ATTN: Joe Lucia - FollowUp on Shock ID

[Rick A.]

Joe,

Eyeballed the shocks and here is what I saw:

Front shocks - #4949705 - say DELCO and PLIACELL have a datecode of 089-72 and a white decal with yellow letters "PE"

Rear shocks - #4949820 - say DELCO and PLIACELL have a datecode of 059-72 and a white decal with yellow letters "PY"

Based on datecode, and after talking with my 1965 Vette buddy, these shocks were special-ordered on a 1972 Corvette with 454 BB. We believe based on this, the shocks are FE-7 application or the "gymkhana" package?

TIA for any more thoughts. Rick

[Joe L.]

Re: ATTN: Joe Lucia - FollowUp on Shock ID

Rick-----

First, a few minor points: for 1972, the HD suspension package was still called F-41. However, as far as I know, the F-41 was only available as part of the ZR-1 package. I suppose, though, for an option like this, it might have been possible to order it through some special order process. On the other hand, GM records show that only 20 F-41 suspensions were installed for 1972, the exact same number as ZR-1s produced.

As I mentioned previously, I can't find any reference to the 4949805, but I do show the 4949806 as the PRODUCTION front HD shock for 1972-73. Nevertheless, I would expect that these shocks, front and rear, are the 72-73 HD shocks. Whether they are PRODUCTION or SERVICE pieces, I don't know. Regardless, I would expect the configuration of the PRODUCTION and SERVICE shocks produced at this time to be identical, even if the shock part numbers were not the same.

In any event, based upon your description and other things that I know about these shocks, I would expect that they're going to have a tube OD of about 2.0". Late 1969 to about 1974 HD shocks usually had a tube OD of this size.

The original shocks used in PRODUCTION for 1963 Z-06 were GM #3171488, front, and GM #3171489, rear. In SERVICE, these shocks were known as GM #3166559 and 3166560, respectively. These shocks had a tube OD of 2-1/4" and were used for all F-40/F-41 applications from 1963 through early-1969. Later HD shocks had 2" tube OD and, later, some went to 1-5/8" OD, the same as standard shocks.

So, the short of it is that although these are HD shocks, I don't think that they are going to be configured exactly like the 63 originals. Let us know what the tube OD turns out to be.

[Rick A.]

Re: ATTN: Joe Lucia - FollowUp on Shock ID

Joe,

As usual, thanks for the excellent reply! I posted the shock numbers on the C3 Corvette Action Center Forum and a gentleman there responded that according to the 1972 NCRS Judging Guide and AIM the shocks were listed as being for normal heavy duty suspension and not anything out of the ordinary, such as F41, FE-07, etc. I believe he indicated that if the decals had been "PF and PR" then they would have been the F41's

FYI - have found that GM #4940459 (front shock) is still available through GM parts system and #22065208 (rear shock) also - believe these are the most current replacements that approximate what was on my 1963 Z06

[Joe L.]

Re: ATTN: Joe Lucia - FollowUp on Shock ID

Rick-----

I was focusing on the F-41 shocks and never thought to check the standard shocks. I should have just checked the 1972 AIM. Those are, indeed, the part numbers for the PRODUCTION 1972 standard shock absorbers. These won't be of much use to you but, I can assure you, somebody with a 1972 would love to have them. I'm sure that they'd be quite valuable.

Also, you are correct in that F-40/F-41/FE-7 shocks are still available from GM. These are GM #88947653, front, and GM #4940459, rear. You had the number for the rear shock "reversed" with the front. The GM #22065208 is the Reactec FRONT shock. If you can still get this shock, it will be much better than the 88947653. The 88947653 is, basically, a one-size-fits-all shock which is now catalogued for BOTH standard and HD suspension. It's configuration is considerably different than the original shocks.

The GM #22065208 is configured just like an original standard front shock. However, it will perform much better than an original standard front shock. This shock has a tube OD of 1-5/8" as compared to the 2-1/4" OD of the HD shocks originally used on your car. With respect to configuration, the tube OD is the primary way that it differs from your original shocks.

The GM #4940459 is the SERVICE rear HD shock that has been available for the last 25 years, or so. It is similar to your original except for the following: the tube OD is 2" in contrast to the 2-1/4" for the originals and the "coullee hat" top retainer is smaller in OD and configured somewhat differently than the originals.

For NEW shocks, though, the GM #22065208 and 4940459 are going to be the closest thing to the original that you can currently obtain.

[Rick A.]

Re: ATTN: Joe Lucia - FollowUp on Shock ID

Joe,

Again, thanks Joe! Will pass on to my 1965 buddy and tell him to post that he has the shocks.