i dont know if these things have an expiry date on ;'em;

but i do know they dont use oil in em like they used to!

gas obviously being better than oil, but how does that affect the old cars?

discuss!

 

IMHO Your car doesn't look too origional. Why would you want to?

 

For what it's worth, gas shocks do use oil (metered through an orifice) as the dampening mechanism. The high-pressure gas is only there to prevent the oil from foaming, which means the shocks will act more consistently, even under heavy usage.

If the NOS shocks are truly new, if they are not gas-charged (which would leak out over the years), if their rods are not rusted, if they show no signs of oil leakage, and if they offer lots of resistance as you compress and extend them by hand, then they are probably just fine. There's not much that can go wrong with a shock while it's sitting on the shelf.

 

I would only be concerned with the internal rubber seals deteriorating through age and oil contact.

If they are still good, I would sell them to someone who is doing a full restoration and wants everything original.
Not worth putting NOS shocks on a non-original car, especially that there are so many other better performing shocks out there. If you want original looks, just paint some new ones dark grey.

 

X2 Exactly.

 

thanks everyone...i guess i shoulda included a bit more in the way of information..

i picked up a lot of Olds parts, and there was a set of NOS shocks for the cutlass.

i'm considering using them just 'cuz i already have them ( and to save a few bucks)
good point about the seals and such...God knows ive seen these leak before !

my car is not original..its slightly modified, different trans, lowered etc.
i would expect the shocks i install to perform rather than be original. i only asked because i have these shocks for free, rather than having to buy a set.



ps. the avatar car is NOT my ride lol

 

Oh, NOW you tell us!!


I bought some Bilsteins and I will be painting them "NOS shock grey"...

 

dont you keep up with the 'major builds' threads?

this is mine:

 

I see - "Never judge a member by the avitar"
Unfortunately, I have not been able to keep up with them all. I spend more time problem solving then browsing. Not enough time in a day I guess... Loosing the ability to access this site at home has limited me even more.

Great job so far its coming together nicely. That red IS blinding; you should get an insurance discount for improved visibility.
I envy the guys who can keep up with a frame off resto; not sure if I can ever do that - no space or time.

When do you think you will have it all back together? Target date maybe?

 

i will never do another frame off in my life. it is a huge undertaking. im basically rebuilding every part that is still readily availble.

this project has seen me go through 1 marriage, 2 moves and several girlfriends LOL

14 years of ownership, 11 of those have been dismantled (they come apart too easily lol)

i am finally in the assembly stage, and have most of my parts together,. i WILL (MUST!) have it running by this summer, and the final red layer of torch red (which is BACK FOR 2010 in the GM line up!) will go on then.


i plan to drive it on a big trip once its done!

(and maybe regain some of my sanity lol)