1968 Delco shocks, what are these?

[Lance H.]

I find I have a pair of front shocks that have been sitting around here since the old days when I worked on midyears when they were new.

Stamped into the tube:

Delco Products
Dayton Ohio
3198204 4 D 68
P2004

...other shock is the same except for date code 11 B 68

Color is green. Label says "Delco Pleasurizer HD". They are excellent condition, no rust, have been mounted but otherwise near new looking.

I know the date codes are 4th Apr 1968 & 11th Feb 1968, and an old Delco parts book indicates 1963-73 application.

Original take offs? Replacements made in 68? Anybody know for sure?

Thanks.

[Jim T.]

Re: 1968 Delco shocks, what are these?

I have the original shocks from my 68 convertible in the garage somewhere that I removed about 28 years ago. I know they are not the same color as your front shocks.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1968 Delco shocks, what are these?

I find I have a pair of front shocks that have been sitting around here since the old days when I worked on midyears when they were new.

Stamped into the tube:

Delco Products
Dayton Ohio
3198204 4 D 68
P2004

...other shock is the same except for date code 11 B 68

Color is green. Label says "Delco Pleasurizer HD". They are excellent condition, no rust, have been mounted but otherwise near new looking.

I know the date codes are 4th Apr 1968 & 11th Feb 1968, and an old Delco parts book indicates 1963-73 application.

Original take offs? Replacements made in 68? Anybody know for sure?

Thanks.

Lance------

These are not original equipment shocks. All Delco "Pleasurizers" are SERVICE replacement items. However, the valving may be similar to original shocks. They are usually configured like original shocks, except for color and labels. Other than broadcast code labels, original shocks had no labels placed on them.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1968 Delco shocks, what are these?

Are the original 1968 stamped "PLYACEL" like the later shocks? I might have that spelling wrong -- I would have to look at my 1970 origianals to be sure of the spelling.

[Paul O.]

Re: 1968 Delco shocks, what are these?

Terry

I think the correct spelling is PLIACELL.

Paul 18046

[Lance H.]

Re: 1968 Delco shocks, what are these?

Lance------

These are not original equipment shocks. All Delco "Pleasurizers" are SERVICE replacement items. However, the valving may be similar to original shocks. They are usually configured like original shocks, except for color and labels. Other than broadcast code labels, original shocks had no labels placed on them.

Thanks, Joe. My 65 & 66 survivor cars have their original F41 shocks, and without removing them to check, they eyeball identical to these (except I know they are stamped "Pliacell" and the correct part #). The tube on these 68 shocks measures approx 1 7/8, shaft .488. I guess at the end of the day they are not really useful for much.

Lance

[Terry M.]

Re: 1968 Delco shocks, what are these?

Terry

I think the correct spelling is PLIACELL.

Paul 18046

Your spelling looks a lot better than mine. Spell check isn't worth a do do on this either.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1968 Delco shocks, what are these?

Thanks, Joe. My 65 & 66 survivor cars have their original F41 shocks, and without removing them to check, they eyeball identical to these (except I know they are stamped "Pliacell" and the correct part #). The tube on these 68 shocks measures approx 1 7/8, shaft .488. I guess at the end of the day they are not really useful for much.

Lance

Lance-----

Original F-41 shocks should have a larger tube OD than the Delco Pleasurizers. Also, the rear F-41 have no shaft guards unlike every Delco Pleasurizer I have seen which all do have shaft guards.

The "Pleasurizers" should be very close in configuration to the original standard suspension shock absorbers, though. A LOT more folks are looking for that configuration than for the F-41 shock configuration.

[Lance H.]

Re: 1968 Delco shocks, what are these?

Lance-----

Original F-41 shocks should have a larger tube OD than the Delco Pleasurizers. Also, the rear F-41 have no shaft guards unlike every Delco Pleasurizer I have seen which all do have shaft guards.

The "Pleasurizers" should be very close in configuration to the original standard suspension shock absorbers, though. A LOT more folks are looking for that configuration than for the F-41 shock configuration.

Joe, the Delco parts book shows both a standard front "Pleasurizer" and a "Pleasurizer HD", and as these are the HDs I'm assuming they were replacements for the F-41s.

Lance

[Joe L.]

Re: 1968 Delco shocks, what are these?

Joe, the Delco parts book shows both a standard front "Pleasurizer" and a "Pleasurizer HD", and as these are the HDs I'm assuming they were replacements for the F-41s.

Lance

Lance-----


The Pleasurizer HD shocks that I've seen have the same external configuration as the plain Pleasurizer shocks and the same as standard suspension 63-82 shocks. I've never seen a Pleasurizer HD which was configured like the F-41 shocks. Can you post photos of these Pleasurizer HD shocks?

[Lance H.]

Re: 1968 Delco shocks, what are these?

Joe,

Here are pics. Without taking the original F-41s off of one of my survivors to compare up close and personal, if these things were grey they look indistinguishable to me in appearance.

And why they have chassis black overspray on them the way original shocks did is a mystery, as there would have been no reason they would have ever been on a restored car, besides my having them long before midyears were being restored.

Lance

[Paul O.]

Re: 1968 Delco shocks, what are these?

Lance

Those shocks are just a Delco service replacement front shocks. The shape of the body is not typical for the original shocks of that era whether a standard or F-41 heavy duty shock. Also have never seen a front original shock with black paint over spray on them. Most likely your favorite rattle can man was on the loose painting black on the undercarriage. These shocks are available on ebay and other places in ether green or a gold body paint.


Paul 18046

[Joe L.]

Re: 1968 Delco shocks, what are these?

Joe,

Here are pics. Without taking the original F-41s off of one of my survivors to compare up close and personal, if these things were grey they look indistinguishable to me in appearance.

And why they have chassis black overspray on them the way original shocks did is a mystery, as there would have been no reason they would have ever been on a restored car, besides my having them long before midyears were being restored.

Lance

Lance-----


The original 1967 F-41 shocks had a tube that was 1.7" OD. So, that may or may not be the same as these shocks. However, as Paul pointed out, these particular shocks are not configured like the F-41 shocks. Note the reduced diameter section on either end of the tube. The originals were not configured like this.

Also, as it turns out, these are not even configured like the standard shocks used on 63-82 Corvettes. I do not recall previously seeing any Delco shocks configured like these.

The green color and foil labels are VERY consistent with Delco replacement shocks of the period.