Shocks and Judging Points ...

[Bill C.]

Hey All ....

Easy question (I hope) ....

My car is a 1972 454 A/C car ....

If I put a full set of pliacell shocks (with correct dates) but they are F-41 shocks - will I loose all points from both categories or 1/2 points ???

My original front shocks are finally wore out - bounce too many times when tested.

I want to help the handling characteristics of the car, thought F-41 shocks would do that. The car is a 454 A/C car, sloppy handling is an understatement.

Bill

[Bernard S.]

Re: Shocks and Judging Points ...

Bill: I have 72 454 AC convert. Drove it to Nashville and back for the 50th (2400 miles). After wards replaced shock with the GM std type- what a difference. You might not need F-41

[Bill C.]

Re: Shocks and Judging Points ...

I saw a set of dated (early 72) F-41 on ebay - thought they would work nicely on the car.

I would be fine to put a standard set on - just can't seem to find any ...

I was wondering how badly I would be penalized when I take the car for flight judging again?

Bill

[William C.]

Re: Shocks and Judging Points ...

Chassis judging of front shocks is somewhat limited by accessability to the area where the delco remy and part numbers are applied. If the Shocks are similar in appearance to the originals, and painted correctly, it would come down to the accessability of the stamped logo, which I believe is at the bottom of the spring pocket. IF SEEN it would create a deduction, if it can be seen.

[Dick W.]

Re: Shocks and Judging Points ...

No documented '72 cars with F-41. So why spend the bucks to buy dated F-41 shocks? Minimal deduction for correctly painted and decaled Pliacell shocks.

For a driver I highly recommend Bilstein shocks. A world of difference between conventional shocks and them. You will not realize that you are in the same car.

[Terry M.]

Re: Shocks and Judging Points ...

I kind of think the diameter of the F-41s would be a give away on the judging field; but on a bright, sunny day with long field grass, and eight cars to judge it might not be noticed.

There used to be some Delco shocks that when painted the proper gray color passed for the most part on the front of C3s, but I remember a couple of posts that those were discontinued a couple of years ago just before Delco got out of the shock making business. There still might be something close enough if paper/foil labels were removed and the proper blue/grey paint was applied. Front shocks are real hard to see -- rears are far easier.

[Bill C.]

Re: Shocks and Judging Points ...

THANK YOU !!!

Great info - I think the best approach is to look for standard pliacell shocks and paint/label them correctly.


Bill

[Rob M.]

Re: Shocks and Judging Points ...

The rears are easy to spot without the upper tubular shield. I would think that you would get full deduct on originality and condition too.

[Mike G.]

Re: Shocks and Judging Points ...

you will be better off with the new ac shocks painted the correct color unless your car is an f41 car then keep what you have.