shocks

[VAMP3D]

I just realized something. The whole reason I started this thread was because I didn't know what to ask for when I go to the parts store tomorrow. If I say "shocks for a 1978 Caddy Hearse", I imagine I won't get very far.

[Flymanj3]

Speaking of shocks, are regular air shocks the same as used in 'level ride' systems? Do they just hook up to the onboard compressor?

[mdeanr]

Speaking of shocks, are regular air shocks the same as used in 'level ride' systems? Do they just hook up to the onboard compressor?

very good question.

[northgahearse]

Speaking of shocks, are regular air shocks the same as used in 'level ride' systems? Do they just hook up to the onboard compressor?

nope

you can get replacement to the stock air compressor big money
or go just air shock that you mount a line to the rear bumper aera and fill like a tire...

ok i was wrong the rear on our 78
the upper mount is a "cross pin" and the lower mount they call the "loop mount" i think

looks like this
im trying to find the part # in all my car notes

but the book calls for the studs on both ends and that is what is on all the pre 77 cars


best idea is to take one off to match up
and if you use auto zone good luck they will tell you that car don't have shocks or some shit like that ..

find a napa store they have a clue most the time

good luck ill keep looking for the part # i know i got it someplace

[msc0nduct]

I just realized something. The whole reason I started this thread was because I didn't know what to ask for when I go to the parts store tomorrow. If I say "shocks for a 1978 Caddy Hearse", I imagine I won't get very far.

You ask for 1978 cadillac fleetwood air shocks. Air shocks are air shocks.

[northgahearse]

You ask for 1978 cadillac fleetwood air shocks. Air shocks are air shocks.

sorry thats wrong the parts books list parts for a caddy car but as you will learn alot of the hardcore parts like brakes shoes pads boosters master cylinder suspension parts are heavy duty and a mix match of things some are true truck parts .... also coach builders might use what ever they might have laying around to save $$$$
as i said in the last post the book calls for one type 70- 80s cars but the rears are not what the parts store guy will give you

pull and match is always the best bet

[msc0nduct]

sorry thats wrong the parts books list parts for a caddy car but as you will learn alot of the hardcore parts like brakes shoes pads boosters master cylinder suspension parts are heavy duty and a mix match of things some are true truck parts .... also coach builders might use what ever they might have laying around to save $$$$
as i said in the last post the book calls for one type 70- 80s cars but the rears are not what the parts store guy will give you

pull and match is always the best bet

Thank you for the correction.

[northgahearse]

Thank you for the correction.

its all good i had to learn the hardway and still am

[northgahearse]

found my shit funny what cold ass days will lead to like cleaning up the house .....

now a little story about 78 shocks

if you go to the parts store and ask for rear air shocks for a 78 caddy fleetwood or deville or the commercial chassis the parts book or parts computer will tell you you need monroe part # ma739

funny thing is ma739 will fit 1976 back well to 68 that i know of

but what you need for a 1978 is ma751 it fits the limo of that year maybe more ....

now was this a caddy thing or something they did at the Miller-Meteor factory using what ever they had laying around at the time


but anyway look to be sure but the ma751 fits our 78

and now a few pics to compair and see what you got the first is the ma751 next is the ma 739 that the book calls for with just studs and no loop crosspin

hope that helps now back to whatever you were doing

[Kaos Photo]

found my shit funny what cold ass days will lead to like cleaning up the house .....

now a little story about 78 shocks

if you go to the parts store and ask for rear air shocks for a 78 caddy fleetwood or deville or the commercial chassis the parts book or parts computer will tell you you need Monroe part # ma739

funny thing is ma739 will fit 1976 back well to 68 that i know of

but what you need for a 1978 is ma751 it fits the limo of that year maybe more ....

now was this a caddy thing or something they did at the Miller-Meteor factory using what ever they had laying around at the time


but anyway look to be sure but the ma751 fits our 78

and now a few pics to compare and see what you got the first is the ma751 next is the ma 739 that the book calls for with just studs and no loop crosspin

hope that helps now back to whatever you were doing

That does help! You were also right about the dimmer switch solving my light problem! I believe our coaches are related! Have you done any brake work on yours? Just wondering if the brakes are special or if regular caddy brake will work!

[northgahearse]

That does help! You were also right about the dimmer switch solving my light problem! I believe our coaches are related! Have you done any brake work on yours? Just wondering if the brakes are special or if regular caddy brake will work!

no brakes yet but being the downsize caddy im sure its stock pads and shoes ... and its a good idea to replace the rear hardware at the same time cheep kits 20.00 or less

[mdeanr]

measure to be sure.........i'm not sure on the downsized hearses, but on my 73 the shoes and pads are larger than stock.

[northgahearse]

measure to be sure.........i'm not sure on the downsized hearses, but on my 73 the shoes and pads are larger than stock.

yepper on the 76 down they are bigger going by just looking the 78 look smaller its a guess

[Kaos Photo]

Cool! I'll pull one to be sure, but I figured they were stock! Thanx for the info!

[Riff Raff]

Here is a couple of tricks for using at the parts store, may work may not.

1> Auto Zone has a listing for a Comm. Chassis, so I always make sure they use that when selecting my parts.

2> On the 77-85? the comm. chassis cars had a 368 motor that was used only in a comm. chassis car. So even if yours didn't come with a 368, if they can't find what you need, have them start the search over and use the 368 as the motor size. That should bring up a comm. chassis if they hae such a thing.

3> Just because the downsized coaches are smaller, don't assume the parts are the same thing as a regular Caddie. Yes they maybe stock Caddie parts, but there are different sizes.