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Silver Annie · 11-03-2002, 11:28 AM

Please help me resolve the conflicting advice on the forum re: appropriate shocks.

RJ's great site on restoration of his 65 Caravel indicates he used Monroe shocks for the front of a 1960-67 Chevy PU (Napa pn 94005)
Andy posted that "The "Airstream" shock absorber is now made by Gabriel. It is a horizontal shock. A vertical shock will not work properly as a replacement."

What is the difference between a horizontal shock mounted vertically and a vertical shock? The Napa shocks are available locally. What is the performance difference?

Any advice on how to get them compressed the 3 or 4 inches necessary to get them on the frame?

Thanks!

john hd · 11-03-2002, 01:14 PM

Any advice on how to get them compressed the 3 or 4 inches necessary to get them on the frame?

compress the shock to the desired length by hand, then have a helper either wire or tie some string from one end to the other. (try to get it around the eyes on the end not through them)

then you can install the shock, get the bolts or nuts started then cut the string/wire.

as for the differance between horz. and vert. i'm not sure, but i'd bet it has to do with the internal valves.

john

74Argosy24MH · 11-03-2002, 01:55 PM

Valving and the reservoir. Think of a gas tank on a car, pretty flat with the pickup in the center and reaching the bottom. Turn it on end and you will only get half the gas out because the pickup now is halfway up the tank. Basically the same reason a vertical shock won't work in a horizontal position.

John

Silver Annie · 11-03-2002, 04:13 PM

Well, the current shocks ARE mounted vertically. I guess that means that for the 65 Caravel, the Monroe shocks listed by RJ should work better than the horizontal Airstream/Gabriel shock...?

74Argosy24MH · 11-03-2002, 05:00 PM

Check with NAPA and see if that # shock is a horizontal or vertical mount.

John

**Action** · 11-03-2002, 09:38 PM

Annie,

There are but a hand full of shock manufacturers nation wide. They will make a shock to any spec that you want as long as you purchase enough quanity. You can then put your label on it and sell it as yours. That being said ..... if you have a vertical shock then these should work.

NAPA # 94005

Monroe # 30033

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action