C3 w/F41: Strut rods

[Dan P.]

Does F41 on a '69-'72 call for a different strut rod? Or is the strut rod the same and only the bushing is different (larger diameter bushing)?

Thanks!

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 w/F41: Strut rods

Does F41 on a '69-'72 call for a different strut rod? Or is the strut rod the same and only the bushing is different (larger diameter bushing)?

Thanks!

Dan-----

The strut rods for ALL 1963-74 Corvettes were the same, regardless of suspension. This includes all aspects of their configuration, including the "small" bushings. 1975+ Corvettes used the larger bushing size and these rods became SERVICE for 63-74. However, no 63-74 was ever ORIGINALLY equipped with the rods with the large bushings.

Cars equipped with F-41 suspension did use different shock mount shafts, though.

[Timothy B.]

Re: C3 w/F41: Strut rods

Joe,

What's the difference in the shock mounts from F41 and standard suspension? I have some NOS mounts I purchased for my 63 years ago and they are the newer mounts but look identical to the 929-930.

[Sal C.]

Re: C3 w/F41: Strut rods

The F-41 equipped cars used shafts 3829265 and 266. They had more of an offset to them which allowed the larger diameter F-41 shock absorber to be installed without interferance with the trailing arm. The standard suspension shafts, 3820929 and 930 were superceeded by the F-41 units in the late '70s. I don't believe they are or ever have been reproduced. This is probably one of the most overlooked items on a restored Corvette.

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 w/F41: Strut rods

Joe,

What's the difference in the shock mounts from F41 and standard suspension? I have some NOS mounts I purchased for my 63 years ago and they are the newer mounts but look identical to the 929-930.

Tim-----


It's just as Sal describes. The GM #3820929 and 3820930 were used in PRODUCTION for all standard suspension Corvettes from 1963 right through 1982. However, they were only available in SERVICE until, respectively, February and July, 1978. At that time they were replaced by the GM #3829265 and 3829266. These were the shafts used in PRODUCTION for 1963-82 with HD suspension.

If you bought your replacement shafts from GM since about 1978, they will be the 3829265 and 3829266. Also, if you purchased any of the "reproductions", they will be configured like the 3829265 and 3829266. All of the 3829265 and 3829266 used in PRODUCTION and available in earlier SERVICE had the part number embossed on them. Later SERVICE pieces do not.

If you compare a 3820929/3820930 to a 3829265/3829266 you will discover that there is a considerable difference in configuration.

[Lyndon S.]

Re: C3 w/F41: Strut rods

Joe
Is their anyway you could post some NOS examples of each mount side by side for a comparison?
________
Kelly

[Timothy B.]

Re: C3 w/F41: Strut rods

Thanks Sal and Joe,

I never realized about the offset. I have the later NOS 265-266 that I purchased in 1980 and will compare them to the 929-930 pieces on the car.

[Dan P.]

Re: C3 w/F41: Strut rods

Here's a photo that illustrates the difference. The HD unit is on the left. Note how the "elbow" is beefier. Also note the cast part number on the side.



Photo credit goes to John Hinckley.

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 w/F41: Strut rods

Joe
Is their anyway you could post some NOS examples of each mount side by side for a comparison?
________
Kelly

Kelly------


Here are some photos I made quite some time ago:

http://www.villagephotos.com/pubbrowse.asp?folder_id=1582474