Took the shocks off my car last night, and low-behold ... I think they are original. Well, the car only had 56k when it left the road in 1980. Shocks even act like they're still good.

Anyhow ... curious part, is how do I read the date code. The shocks say 004 69. Typically this means Jan 04,69 ... but my car was built 09C. Does it mean 4th day of '69 model (3rd week Sept), or did somebody actually put new shocks on a car after 4 months?

Also, not a sale ad ... but is there a market to put these on Ebay, or junk them?

Neal...I am pretty sure the shocks are dated by the day they were built. Those would be the 4th day of 69. Do not junk them. If you sell them, I may be interested in them for spares.

What is the shock part number before the date code?
That shock date decodes as being assembled on the 4th day of 1969,or Jan 4th,1969.
09C is a September,3rd week assembled Vehicle,but they should be dated Pre 09C to be considered Assembly line components.
I too am interested in these.

Well, I'll look up the part number this evening ... again not trying to post a "for sale", guess I just won't junk them yet and probably throw on Ebay sometime to help with my body-work cost.

When looking at them ... the paint is all decent, under lots of grease (no rust) ... the shaft has a couple rings from where I had to grab it with pliers ... but to move them up/down, I can still here fluid, and they seem to "dampen" through the whole stroke. Is this kind of condition considered sale-able?

Anyhow ... yep, the cowl tag and VIN definitely seem to match (no buildsheet). Trim Tag says 09C ... VIN, KAN3010**. Very early car!

Odd though ... that the car would have, I guess what appears to be a warranty replacement shock on both sides. I'll have to post the part numbers tonight ... can you tell anything from a shock body, that it is an over-counter item as opposed to car-assembled?

Thanks, Neal

Did the car have or not have F40 or F41 originally? Perhaps the original owner didn't like the ride and they were changed to either softer or stiffer shocks early in life?

No buildsheet ... so no way to really tell.

It is a SBC w/ Air ... though, I think that only changes the springs.

I did take the small (7/8") sway bar off the front ... and no rear sway, or control arm brace.

I just keep thinking about it ... It would take an extremely astute individual to feel if a car's shocks were loose inside of 3 months under warranty. If I didn't like the shocks GM put on the first time ... I probably wouldn't be going to a dealer to get replacements ... plus both have the same date code 004 69.

My next train of thought is the frame ... frame is completely stripped, and didn't look like it had ever been out from under the body ... but where do I find the VIN on the rear rail again? Maybe somebody had to replace a bent frame?

Thanks, Neal

OK, the p/n on the shock body is 3192822 ... does that mean much for application?
Neal

Quick question here, can these shocks be restore? If yes, who does them? I know a gentleman who wants to have two restored.

Thanks

Spiral Shock #3192822 was originally used on 1968 Chevelles ONLY-Except Super Sports,Station Wagons,H.D. Suspension,Air suspension.Your dates dictate service replacements.
I have yet to see or meet anyone who can do a thorough or respectable restoration on Spiral shocks today.