mystery coil over shocks.

[GreginCanada]

Hi everyone. I am starting to renovate the 1977 Lola I bought last summer and have started to clean up the shocks. They don't have a Man. name or logo on them. They are posibly even original as the car hasen't seen a great deal of use or from what I can see overhaul work from new, stored for the last 20 years. However they are gas charged and I am not sure if gas shocks go back as far as the late 70's.
They do have what I presume is a part number 1602467040 and on the opposite side 180 60 .
Anybody recognise them ?

Thanks , Greg

[Joe Bass]

Bilstein brand

[Hawke]

The number 180 60 is a Bilstien number that designates its resistance at a particular shaft speed. You can get the exact details from the Bilstien web site.

[GreginCanada]

Thanks guys ! Thats a great help.

Greg

[alangbaker]

Not only are they Bilsteins, but I had a set that look almost exactly like that rebuilt by them 4 years ago.

Try:

Tim Godshall,
Technical Sales Motorsports

ThyssenKrupp Bilstein of America
293 Timber Road | Mooresville NC 28115 | USA
+1 858 386-5944 office | fax +1 858 386-5244
tim.godshall@bilsteinus.com

The numbers are in in tens of Newtons of force at 50 cm/s, IIRC and they're basically linear damping.

[problemchild]

Although they are not adjustable, they are a quality damper, which when used on the car that they were valved for, will work well.. They are very very durable, so if still charged, will probably work just fine. Personally, I would use them as-is, and when the time comes that I think I need better shocks, rather than rebuild, I would replace with an adjustable shock.

[Phil Creighton]

I would echo what Greg said - if they have pressure use them. We have a set on a vintage (?) Royale S2 that work fine as long as you stay close to original spring rates
Phil

[bob darcey]

Is there a resource anywhere for calculating the right range of valving? I have a set, 220/80 fronts, 180/60 rears that I'd like to use on a vintage FF.

[GreginCanada]

Thanks for all the information guys. I have only looked at one of them yet but it is definately still retaining its gas charge.
The reason I was curious about if it could be the origional to the car is that it was removed from the right rear corner of the car and it has a tiny RR stamped on one of the mounting eyes.
I suppose that a very fastidious owner may have taken the trouble to mark the shock with its position but this strikes me as something more likely to have occurred back at the Lola factory. Or am I giving Lola too much credit ? I will have a good look at the other 3 and see if they are all marked for their respective position.

Greg

[Offcamber1]

you give Lola too much credit.

Is this a 440 you are restoring?

Kip

[GreginCanada]

No , it's a T492. I have a project T540 but its a long , long way away from seeing action again. I bought it a few years back as the start of a auto - X car. Don't worry , it was already a piece of junk that was realistically well beyond resurrection as a Formula Ford. It would have been a good addition to the bike engine T540 project { worst project ever } a couple of days ago. But too much distance involved to unite a pair of "on the verge of lost cause " Lola's.
The 492 turned up as if by magic { karma ? } after a longish , unsuccessful hunt for a " affordable " Royale or similar project S2. I wasn't even really looking for a T492, having considered them beyond my budget. I am really happy this one turned up, it even { just } fitted my modest budget.



Greg