Dumbest question of all time

I have a 39 chevy coming to the shop this week and I need to add oil to the shocks. What should I add to it to be compatible with the original stuff or should I try to flush them out somehow. I was thinking of just adding motorcycle fork oil it seems to be pretty much the same thing. So what did they use way back when?

 

I'm not sure but you should be able to find out in an old motor manual or on one of the restorer sites.
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyowner/41om53.htm

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyowner/41omindex.htm
Now all you need is your secret decoder ring to figure out what he said about the viscosity of the shock oil.

 

I thought it was just standard hydraulic oil.

 

Me too but the owner says its not and I would hate to use it and then have to explain why I need to rebuild both shocks

 

Of course he is only sure of what not to use, he doesn't have any idea what I should use

 

God love him, that's just too darn funny!

 

I'm not really sure-and not near any of my references. You might check with the AACA;s Chevy forum-might be something there.

http://forums.aaca.org/f175/

 

My '60s mechanics manual for my Thriumph motorcycle says to use motorcycle fork oil or if not available replace with ATF.

 

Just use hydraulic jack oil thats what was recommended to me by the experts over at the vcca.org site

 

I use Penrite for my TR4 lever shocks.

http://www.victoriabritish.com/icatalog/tc/full.aspx?Page=104

 

Just call your local Auto Zone or Pep Boys and ask for Brody or Chaz. One them will fix you right up.

 

I have a can of it, OAS,(old ancient stock, ha, ha), called Shock Absorber Oil/Fluid, but it's 10 degrees F outside and I ain't goin' out tonight. I think it was a vegetable base oil, like wesson oil. I'll get back with more information tomorrow. In the past I have used wesson oil.
As Tims37chevy says, I think jack oil would work.

He's the one that needs to specify what oil he wants.

 

Just run down to the dealer and pic up a can of this

 

I just looked in my '35 chevvy manual and all it says is to use Genuine Cheverolet Shock Insulation Fluid, that it is good to 40 below and that you can get it at all Chevrolet zone warehouses.
Sorry, hoped i could do better oj

 

Only on the hamb could this happen, LOL

 

The original was called "GM Shock Insulating Fluid". Will work at -40° F. Here's a reference to it in a '35 manual.... (under Care)

http://old-carburetors.com/1935-Chevy/082.htm

And yes, I'm a slow typer too

Maybe Fritz got some as a "parting" gift......

 

im guessing its all gonna pour back out any way!!! it sure came a rushin back out when filled i my 47 chevys up so i packed em with grease it helped a little and sure as hell cant afford rebuilt ones from chevs of the 40s

 

I don't think so. He brought his vehicle to a mechanic, he should not be required to know more than the mechanic......

 

Hydraulic jack oil worked in the shocks on my '46 Chevy and '51 Buick just fine.

 

I'm still laughing!!!! Weeeeeeee.............anyway......auto trans fluid will work and it won't call everytomcat within a 5 mile radius......(some of the old fluids were fish oil back then,,,,used in shocks and motorcycle forks....Cod oil, to be exact!)

 

the old manuals ive got call for glycerine cut 10% with alcohol for the houdille lever shocks. not sure if it applies to chevys....

 

years ago i tried different oils...then used grease, yup right out of the grease gun!!!!!! never had to refill again.

 

Hydraulic jack oil even says "Shock Absorber Oil" on the container... or used to anyway.
It has been the standard shock oil since shocks needed oil.

Grease certainly won't need to be refilled again BUT it likely isn't working the shock either. I would never try that trick.

The deal is this, the shocks require jack oil/shock oil and if it all leaks out they need replacing or rebuilding or to be replaced by modern tubular shocks. The right way is the right way and shocks are a safety item.

 

My DD is a '67 BGT... on my lever shocks, I was told to only use shock fluid available from one of the British car suppliers or motorcycle fork fluid... and NOT to use hydraulic jack fluid.

Why not the jack fluid? It has to do with foaming and eventually creating an air pocket in the shock etc etc... so what do I put in my BGT shocks?

Well hydraulic jack fluid of course! lol... I've been told not to, but haven't noticed any ill effects yet. And I drive the piss outta that little car.

-Chris

 

Thanks For the advice, and the winner is.....Fork Oil. It sounds like the most logical choice and hell if it doesnt work I,ll put something a little heavier in, Something has to be better than nothing in this case, but if he wants to use this car a lot he will need to think about replacing or upgrading to tube shocks

 

I used Hydraulic jack oil in my '35 and '36 Truck shocks. worked fine.
The key question is ...WHY does he need new fluid in them?

 

old fluids were fish oil back then,

That was so you could smell when you had a leaky shock....

 

Hmmm, I'm thinking back to my '48 Chevy front shocks which, when I filled them, leaked like sieves. My guess is, whatever fancy shmancy shock absorber fluid you use will pour out as fast as you can pour it in...

 

I had a 46 military dodge 3/4 ton weapons carrier. That sucker had th lever shocks too. It also had 10 3.8 leafs on the back and I dodnt think the shock absorbers ever moved. Realistically, Id go with the fork oil too. It seems to be the closest.

 

give the guys at five points classic auto shocks a call..

www.classicautoshocks.com They are in so cal and have every shock ever made... also sell rebuild parts and bushings and oil..

Ace