Shock Absorbers-- for a 67

[Keith]

I will be looking to purchase shock absorbers for my 67 small block -- standard suspension. What shock should I purchase for proper height and for smallest point deduction for top Flight? Does anyone reproduce original shocks with dates?? thanks

[Joe L.]

Re: Shock Absorbers-- for a 67

Keith----

As far as I know, there are no reproductions of early Corvette shocks available which are correct to "numbers" and "dates". However, there are several ways to go. Here are my comments relative thereto:

1-You could seek out a set of NOS originals. The shock numbers were 3186906-front and 3186907-rear. However, these are the actual part numbers on the shocks and, in service, these were known as 3186717-front and 3186718-rear. That's because, in service, the 3186906/3186907 shocks come in a box with a little bag of hardware. That makes their service part numbers(the numbers on the boxes) different than the numbers on the shocks. Be advised, though, that the chances of finding such a set of shocks, much less ones correctly dated for your car, will be slightly less than the chance of the people in hell getting a big glass of icewater.

2-You could seek out a set of used shocks, appropriately "dated" and "numbered". Of course, finding them will be difficult, too, and, if you do, the chances are they'll be worn out. Since there exists no way that I know of to rebuild a shock absorber, they won't be of much use to you. Of course, if you intend for your car to be a "trailer queen", they'll work just fine. You won't be able to have any real fun with the car, but the numbers on your shocks will be "correct".

3-You could buy a set of new GM replacement shocks. These shocks are available under GM part number 22011967-front(shock number 4975485)and GM part number 4975486-rear(shock number 4975487). These shocks are VERY similar in configuration to the originals. They are supplied in black, so you have to thoroughly clean the exterior surface and paint with Quanta's shock absorber gray paint. When you're done, you'll have a shock that, except for "numbers" and "dates" will look very much like the originals. Bear in mind, though, these are basically "old technology" shocks. They will perform just about like the originals.

4-You could buy a set of Delco Reactec shocks. These shocks are available under GM part number 22065208 (Delco # 560-50)- front and GM part number 22065207 (Delco # 560-51)-rear. These shocks are virtually identical to the replacement original shocks described in 3, above, and, consequently, VERY similar to the original shocks. They are also supplied in black and have small labels on them. You remove the labels, clean the shocks with acryli-clean, and paint with Quanta's shock absorber gray paint. Then you have a set of modern technology, gas charged shock absorbers that look VERY similar to the original shocks supplied on your car when it was new, sans the original "numbers" and "dates".

What kind of point deduct do you suffer for using the shocks described above? I have no idea. All I can tell you is that their configuration is VERY close to the originals. For the point penalty, we'll need to hear from a judge.