Bill,
The parts book shows Girlings being the "Damper complete front" , part
E136023, and the "Alternative Armstrong Shock Absorbers" part 500533, but
does not (unlike other changes) show the starting chassis # for the
change.
Chip Olds, in his T Series Handbook, writes "The vast majority of TDs
left Abingdon with Luvax Girling dampers, but later were replaced by
Armstrong. On Most Armstrong-equipped TDs the front wings were dimpled to
provide clearance over the taller dampers, and I have been told (but
cannot verify) that the chassis bracket for the engine stabiliser was
also modified as a result. The Service Parts List shows both types of
dampers but does not tell us when the switch from Girling to Armstrong
was made. The change was apparently made some time during 1953, but
exactly when is unknown."
TDC 21934 seems to have been built in November 1952. It has
Armstrongs and the dimpled wings. It would seem that your car would have
had the Armstrongs at the beginning.
I have learned today that the right Armstrong damper has three bolt
lengths. The two short ones are outboard, the middle size is inboard
front, and the longest is inboard rear to accomodate a spacer for the
engine mount. Left damper has two lengths. Access to the inner bolts
is no treat. Once loosened 1/2 turn, a 5/8 US sparkplug wrench will fit
on them well enough to turn them out, a better way than one-inch
extensions.
Bob
On Tue, 11 May 2004 10:21:31 -0400 William T Snyder <wtsnyder@juno.com>
writes:
> After inquiring about re builders for TD shocks, one of the list
> members, Dallas Congleton, suggested that he remembered that the front
fender
> design was different for TD's equipped with Girling vs Armstrong
> shocks. He recalled that one of the brands required a hump in the
fender to
> accommodate more travel and prevent upward denting.
>
> My TD is a late '53, but was equipped with front Girling, rear
> Armstrong shocks. I have a pair of Armstrong in better condition that I
plan
> to have rebuilt by Worldwide in Madison, WI, because they are in better
> condition than the Girlings.
>
> Can anyone shed light on this situation? Should my late '53 have
> originally been equipped with Armstrongs all around anyway?
>
> Thanks in advance.........again.
>
> Bill Snyder
> Waynesville, NC
> '53 TD under construction
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