Hi all, here is some interresting information you may find useful if you do
the rear shock conversion. This information is based on my measurements and
based on information provided on the British Automotive website (url below).
Again, I take absolutely no responsibility for what YOU do to your car, and
also thanks once more to Dave Tietz who did the original research on this
conversion.
I have measured the Colt shocks and find the following:
Extended length measured center-to-center on the mounting holes is 15-5/8".
Compressed length center-to-center is 9-7/8". This yields a total travel of
5-3/4". Because the shock will be tilted somewhat forward when mounted, there
is not a 1:1 ratio when the suspension compresses and decompresses, so the
effective travel is somewhat greater which is a good thing. I have not
measured the actual angle, so I can't give the true number here yet.
BUT.... this 5-3/4" travel number is significant in the following way:
If you have a rubber bumper car, the compressed length of the shock is fine,
but the uncompressed length may be insufficient! You want your axle check
straps to be the final limiting factor during extreme rebound, NOT THE
SHOCKS!!!! If your axle hangs from the shocks, you may severely damage
them!!! If this problem occurs, shorter check straps P/N AHH6355 (Moss P/N
267-565) length 8 1/2" or P/N AHH5081 (Moss P/N 267-610) length 9" can be
fitted to 1974 1/2 on models and should already be fitted to chrome bumper
models. Remember, stock shocks have a vastly greater travel (over 7" if I
recall) than these telescopics.
Note, the Spax kit has shocks with the following dimensions:
16-1/8 extended length and 10-5/8 compressed. This is OK because the Spax
mounting bracket has a 1" upward offset. But the total travel here is only
5.5", so users of these may need shorter rebound straps as well, even on
chrome bumpered cars.
This information is on the British Automotive page here:
http://www.mgbmga.com/tech/mgb13.htm. Doug Jackson is the proprietor and
really did his homework! Thanks Doug!
BTW, the shocks I'm using are the Sears Road Handler Performance Gas which are
really Gabriels. They have the "Velocity Sensitive Technology" which I guess
is like a sensa-trak shock. I haven't put them on, but they seem pretty durn
stiff to me, though nowhere near (not by a very long shot!) as stiff as the
Moss kit, so I think they'll do fine. Those looking for a plusher ride should
go with a softer shock than these. 'Nuf said. I'll follow up after this
weekend once I get the whole lot installed with my new springs. :>
TTFN,
Andy
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