67 Painted Shocks Question

[Kirk M.]

Don't make fun of my poor man's paint booth - a sheet tacked up around my workbench. I painted my shocks gray last weekend and was reviewing the judging guide and want to see if I have this correct. The guide says the lower rubber bushing on the rear shocks should NOT be painted gray. Is that correct and have I circle the correct bushing that I need to remove paint from? Thanks.

Kirk

[Joe L.]

Re: 67 Painted Shocks Question

Don't make fun of my poor man's paint booth - a sheet tacked up around my workbench. I painted my shocks gray last weekend and was reviewing the judging guide and want to see if I have this correct. The guide says the lower rubber bushing on the rear shocks should NOT be painted gray. Is that correct and have I circle the correct bushing that I need to remove paint from? Thanks.

Kirk

Kirk-----


The JG is correct. The rear shock LOWER grommets were installed at St. Louis and were unpainted. This was true for all Corvettes from 1963-82. The UPPER rear grommets were part of the shock absorber assembly and were painted with the rest of the shock. The same was true for the front shock LOWER grommet.

By the way, many Delco SERVICE rear shocks (including when Delco used to manufacture them) had LOWER grommets that were factory-installed and were a "1 piece" grommet (unlike PRODUCTION or SERVICE with 2 grommets, one on either side of the shock). These style grommets were painted with the shock. However, as I mentioned, I don't think any of this type were ever used in PRODUCTION.

[Kirk M.]

Re: 67 Painted Shocks Question

So it isn't something actually on the shock itself but rather a mounting piece that shouldn't be painted. I guess what I'm asking is what is a grommet in this case? Thanks.

[Joe L.]

Re: 67 Painted Shocks Question

So it isn't something actually on the shock itself but rather a mounting piece that shouldn't be painted. I guess what I'm asking is what is a grommet in this case? Thanks.

Kirk-----


The grommet is the "tappered" RUBBER circular pieces that install on both sides of the lower shock mounting orifice. It's GM #3735334 but is discontinued. Easily available in the aftermarket, though.

[Kirk M.]

Re: 67 Painted Shocks Question

Final question. Then the shocks the way I have them painted is ok? Correct? Thanks.

Kirk

[John H.]

Re: 67 Painted Shocks Question

Final question. Then the shocks the way I have them painted is ok? Correct? Thanks.

Kirk

The rubber bushings at the bottom of the rear shocks shouldn't be painted.

[Kirk M.]

Re: 67 Painted Shocks Question

Thank you John, sometimes getting the straight answer is harder than it should be.

Kirk

[Rick S.]

Re: 67 Painted Shocks Question

Kirk,
Did you get the sheets back on the bed before the little woman returned home?

[Kirk M.]

Re: 67 Painted Shocks Question

Kirk,
Did you get the sheets back on the bed before the little woman returned home?

She didn't buy that I had custom colored our new sheets to match my car!?! Made sense to me!!

[Paul C.]

Re: 67 Painted Shocks Question

What is the closest new shock for judging purposes--1971 vet. Anyone use Dr Rebuild shocks?

[Joe L.]

Re: 67 Painted Shocks Question

What is the closest new shock for judging purposes--1971 vet. Anyone use Dr Rebuild shocks?

Paul-----


The closest you can get today is pretty much the Delco 530-315, front, and 530-4, rear. In fact, I believe these are the shocks pictured earlier in this thread. I expect that this is what Dr. Rebuild currently has available.

[Kirk M.]

Re: 67 Painted Shocks Question

Paul-----


The closest you can get today is pretty much the Delco 530-315, front, and 530-4, rear. In fact, I believe these are the shocks pictured earlier in this thread. I expect that this is what Dr. Rebuild currently has available.

Joe,

Indeed, those are the shocks pictured. I removed the large Delco sticker, cleaned a bit of sticker gum off the shocks, and painted them with Corvette Central shock gray. I forgot to mask off (really didn't know till after the fact) the rear bottom rubber grommets, which should remain black. Ordered the shock stickers from Corvette Central and plan to mount them as described in the JG. From there is appears to be a couple of bolts and nuts to remove the old shocks, remount the new, and you'd have new properly colored and labeled shocks.

Kirk