Delco mid-year HD shocks discontinued?

[G B.]

The local Delco distributor told me "no soap" when I recently asked for conventional Delco hydraulic HD shocks for 63-7 Corvettes. All he can offer me now are Delco gas shocks.

I've been hunting around for some #4940459 HD Corvette rear shocks and came across some similar looking shocks with number 4940607. Can anyone tell me if the 607 superceded the 459, or is the 607 designed for something else (like a Checker cab)?

[Joe L.]

Re: Delco mid-year HD shocks discontinued?

Jerry-----

The GM #4940607 did not replace the GM #4940459. I'm not sure what the 4940607 is since I can find no record of it ever being a GM SERVICE shock part number. However, it could be, either, a PRODUCTION shock for some application or it could be a SERVICE shock which came in a box with a different part number. Most, if not all, SERVICE shocks have a part number on the shock which differs from the part number on the box. The part number on the box is the number for the KIT which includes a shock and some hardware and that number is the SERVICE part number. The shock part numbers actually stamped on the shock are "internal" GM part numbers, the facts of which are known only to the folks in Detroit and Dayton, Ohio where the shocks are made.

In any event, the GM #4940459 shocks are still available. However, while they come in a box which says Delco on it, they aren't sold through the Delco parts system. As far as I know, they never have been. These shocks are considered OEM shocks which are sold only through the GM parts system. For shocks, the Delco dealers carry only REPLACEMENT shocks, the equivalent of aftermarket shocks sold in a "competitive environment". Some are excellent, but they are not OEM shocks, at least as far as we can tell from part numbers. Internally, who knows? However, I suspect that the OEM shocks ARE different than those sold through Delco.

You should be able to order the above from a GM dealer for about $85, list. However, be sure that you tell them that you want THIS part number. Otherwise, some GM dealers will obtain the "Delco-equivalent" aftermarket shock through their Delco parts system supplier and try to pawn that off on you as "the same thing".

[Eugene B.]

Re: Delco mid-year HD shocks discontinued?

Joe,
Thank you for answering Jerry's shock question. I am in the process of purchasing shocks (front & rear) for my '65.

The P/N that you gave Jerry was 4940459 for the rear. Is it the same for my '65? If so, can you give me a corresponding part number for the front shock?

By the way, when did shock absorbers become so darn expensive. They used to come in pairs and now they come individually and one shock costs as much as pair did a short time ago.

Regards,
Gene

[John O.]

Re: Delco mid-year HD shocks discontinued?

I'm also restoring a '65. Any help in the shock #'s would be greatly appreciated.

John

[Joe L.]

Re: Delco mid-year HD shocks discontinued?

Gene and John-----

This shock part number is the same for all 63-77 WITH F-40/F-41/Z-07. This is the HEAVY DUTY rear shock. It has no shock rod shield as do standard suspension shocks. Consequently, its configuration is incorrect for a standard suspension car. The current overall configuration of this shock is not exactly the same as the orginal F-40/F-41/Z-07 shocks, either, but it's as close as you're going to get in a NEW shock for these applications. The current part number for the front shock for HD suspension cars is GM #22046803. However, this is a part which "consolidated" both the HD and standard suspension shocks under one part number. I think that it's more akin to the standard suspension shock in configuration and performance.

GM OEM shocks have always been more expensive than Delco parts system replacements. They have NEVER been sold as pairs, only as single-unit items. In fact, as far as I know, Delco parts system replacement shocks have only been sold as individually packaged units for years. The price that I provided is a GM list price; these can be purchased for less through "competitive" GM dealers. However, they're still going to cost about $55/each at "rock bottom".

[Eugene B.]

Re: Delco mid-year HD shocks discontinued?

How can buying shock absorbers be this difficult and somewhat confusing? I would be happy with an OEM looking Delco manufactured shock that gets painted the correct color and bolted on. I don't need or want heavy duty shocks.

All things considered, would the Delco manufactured shocks sold by Paragon, P/N 3802 (front) at $50 each and 3803 (rear) at $38 each be bad choices. Maybe they are as good as it gets.

Here's a silly question: I took the original shocks off of my '65. Can anyone out there in the world rebuild a shock absorber?

Thanks and best regards,
Gene

[Joe L.]

Re: Delco mid-year HD shocks discontinued?

Gene-----

You will find the Delco replacement shocks available from Dr. Rebuild, Paragon, and others will be an EXCELLENT replacement for your originals. The external configuration will be virtually identical to the originals save, of course, for "numbers" and "dates". These shocks will perform just about as well, or better, than the originals, so if you're satisfied with the originals, you'll be very satisfied with these.

I know of no reliable way to rebuild an original monotube shock absorber and I know of no one providing the service.

[Eugene B.]

Re: Thanks Joe

Joe,
Thank you for your Email response. You have helped me make up my mind. I'm going with the new Delcos, from one of the above suppliers, and an original paint job.

I was sure that a monotube shock could not be rebuilt.

Thanks again.

Gene

[Rick A.]

Re: Delco mid-year HD shocks discontinued?

Joe,

so, #22046803 (front) and #4940459 (rear) are what I need on my 1963 Z06?

[Joe L.]

Re: Delco mid-year HD shocks discontinued?

Rick-----

Yes, those shocks are the current GM-catalogued replacements for your application. They will NOT be identical to the originals, though, in external configuration. For one thing, the shock tube will be smaller in diameter, especially the front shocks. Also, for the rear shocks, the "hat" section will be configured somewhat differently than the original.

Still, these shocks are going to be the closest thing to the originals that you can get in a NEW shock unless you can find a set of NOS originals (usually, about $2,500 a set IF you can find them).

[Rick A.]

Re: Delco mid-year HD shocks discontinued?

Joe,

thanks for the response - wanted to be sure on the $'s as I have found a NOS set of rears and wanted to ask the seller what the #'s were

[Joe L.]

Re: Delco mid-year HD shocks discontinued?

Rick-----

Original PRODUCTION shocks for your application will carry the part number 3171489. Original 1963-era SERVICE replacement will carry the ON-THE-BOX PART #3166560 and the shocks within will carry the original 3171489 part number. The GM #3166560 shock was available in SERVICE until April, 1970 when it was discontinued and replaced by the GM #4940459 which is still available today. As I have mentioned previously, the shocks in the 4940459 box have "evolved" over the years and the part number on the shocks in the box and the configuration of same may be different depending upon what "production era" the particular shocks originated from.