C3 shock absorber length

[Michael H.]

Re: Hmmmmm

I well remember that from the Chicago suburbs. The 294 resurfacing project that never ended and mile long lane closings for no apparent reason.

[Wayne M.]

14_3/8" fully extended on '65 orginals

and I think same shock design was used to early C3's. Also checked some aftermarkets that were on my other '65 and they topped out at the same overall length, measured center-to-center on the bushing eyelets.

What happens when an IRS becomes airborne at speed ? Serious damage could result to drivetrain if the binding was severe.

[Mike McKown]

Somewhere in the build process, and before it came

it came off-ine, there should have been a process to check the braking system.

FMVSS requirement but I don't remember when this started.

[Michael H.]

Re: Somewhere in the build process, and before it

If I remember correctly, the brake test at the Mill was just after 1st start, right off the end of the final line and before all trim/paint repair etc. That would have been for the last probably 15 years of op there. I wonder how it was done back in the 50's? I also wonder how well the 50's and 60's cars with metallic brakes would do on a cold brake test.

[John H.]

Re: Somewhere in the build process, and before it

Michael -

During the midyear era, the brakes were bled (evacuated and filled) and pressure-tested at 1500-1800 psi through the master cylinder on the Chassis Line; the master cylinder was secured to the firewall (or booster) immediately following Body Drop. If the system failed the Chassis Line test and couldn't be repaired before Body Drop, a large red cardboard sign was placed under the driver's side windshield wiper that said "NO BRAKES - DO NOT START OR DRIVE".

[Michael H.]

Re: Somewhere in the build process, and before it

Thanks john,

Sounds similar to the process used in the 70's and 80's if I remember correctly. Wonder if the 50's line was the same?

[John H.]

Re: Somewhere in the build process, and before it

The C1 process was similarly-located, but didn't use the vacuum-evacuation and fill process through the master cylinder; it used a pressure adapter on the master cylinder feeding fluid and vacuum hoses with bleeder socket fittings on them that were used at each wheel cylinder. Vacuum-assisted pressure-bleeding, if you will, instead of the later process which was done entirely through the master cylinder compensating port. In both processes, the master cylinder was installed on the Chassis Line, pushed out of the way for body drop clearance, and secured to the firewall after body drop (that's why you'll occasionally see some chassis blackout paint on the outboard side of original C1 master cylinders).

[Donald G.]

Re: 14_3/8" fully extended on '65 orginals

Thanks Wayne. I certainly agree that having the shaft ends hit the flanges enough to cause a three inch rise in the trailing arms would not have been a design feature. Yours was the only definitive respose and I do appreciate it.
No way would I put this car on the road with this happening.
Cheers
Don

[Michael H.]

Re: Somewhere in the build process, and before it

Sounds like a much longer process. No wonder the new vac/press system was adopted. I always wondered how it was done on the C1's. Thanks John.

When I was still a pup working in Grampa's gas station a few years ago, (Kennedy haden't yet been elected president) I had a vision of two guys on the assy line bleeding brakes the same way Grampa and I did it. One guy in the car pumping his brains out and the other running around the car cracking bleeders.

[William Liddle]

Re: Hmmmmm

Don, I don't know when you lived in this area but nothing has changed except the two seasons, winter & construction, have gotten longer.

[Paul O.]

Re: C3 shock absorber length

Just checked a set of original 70 rear shocks 14 3/8" mount bolt center to bolt center. Paul

[Dick W.]

Re: Somewhere in the build process, and before it

When I was still a pup working in Grampa's gas station a few years ago, (Kennedy haden't yet been elected president) I had a vision of two guys on the assy line bleeding brakes the same way Grampa and I did it

Michael, we all thought that when you were a pup you had to hand pump the fuel up to the glass cylinder before you dispensed it.

[Michael H.]

Re: Somewhere in the build process, and before it

Yup, and oil came in those glass bottles. Didn't even have hydraulic brakes back then. I remember it well.

[Terry M.]

Gas pumped into glass cylinders

I probably shouldn't admit this, but I once put gas in my 1970 from one of those pumps with a glass cylinder at the top. Someplace in Colorado when the car was young, and I was younger too. I had to exchange my USC for tokens because the pumps operated on the tokens and would not take USC. No credit card accepted at that station. I'm thinking the fuel was around 36 cents for premium. Ah, those were the days.

[Michael H.]

Re: Gas pumped into glass cylinders

That's going back a few years. I thought all of those glass top pumps were from the Bonnie & Clyde era?