bub

I see in my black book where < 1,000 of these RPO F40 suspension package cars were produced.

What was the content of this package back in 1965? Black book is a bit vague on that point.

Assume it was stiffer springs, bars, &/or shocks?

Bluestripe67

Yes, HD springs, shocks and sway bars made up the F-40 package. The F-40 used in '65 was a carry over from '64 (only used with L-84 FI engine) with one exception, the L-78 BB option. My source of information lists the F-40 front bar dia. as 15/16, the dia. with L-78 BB was 7/8. F-40 did not carry over into '66 as an option, it was the standard suspension but no rear bar. F-41 option took it's place. Someone else may add to or correct this. Dennis

mashinter

Here's a description of F-41 for 1966. I think the suspension bits are the same. This is from Corvette News.

66since71

The larger diameter rear shock also drove a specific lower shock mount, at some point in the F40/41/FE7 package

Harry

Larry N. Johnson

Does anyone know for sure the F40 shock color?

I heard gray but then pages 56 and 57 of "Corvette Restoration State of the Art" shows the shocks as blue on a 65 396 car.

Any help appreciated.

JohnZ

Same Delco blue/gray as the standard shocks.

Larry N. Johnson

John,
Thank you. Where can a person get the right paint color?

JohnZ

Quanta has it, and so do most of the other Corvette vendors - "Delco shock paint".

Larry N. Johnson

Are they this dark?
"F41 Shocks"

JohnZ

The color varied and changed with age, but those shown below are typical of what they looked like when new.

Larry N. Johnson

Thanks John,
Not really high gloss but not really satin either....

Larry N. Johnson

The labels "EP" and "EN" are for
Heavey Duty Shocks
EP rear
EN front


Correct?

JohnZ

Yup.

Larry N. Johnson

Yesterday UPS made my day:

Larry N. Johnson

The NCRS "1965 Corvette Technical Information Manual and Judging Guide" on page 143 regarding front springs says "The F40 front springis color coded with dark green paint. See table." The table says "F-40 (L84 and L78 only) bar 15/16" diameter, front spring part number 3832518, Spring code EA, Front Shock Part Number 3171488."

Questions: What is meant by "dark green paint"? The whole spring painted dark green? Partial paint? How dark? Is there a source for the paint?

Any hints appreciated.

JohnZ

The paint is a stripe, applied with about a 3/4" brush, running vertically from top to bottom.

Larry N. Johnson

OK, than you John....off to Home Depot!

Larry N. Johnson

Hope this approximates the factory F40 spring look:

JohnZ

Yes, it does. If it matters, the rotor splash shield was silver zinc plated, not gold dichromated.

Larry N. Johnson

Thank you (again) John! Yes it does mater to me as we are "restoring" not "rebuilding". So we fixed the splash shield.
BTW, those are Van Steel calipers w original correct casting numbers.