'63 steering damper date/color survey

[Jon R.]

Hi all,

The steering damper/stabilizer/shock is missing on my otherwise fairly original low milage driver 300HP Mid-May NON-power steering coupe. I wanted to install one with a proper date. I know that NCRS allows a six month window, however, I would like to try and find one with a similar date to other cars built around the same time as mine.

So, can anyone provide the time spread from shock date to actual build date for their '63?

Also, what color is it? Grey or black? Judging manual says grey, but all I have seen are black.

Thanks,

Jon

[Jon R.]

Re: '63 steering damper date/color survey

From the lack of responses, I wonder if anyone even has an original steering damper?

[John D.]

Re: '63 steering damper date/color survey

Jon, Personally your post is confusing. (at least to me). You say you have a shock that is supposed to be dated on your original steering damper???
Then you said you have a NON power steering car???
My 63 FI car does not have a dated shock for the steering.
This may be the reason for no replies. John D.

JOn, Are you referring to the coupler (rag joint) assembly? Now that I have had my coffee I think that's what you are talking about. I never heard much said about them being dated. But since most everything is maybe they are.

[Jon R.]

Re: '63 steering damper date/color survey

John,

Thanks for the response. Maybe I am misunderstanding.

Please correct me if I am wrong, but I thought that cars WITH power steering did not have the steering damper/stabilizer/shock which is why I specifically noted that my car is NON power steering. I also thought that the higher HP cars (340 and your FI) did not have the steering shock either as it was discovered that it interfered with the oil pan. This leaves only the 250 and 300HP NON power steering cars that would even have the steering shock. Is this not correct?

Regards,

Jon

[Jon R.]

Re: '63 steering damper date/color survey

John,

Not the coupler (rag joint) but the steering shock stabilizer (item 16) as seen in the image below 'borrowed' (hope that is OK!) from the Long Island Corvette catalog.

Regards,

Jon

[John D.]

Re: '63 steering damper date/color survey

Jon, Strange there is zero response on a 63 question. What's the AIMS have? JD

[Jon R.]

Re: '63 steering damper date/color survey

John,

The AIM shows the steering shock absorber assembly on Section 9, Sheets 1.00 and 3.00. It also shows the cylinder for the power steering option in a similar location to the steering shock absorber on Section N40, Sheet 3.00. So, it does appear that cars with power steering would not have the steering shock absorber.

Jon

[Mike M.]

Re: '63 steering damper date/color survey

Are you sure they are dated?

[Jon R.]

Re: '63 steering damper date/color survey

Mike,

It does not mention dating in the TIM&JG, but I have seen many examples of the steering shock absorber that are stamped/dated similar to the shock absorbers at the 4 wheels.

Jon

[Alan B.]

Re: '63 steering damper date/color survey

Is it true as mentioned above that all of the 340 hp non power steering cars do not have the shock damper? My '63 with a 340 does not have the damper but I always thought that it had been removed for some reason - lots of changes on my car are a mystery.

[Timothy B.]

Re: '63 steering damper date/color survey

Alan, T

The steering stablizer interferes with the 5 quart oil pan so it's not used on the solid lifter cars.

If you post some of your questions about the 63, there are some people here that may be able to answer and clear things up..

[Jon R.]

Re: '63 steering damper date/color survey

Alan,

The TIM&JG states "Non-power steering equipped 1963 and 1964 base engine and L75 engines have a grey painted steering shock absorber." So, only the 250 and 300HP cars should have the steering shock absorber.

I would guess that the Guide does not mention the dating or part number since it would be nearly impossible to see on the judging field.

I am still hopeful that someone has their original steering shock and can help with the date issue!

Jon

[Gene M.]

Re: '63 steering damper date/color survey

I don't know if all the cylinders are dated or not. But I do have two originals (off Corvettes, not nos) in one of my parts boxes and they do have dates. They, if I remember correctly are stamped on the same end as the part number and identification. Sorry I don't recall the dates, and I just happen to look at them the other day.

[Carl S.]

Re: '63 steering damper date/color survey

My Feb built 63 300 hp has a black damper I will look at the date code an part # as soon as I can. I have never seen a gray one on a car except ones panted that way to agree with the JG. They were made in the same factory and painted on the same paint line. Black was the color in 63 and Gray was the color for 64.

[Ron B.]

Re: '63 steering damper date/color survey

Jon:
All GM shocks and stablizers have dates and part numbers. I believe 1963 is the last year both shocks and stabilizers are GM black.
Ron