67 Shock Selection

[Bob H.]

Hi Guys:

Looking for some advice on my 67 big block.

I removed the shocks today that were shot and am going to buy new ones tomorrow. At first I was going to get the gas Delcos' but now am considering putting Bilsteins on it.

The car sits about an inch low and I understand the Bilsteins will bring it up about a 1/2 inch.

Has anyone used them and if so, are you happy with them? Ride too stiff? Any other suggestions are welcome.

Thanks.

Bob

[Rob M.]

Re: 67 Shock Selection

Bob,

I don't have experience with the Bilsteins - sorry.

However, if you are planning on getting the car judged at some point I would consider going with the Delco and painting them - this way you would get some points vs. none. As far as the car sitting too low - is the spring original? Have you ever replaced the rear spring cushions? If not, that might help too.

FWIW

[Bob H.]

Re: 67 Shock Selection

Hi

I don't have any plans to have it judged so I'm not concerned about that as much as the ride, etc. The car was restored several years ago and sets just a little low all the way around, about 3/4 to 1 inch front and back.

The Bilsteins supposedly will raise the car about a half inch which would please me but I don't want a too severe ride. If it was lower, I would change the springs but it just isn't quite bad enough yet.

Any input will be appreciated.

[Joe L.]

Re: 67 Shock Selection

Bob,

I don't have experience with the Bilsteins - sorry.

However, if you are planning on getting the car judged at some point I would consider going with the Delco and painting them - this way you would get some points vs. none. As far as the car sitting too low - is the spring original? Have you ever replaced the rear spring cushions? If not, that might help too.

FWIW

Rob-----


I'm not so sure that the Delco shocks will gain any judging credit anymore. The only place where it actually says Delco are the labels on the shocks. These are usually removed prior to painting the shocks and, should they be left on, that would be a "glaring" aspect of "non-originality", anyway.

So, once the labels are removed and the shocks painted, there's absolutely nothing left on the shocks to identify them as Delco. They could just as well be Monroe, Gabriel, or anything else. In fact, I think these shocks are actually manufactured by Monroe or Gabriel, so they might be identical to those.

In actuality, I think the KYB shocks are actually a bit closer in overall configuration to original Delco shocks except, of course, they have no Delco stampings. But, as I say, neither do the current Delcos.

The Delcos do perform well and are a good value, though.

[Duke W.]

Re: 67 Shock Selection

Hi Guys:

Looking for some advice on my 67 big block.

I removed the shocks today that were shot and am going to buy new ones tomorrow. At first I was going to get the gas Delcos' but now am considering putting Bilsteins on it.

The car sits about an inch low and I understand the Bilsteins will bring it up about a 1/2 inch.

Has anyone used them and if so, are you happy with them? Ride too stiff? Any other suggestions are welcome.

Thanks.

Bob

I don't think they'll raise it that much - probably no more than a quarter inch and more at the rear than front because of less leverage.

If you want the best, QA-1 rebound adjustables are the way to go in order to tune the ride and handling to your preference.

Duke

[Brian M.]

Re: 67 Shock Selection

I used KYB's, painted them grey added stickers, last time judged in 2007 at the national -4 of 5 pts on orig. no deduct on cond. The rears are obviously replacements as they have the bulge in the lower portion. Front shocks no deducts at all.