Shock absorber dates vs. car build dates

[Steven S.]

Can anyone tell me what span you could expect to see between a shocks date to the cars build date? I pulled what I believe could be the original front shocks off my January built '66 and these shocks are dated 217 65 A, which I understand is August 5th 1965 (not sure what the "A" signifies). These are the standard 3186906 shocks. Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Steve

[Paul O.]

Re: Shock absorber dates vs. car build dates

Steve I have heard that they were built in batches so they may build enough let say to do 5,000 cars. Then when the factory supply dropped to a predetermined level a new batch was made. I don't know if this is fact but it would not be cost effective to build just a few a day. Paul

[Don G.]

Re: Shock absorber dates vs. car build dates

As a general rule ,the NCRS judging standard is within six months prior to the vehicle build except for glass where a 12 month standard is used because of the batch build process. If the same part number shock on the same car have the same or close build dates it is an indication they are original.

[Wayne M.]

Re: Shock absorber dates vs. car build dates

Can anyone tell me what span you could expect to see between a shocks date to the cars build date? I pulled what I believe could be the original front shocks off my January built '66 and these shocks are dated 217 65 A, which I understand is August 5th 1965 (not sure what the "A" signifies). These are the standard 3186906 shocks. Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Steve

Steve -- here's a thread from January; my post (#3) shows the spread on my early '65 standard shocks, both front & rear. The dates on your rears sound OK to me.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...86906&uid=7703

[Steven S.]

Re: Shock absorber dates vs. car build dates

Thanks everyone, both of these shocks do have the same build date, and knowing the condition I purchased this car in, I felt there was a pretty good chance they were original equipment even though their dates did seem a bit spread out from the cars build date.

Thanks again,
Steve