<VV> Re: VirtualVairs Digest, Vol 23, Issue 26

[Crawford Rose]

Regarding the Bilstein responses, I installed one of them tonight into my 64 
Spyder convertible.  The fit is perfect but I need to address some of the 
suggestions that were posted to verify and eliminate myths.  (1) The part 
number of the Bilstein Sport for Corvette application is F4-B36-0222-H0. The 
heavy duty part number is the 0946. (2) These shocks are about one inch 
longer overall than the Clark Gabriel Red Ryders that they are replacing. 
The shock body is about a half inch longer. The diameter is SMALLER than the 
Gabriel so any advice that the hole must be torched and ground up is 
erroneous. The diameter of the piston is probably a little over an inch and 
the diameter of the body is about 1.3 inches. (3) My car is leaf sprung 
being a 64 but this gas pressurized application will increase downward 
pressure on the A-arm on most non-leafsprung cars as Smitty indicated. 
Therefore, the increased length of the shaft could "make Ralph right" 
because the travel of the arm could increase "tuck under". (4) The bolt 
holes are set apart perfectly, bolt without binding and slots are absolutely 
unnecessary. (5) The 64 rear springs are dismal compared to any modern car 
but upon jouncing the car, the springs stop oscillating in two cycles as 
opposed to about four on the Gabriel Red Ryder side. Admittedly the shocks 
are used but those are not worn out with about 25,000 miles on them. (6) The 
instructions are poor as to what each part does and I wondered about having 
an extra piece so I installed it between the rubber cushions under the 
spring hat.  Uses a 17 mm lock nut on the shaft. (7) The installation was 
comparable to installing gas shocks on other Corvairs I have owned. Any 
other questions?
Crawford Rose