couple of other items I need

[Joe L.]

Re: 1963 Shocks

Mike and Rick-----

The front F-40/41 shocks used in PRODUCTION from 1963 to about 1969 were GM #3171488. In SERVICE, these were known as GM #3166559 and may or may not have carried the same PRODUCTION part number stamped on the body of the shock. The 3166559 were available in SERVICE until about early 1971, although manufacture of these shocks ended earlier.

Beginning in later 1969 or 1970, the front F-41 PRODUCTION shocks were changed to GM #3192196. In SERVICE these shocks were known as GM #5559365 and may or may not have carried the PRODUCTION part number stamped on the shock, itself.

What I'm getting to here is this: the 1963 to sometime-in-1969 F-40/41 front shocks should be all the same. This applies to PRODUCTION or SERVICE shocks manufactured during this time period, regardless of what part number actually appears embossed on SERVICE shocks. So, F-40/41 shocks with a 1968 manufacture date should be configured like the 1963 to sometime-in-1969 PRODUCTION shocks. I believe that the earlier front shocks had a tube with a slightly larger diameter than the later shocks, but I don't know what the diameter was for each.

Similarly, the F-40/41 rear shocks changed about 1969. The 1963 to about 1969 PRODUCTION shocks were GM #3171489. In SERVICE, these were known as GM #3166560 and may or may not have carried the PRODUCTION part number embossed on the shock. I do not know the PRODUCTION part number for about 1969-to-1971 PRODUCTION F-41 rear shock absorber, but I'd like to. The 63 to 69 and 69+ SERVICE rear F-41 shock absorber available after April, 1970 was GM #4940459. The configuration of this shock may or may not have changed over the years and it may or may not have carried the PRODUCTION part number on the shock. Like the fronts, I believe that the tube diameter of the 69+ F-41 rear shocks was slightly smaller than the earlier F-41.

If anyone has a any examples of the above-referenced F-41 shocks, I'd be interested in knowing the actual diameters. Here's a summary and the blanks that need to be filled in:

3171488 63-69 PRODUCTION F-40/41 front--?????? diameter

3171489 63-69 PRODUCTION F-40/41 rear--- 2-5/16" tube OD; "hat" washer 2-1/2"OD

3192196 about 1969 to 1971 F-41 front--- ?????? diameter

?????? 1969 to 1971 F-41 rear---- ?????? tube OD; ?????? hat OD

[mikemccagh]

Re: 1963 Shocks

Joe: think ave Van Weil(spelling) orig owner (and still has it) ZO6 out on long island, has the orig shocks and can hopefully supply the measurements. he posts occassionally. mike

[Rick A.]

Re: 1963 Shocks

Joe,

again, thanks for such a detailed response! will try to contact David Van Weile via email (as Dr. Mike suggested) and see if he can shed some light. Will also check with Butch Moxley and Donnie Hyson here in Maryland, as they both have Z06's

[DANNY PANTUSO]

Re: 1963 Shocks

HI RICK, F40 SHOCKS PART # FRONTS 3171488 HAD 58" SHAFT GRAY IN COLOR STICKER WITH BLACK & WHITE LETTERS "EP" FOR REAR SHOCKS PART # 3171489 GRAY IN COLOR IT HAS 2.5O" THAT I CALL IT A CHINA HAT OR WASHER, SHAFT IS ALSO 58" ALSO STICKER "EP" THESE ARE ORIGINAL F40 SHOCKS THAT A HAVE DATED 63 ON MY Z06. DANNY #38266

[Joe L.]

Re: 1963 Shocks

Danny-----

What is the diameter of the TUBE section of the front shocks? That dimension seems to be missing from your post.

[DANNY PANTUSO]

Re: 1963 Shocks

HI JOE, THE DIAMETER OF THE TUBES FRONTS & REAR SHOCKS ARE 2 416" BOTH THE SAME. DANNY--#38266

[Rick A.]

Re: 1963 Shocks

Danny,

Thanks for all the info! To have someone going through a Z06 restoration now and me getting ready to do my Z06 - will be bothering you off and on! (VBG)

I know that you posted your F40 shocks are a grey color, but according to the 1963/64 judging guide the shocks for ALL 1963 models were semi-gloss black. The F40 shocks for 1964 were/could be grey. Something else that contradicts the JG.

FYI - sent an email to David van Weele asking him about his F40 shocks since he has owned his Z06 since new!

[DANNY PANTUSO]

Re: 1963 Shocks

HI RICK, IF YOU GET THE TECHNICAL JUDGING GUIDE ON PAGE 153 Z06 F40 SHOCKS "GRAY PAINT" BOTH OF MY SHOCK ARE GRAY PAINTED.--DANNY

[Rick A.]

Re: 1963 Shocks

Danny,

yepper, but think it says for 1964 shocks only; again, believe the JG says ALL 1963 shocks (to include Z06) were semi-gloss black - which is why I said there was obviously a discrepancy with the JG, but that happens ocassionally and we have some more nuggets to add with you going through restoration

will double check the JG when I get home from work

[Rick A.]

Re: 1963 Shocks

Danny,

didn't get a chance to post last night - double-checked the JG and it states that ALL 1963 shocks to include F40 were semi-gloss black. so, if you still have the original shocks on your "tanker" then the JG has a possible discrepancy? or you don't have the original shocks on the "tanker"?

FYI - also checked Dobbins and Adams books and both of them state semi-gloss black for ALL 1963 shocks to include F40