Joe Lucia Help Please

[Garry Barnes]

Joe, I have come across some 1956 dated delco spiral shocks but can't match the part number to application. The number is 5532413. What were these used on and would they work on a corvette of the same vintage? Thanks.
Garry

[Jack H.]

Re: Joe Lucia Help Please

I'm presuming the shocks you've found with PN 5532413 are boxed as over the counter service replacements. If so, the PN will differ from what's shown in the AIM book as the factory dealt with discrete individual parts (shock, washer, nut) while service 'packaged' items in a 'kit'...

A quick look through my 1929-58 Chevy Parts and Accessories Catalog shows no listing for that PN but gives 5531206 as the service kit for 53-58 Corvette front and 5531213 as the rear shock. This suggests what you've found was NOT aimed at Chevy car/truck applications.

[Joe L.]

Re: Joe Lucia Help Please

Garry-----

I'm assuming that this is the number actually stamped on the shocks. In any event, I can't find any reference to this number either way-----either as a shock or SERVICE part number. I expect that it's for a non-Chevrolet application. Delco made shocks for all of the other GM carlines of the day, so there are lots of possibilities that I don't have information on.

Also, shocks are an item that tends to be very specific as to carline. The basic shock may be the same or similar for all the car lines. However, the internal valving which determines the characteristics of the shock are usually quite specific. The ride characteristics are one of the ways that the GM of old (and, even of today) differentiates a Buick from, say, a Pontiac.

Would they work for a Corvette application? Well, if they are dimensionally the same in ALL respects as Corvette and have the same mounting configuration, they will FIT on the car. However, they probably won't have Corvette shock characteristics.

[Garry Barnes]

Re: Joe Lucia Help Please

Joe, thanks so much for your response. They do look very much like my originals but as you say the characteristics would probably be different. The mounting configuration appears to be the same, but I would have to see them side-by-side to really be sure. Thanks again.
Garry