396 shocks

[Bill W.]

I have a pair of correct ? NOS 396 rear shocks GM part # 4940459 I bought them about 20 years ago .They have the large shaft and the large washer at the top . I know the part # and the date are not correct but they look right . The assy. manual says the 396 uses the same as the F40 . My question is does anyone make a reasonably correct front F40 /396 shock ?

[Wayne M.]

Re: 396 shocks

Bill --- my Jan '70 P&A30B is the first parts book that shows 4940459 as the rear H.D. shock for Corvette. Prior to that ('63-'69) the F40 rear is #3166560 (stamped 3171489). Maybe there was a recalibration starting in the 1970 MY. What is the stamped # on your 4940459 ?

The note on that page in the '65 AIM (UPC L78 sheet A2) says the asterisk (*) means that L78 front and rear suspension for 396 cars is assembled the same as F40 [not that it is necessarily the same components].

[Mark D.]

Re: 396 shocks

I believe America's Finest has them.

[Bill W.]

Re: 396 shocks

Wayne the shock is marked 4940607 with a 319 date and is stamped Delco products dayton ohio usa Bottom . it is painted black and the part # on the box is 4940459 . If its not for my 65 what is for ? what shocks are correct for a 396 that does not have F40 ?

[Mark D.]

Re: 396 shocks

607 had a smaller diameter and came into being the first week of January, 1969. After its last F41 use as an assembly line shock, in 1972 (or there abouts)...it entered service.

All 607 were Julian date coded. The shock you need for MY 1965 is 489 (not julian date coded) rear and 488 front.

[Wayne M.]

Re: 396 shocks

Bill -- here's shots of the originals [non-F40] removed from my early '65 small block. Note the blue-ish tint. Stamps: fronts 3186906; rears 3186907.


36 gal frt-2.JPG4shocks36gal.JPG36gal frt-1.JPG

[Bill W.]

Re: 396 shocks

Wayne & Mark .I see the non F40 396 took the same front & rear shock as the small block . 906 &907 per judging manual . Mark what is a 489 &488 ?
What are my 4940459 s for .

[Mark D.]

Re: 396 shocks

Sorry, Bill...my bad. I thought you were looking for F40 shocks.

Mark

[Joe L.]

Re: 396 shocks

Wayne & Mark .I see the non F40 396 took the same front & rear shock as the small block . 906 &907 per judging manual . Mark what is a 489 &488 ?
What are my 4940459 s for .

Bill------

The 4940459 are the L69+ HD shocks. They were available in SERVICE for many years and their configuration did change in some minor ways over those years.

[Dan P.]

Re: 396 shocks

I can help you with your shocks Dan Patch cell 913 268 5314 913 268 5314

[F S.]

Re: 396 shocks

Does anyone know,if the new Judging Guide, 6th Edition, will be changing the F-40 date coding for the shocks?? And, then, if its not out, will the 5th Edition be used for the next Judging Meet?