How well do current AC Delco shocks judge?

[Greg L.]

I'm getting ready to place another parts order soon and was wondering from a points perspective if it is worth it to get the current AC Delco shocks or should I just get a set of Monroes.

Either way I'll have to paint them so that is of no concern. What I am concerned about is after they are painted the blue-grey, which one will look most like the originals. Are the tubes, mounts, welds, etc basicaly the same between these two brands or are the Delco ones much closer to the original design?

Thanks,

Greg #45455

[lyndon sharpton]

Re: How well do current AC Delco shocks judge?

I dont think they will do that good as they just have a sticker on them. if you can pick up a set of NOS from a few years ago that you could get at your local chevrolet dealer. I think the shocks are all made by the same guys now. you might check around for some of the older style delco shocks that have delco stamped in them, even then you will lose points I am sure. all depends on how far you want to go into you wallet for a few points.

[Greg L.]

Re: How well do current AC Delco shocks judge?

Yes I'm watching the whole dollars per point thing very closely and that is why I'm curious as to how well each of these shocks stack up to the original ones.

I too am thinking that they are all made by the same manufacture these days so if that is the case the bodies should all be the same and there will be no point in paying extra for the Delcos.

For judging I guess I can restore and use my original fronts but I had hoped to find a good replacement brand that I could leave on the car and will also judge well.

Any other thoughts on how well the Delco or Monroe shocks will do on the judging field?

[John D.]

Re: How well do current AC Delco shocks judge?

Greg, The current AC Delco are not the way to go unless you don't mind that fact that they are boldly stamped 'Made In Mexico' with the only indication they are AC is the large verticle decal. Look in the Juding Reference Manual Section 4 item 6. GM Service replacement parts which is stretching it if the decal comes off. I bought a set and wouldn't put them on a rusty pickup truck no matter what the points. Better off with a set of used ones from a later Corvette which are readily available and reasonable. Then you have some quality and the point hit is minimum.

[William C.]

Re: How well do current AC Delco shocks judge?

Unfortunately, the "Delco" name for parts sales was retained by GM during the Delphi spinoff, while all the manufacturing went with Delphi. New contracts from GM go the the "lowest bidder" for service parts and many even though they come in similar packaging bear scant resemblence to the originals. Sadly, NOS or used parts present a much better judging alternative.

[mike cobine]

Re: How well do current AC Delco shocks judge?

True, I just bought a new AC 40482 fuel pump from a Delco parts distributor. No AC embossing on it at all.

The main reason I bought it was that I found in the past that the AC usually have better output flow needed at high rpm. Now I wonder if I made a mistake.

[Rick A.]

Re: How well do current AC Delco shocks judge?

at most, with the "new" Delco you would receive 50% originality deduct - with the Monroes you receive 100% deduct - you decide

[Greg L.]

Re: How well do current AC Delco shocks judge?

That's good advice John.

How much later can I go...82? I see there is a set from a 77 on ebay now which look okay.

Any idea of what a reasonable price would be for shocks like these assuming that they still work of course?

[John D.]

Re: How well do current AC Delco shocks judge?

Greg, My '63 has original front shocks dated correct for the car. These will be used for judging. But for PV and for driving I am going to put NOS later Delco's on. Call "The Shock King" and Ron Booher will sell you a set of '63 to 82 Delco shocks quite reasonable. Discuss price with him. He's typically set up at 3 or 4 Carlisle meets and is a founding member of the Pittsburgh Chapter. Email for Ron is
shocking@highvision.net
Ron told me the '63 Corvette shocks were the same valving as '55-57 Chevy and other applications.
Look for repro shocks to be available in the near future as at least two groups of individuals are working on them. If you want a new set of '63-82 "Delco" shocks stamped very deep with Made in the deep south they will be on a table near me at Corvette Carlisle cheap.

[Dick W.]

Re: How well do current AC Delco shocks judge?

Mike, I believe that Airtex has the current fuel pump contract for AC Delco