shocks for my 66 sb

[Gilbert R.]

what are the best replacement shocks for my 66 sb coupe for a ncrs rebuild.

[James W.]

Re: shocks for my 66 sb

Hello Gilbert,

I would buy the currently available GM service replacement gas charged shocks. I'd carefully peel off the AC-Delco stickers, paint them the correct gray color, reapply the AC-Delco stickers and the correct paper shock code stickers. I have put these shock on all of my midyear Corvettes and they really improved the ride and handling. In my opinion for flight judging purposes, you should get more credit for a current GM service replacement shock than a non GM replacement shock.

Regards,

James West

[Robert B.]

Re: shocks for my 66 sb

I agree with using the Delco replacement shocks - I just changed mine on my 66 SB coupe and I like the ride and handling. I did not replace the Delco labels after I painted the shocks - I'm not sure the originals had labels on them except for the EM - EK stickers. The car top flighted, but I don't have the judging sheets back yet, so I don't know what deductions were taken for the shocks.

Bob

[Gary B.]

DELCO label on shocks...

James,

Original '66 shocks did not have a label that said DELCO; they just had the two letter stickers. Is the reason for putting the Delco label back on so that the judges will know the shocks are Delco? If the new shocks have Delco stamped anywhere into the shock, I would not reattach a Delco label, since that label will make the shocks look less like the originals, not more.

If the new shocks do not have DELCO stamped into the shock, then maybe the label buys you something.

Gary

[James C.]

Re: shocks for my 66 sb

The replacement Delco shocks I bought were made in Mexico. I did not put the stickers back on for appearence sake, but I kept the receipt. I am sure the judges know that the replacements are made in Mexico. Jim

[Gary B.]

Shocks for my 66 sb

Jim,

The question is, is there any way for the judges to determine that the shocks are Delco. Any Delco shock should judge better than a non-Delco shock. Hence, I can see putting the Delco sticker back on the re-painted shock if otherwise there's no way for the judge to determine that it's a Delco shock.

Gary

[Lyndon S.]

Re: Shocks for my 66 sb

Delco does not make any shocks in fact the shock that one buys today are made by Gabriel, with the stickers on them that say AC Delco. You waist money paying for that shock today as you can get the same shock in Gabriel at half the cost of Delco stickers on the same shocks.

Kelly

[Joe L.]

Re: DELCO label on shocks...

Gary------

The currently available Delco shocks have no stampings, whatsoever, that identify them as Delco. So, as far as I know, the only way to get the credit for them as being Delco replacements is to have the Delco labels on them.

As far as removing and replacing these labels, I don't know. The last time that I removed such labels from shocks there was no way that one would be able to re-use them. The adhesive used is powerful and does not yield without substantial damage to the label. Masking them off and painting the shock might be the best approach if one wants to leave the labels on.

[Gary B.]

DELCO label on shocks...

Joe,

The lack of any DELCO stamping on the shock tube explains the desire to keep the label on the shock from a judging perspective.

Gary

[John D.]

Re: shocks for my 66 sb

Gilbert, I didn't read all your replies as I have to get to work. Anyhow here is my experience. I bought a set of the current replacement Delco shocks. They have a decal on them and are stamped made in Mexico. And I mean stamped. They aren't worth a crap for NCRS my friend. I mean you might as well put on Monroes. Not trying to be smart. I bought a set of the decal shocks a couple of years ago as I didn't know any better. So now I take them to the shows and they really work good keeping the vendor table from blowing away. NO one wants them.
What you need are some nice original Delco shocks that are STAMPED Delco. Forget the dates and numbers unless you want to spend a grand or more a pair.
Then paint them up real pretty, get the correct decal and you are done. Use the standard deduction page to figure out the point hit.It's not that much of a ding. John

[James W.]

[Lyndon S.]

Re: shocks for my 66 sb

could you see what is stamped in the shock? does it have Delco? or just made in USA on the shock? thanks

Kelly

[Mike M.]

Re: shocks for my 66 sb

Are these shock still available. The part number comes up as no good. GM# 22065208 or delco #560-50 and GM# 22065207 or Delco #560-51. This is what I put on my 65 and there was no deduction for these shocks. All I did was paint them grey and put the small stickers on them for standard shocks.

[Lyndon S.]

Re: shocks for my 66 sb

Joe would know, he could tell you when those numbers were discontinued from service parts

Kelly

[Joe L.]

Re: shocks for my 66 sb

Mike-----

The GM #22065208 and 22065207 were the last 63-82 Corvette shocks manufactured by the Delco Chassis division of DELPHI. Technically, DELPHI was a non-GM-entity at the time, but the shocks were still stamped Delco and manufactured on the original Delco Chassis Division tooling.

Both of these shocks were discontinued about 6 years ago and replaced by GM #88947563, front, and GM #88945172, rear. These shocks are also known as Delco #530-315 and 530-4, respectively. These are the shocks that are currently available and are the ones manufactured neither by any GM entity nor DELPHI.

ALL GM or AC-Delco shocks, PRODUCTION and SERVICE and regardless of model or year, are no longer produced internally by GM or, even, DELPHI. GM has "not a lick" of shock-manufacturing capacity and DELPHI is out of the shock-manufacturing business. So, it's a pretty safe bet that when one purchases any AC-Delco branded shock or, even, any shock through the GM parts system, that shock will be an "outsourced" product.