I have a 39 Chevrolet 2 door sedan. Typical small block Chevrolet, weighs 3300 pounds with Mustang II front end. It has shocks off the shelf from NAPA. I want to change the front shock absorbers. What is a good shock to replace what I have.......... Thanks guys, Don Roberts
Why do you want to change them? Are they worn out, or do you mean that you want to go to something stiffer? The shocks you've got should have some sort of number stamped in them.
Did you purchase the shocks or did they come with the IFS? Typically, mfg's use "middle ground" shocks that will cover a broader range of vehicle applications; sometimes they're fine, other times they're not. That also applies to the coil springs. Explain what your reasoning is for wanting different shocks and that should help get you an answer.
Call or write Bilstein...... http://www.bilstein.com/index1.php The price for a quality shock that's valved correctly....is less than ya think...a mono tube would be the ticket....
I have a cupping/scaloping problem on the right tire pretty bad, not so bad on the left. Wheel balance is ok, alignment is ok. Bad shocks would cause an up and down motion to cup a tire. I just want to know if there is something better out there than the NAPA units that are on there, that someone with a 39 has used and are happy with. Don
I guess you've been happy these shocks until they wore out and need replacing, yes? Too bad you didn't notice until the tires were trashed. Probably nothing wrong with what you had except dying of old age, shocks are not forever.
Bilstein is all I use on my new cars and usually on the old stuff, and they're about double what a standard twin-tube shock will run you. But, it's money well spent if you ask me. I've blown out a number of X-brands over the years--never a Bilstein. They can build you a tuned shock specifically for your '39. If you really want a fine-tuned ride, their adjustables are nice.
Adjustable shocks are good if ya use your car in various conditions.....stiff for road racing and soft for everyday driving..... The reality is that guys will get the adjustables, set 'em once, and never touch 'em again.....generally speaking..... It's cheaper to get shocks correctly valved for the application from the start. There are also some shocks on the market with variable dampening (internally)....soft when lightly compressed, but stiffer when forced hard, like a pothole for instance....
That's precisely why I like the adjustable rear shocks in my '53--so I can fine tune depending on load and/or driving conditions. The monotube Bilsteins up front are just right, so I couldn't see needing to ever adjust them. I know it's huge contradiction having bias-ply tires with high-end shocks, but it's the only way I'll ever be happy with the ride/handling qualities (nothing will ever fix the tires inherent flaws, though!). But I agree 100% that a non-adjustable with the correct valving is the way to go dollars- and sense-wise.
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