Amphi Shocks -

[SNKR770]

In reading archived articles on shocks I seem to be confused as to if people that used the Maeco shocks where happy with them. They seem like they would be a good short term fix until I can afford the aldans. I am also aware of the Gord Souters Snowmobile shock but would like to find some affordable oil filled shocks that I can eaither bolt in or easily modify.

So the question is has anyone found a shock that's close to the originals that will work with a minor modification.

Also, for those who tried the Maeco shocks are you still happy with them and using them?

Ryan 64
Hudson WI

 

[Ken Chambers]

I've been running the Maeco PK22K1 shock/spring combo on the front
for some 6 or 7 years and have a few thousand miles on them. They
work fine. I think I was the guy who found them in the Surplus Center
catalog (Lincoln, NE) and recommended them to others. They sold out
fairly quickly and they have never received any more, AFAIK. If you
can locate more, please let us know.

---Ken Chambers


On Jul 30, 2009, at 4:23 PM, SNKR770 wrote:

> In reading archived articles on shocks I seem to be confused as to
> if people that used the Maeco shocks where happy with them. They
> seem like they would be a good short term fix until I can afford the
> aldans. I am also aware of the Gord Souters Snowmobile shock but
> would like to find some affordable oil filled shocks that I can
> eaither bolt in or easily modify.
>
> So the question is has anyone found a shock that's close to the
> originals that will work with a minor modification.
>
> Also, for those who tried the Maeco shocks are you still happy with
> them and using them?
>
> Ryan 64
> Hudson WI

 

[Tedredamphi]

This place advertises to have 64 of the Maeco PK22K1 shocks available for $8.99 apiece. Just "click on this link".
Ted
Burden Sales Surplus Center Item Detail

 

[LSolheim]

I also have been using the Maeco shocks for many years and 10,000s of miles.
Amphi is a late model car w/ bayonet-end mounts through the wheel wells, so
I designed and built an adapter bracket for them. Recently I saw more, this
time w/o the spring ($8 or $9) and purchased a couple, but I have not
transferred the springs from the earlier shocks to these new ones, yet.

--LarryS



From: Ken Chambers [mailto:]
Sent: Thursday, July 30, 2009 6:30 PM
To: lrsnpark@gmail.com
Subject: RE: [General Amphicar Discussion-t-20515] Amphi Shocks -



I've been running the Maeco PK22K1 shock/spring combo on the front
for some 6 or 7 years and have a few thousand miles on them. They
work fine. I think I was the guy who found them in the Surplus Center
catalog (Lincoln, NE) and recommended them to others. They sold out
fairly quickly and they have never received any more, AFAIK. If you
can locate more, please let us know.

---Ken Chambers


On Jul 30, 2009, at 4:23 PM, SNKR770 wrote:



Quote:

> In reading archived articles on shocks I seem to be confused as to
> if people that used the Maeco shocks where happy with them. They
> seem like they would be a good short term fix until I can afford the
> aldans. I am also aware of the Gord Souters Snowmobile shock but
> would like to find some affordable oil filled shocks that I can
> eaither bolt in or easily modify.
>
> So the question is has anyone found a shock that's close to the
> originals that will work with a minor modification.
>
> Also, for those who tried the Maeco shocks are you still happy with
> them and using them?
>
> Ryan 64
> Hudson WI

 

[SNKR770]

Sweet! I'll get these for the fronts.

While my rears are ok I'd like to figure something out for them as well. Any suggestions for the rear shocks? Might go cart springs work. Doing some searching they may fit. I'm not into cobbing stuff together but have a hard time beilieving there isn't a shock for something out there that will fit do what its intended to do at a reasonable price with a a minor modification. Anyone ever look into the coil overs for one of the larger cruizer street bikes?


The same place has them on ebay for $13.
SHOCK ABSORBER MAECO model PK22K1 Item# 28-1343 - eBay (item 380007096211 end time Aug-07-09 14:39:52 PDT)

 

[PeterP]

Does anyone know the specs for the original shocks? Spring rates, etc? I think the ones on mine are OEM, so I might try and make up some CAD drawings and send them around to the various suppliers for quotes.

I know custom shocks can be made, but I shudder to think of the cost.

 

[Ed Price]

_____

From: PeterP [mailto:]
Sent: Thursday, July 30, 2009 9:43 PM
To: edprice@cox.net
Subject: RE: [General Amphicar Discussion-t-20515] Re: Amphi Shocks -


Does anyone know the specs for the original shocks? Spring rates, etc? I
think the ones on mine are OEM, so I might try and make up some CAD drawings
and send them around to the various suppliers for quotes.

I know custom shocks can be made, but I shudder to think of the cost.



I measured the spring rates on my front units and produced a monograph on
them. I'll be happy to share, but I don't know who "PeterP" is, or what your
email address is. (Email me directly at edprice at cox dot net)

I really wish everyone here would adopt descriptive sig files.

I think the Maeco shocks are OK for the front end, which is lightly loaded.
However, for the rear, I bought a pair of Hugh Gordon's adjustable Alden (?)
shocks (which come assembled to a coil spring). The hassle of removing the
spring from the old shock, compressing and fitting it to the new shock is a
formidable task unless you know what you're doing. I think the cost isn't so
bad, especially when you factor in crushed fingers and cuts.

Ed Price
El Cajon, CA USA
WB6WSN
61 Rust Guppy
1987 MB 420SEL

 

[Ken Chambers]

I remember when I found those PK22K1 shocks those specs for the
extended and retracted lengths were very close to the original shocks
I measured. The 7/16 bushings need to be drilled out slightly for
12mm bolts. The car sits just right so the spring rate must be
correct. Too bad those at Burden Sales don't include the springs.

Ken Chambers

>
> Does anyone know the specs for the original shocks? Spring rates,
> etc? I
> think the ones on mine are OEM, so I might try and make up some CAD
> drawings
> and send them around to the various suppliers for quotes.

 

[Propcar50]

Larry,

Is transferring springs difficult? Any special tools?



thanks,

Randy

Maryland

Blue '67




----- Original Message -----
From: "LSolheim" <>
To: rdboggie@comcast.net
Sent: Thursday, July 30, 2009 10:44:08 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: RE: [General Amphicar Discussion-t-20515] Amphi Shocks -


I also have been using the Maeco shocks for many years and 10,000s of miles.
Amphi is a late model car w/ bayonet-end mounts through the wheel wells, so
I designed and built an adapter bracket for them. Recently I saw more, this
time w/o the spring ($8 or $9) and purchased a couple, but I have not
transferred the springs from the earlier shocks to these new ones, yet.

--LarryS



From: Ken Chambers [mailto:]
Sent: Thursday, July 30, 2009 6:30 PM
To: lrsnpark@gmail.com
Subject: RE: [General Amphicar Discussion-t-20515] Amphi Shocks -



I've been running the Maeco PK22K1 shock/spring combo on the front
for some 6 or 7 years and have a few thousand miles on them. They
work fine. I think I was the guy who found them in the Surplus Center
catalog (Lincoln, NE) and recommended them to others. They sold out
fairly quickly and they have never received any more, AFAIK. If you
can locate more, please let us know.

---Ken Chambers


On Jul 30, 2009, at 4:23 PM, SNKR770 wrote:



Quote:





Quote: > In reading archived articles on shocks I seem to be confused as to

> if people that used the Maeco shocks where happy with them. They
> seem like they would be a good short term fix until I can afford the
> aldans. I am also aware of the Gord Souters Snowmobile shock but
> would like to find some affordable oil filled shocks that I can
> eaither bolt in or easily modify.
>
> So the question is has anyone found a shock that's close to the
> originals that will work with a minor modification.
>
> Also, for those who tried the Maeco shocks are you still happy with
> them and using them?
>
> Ryan 64
> Hudson WI

 

[LSolheim]

The springs I am referring to are Maeco springs from the first series of
Maeco shocks Surplus Center sold. I have not investigated to see if stock
Amphicar shocks will not work on these units -- I would suspect they would
not. The Maeco springs are relatively easy to compress and simply held by
a slip-in key. --Larry



From: Propcar50 [mailto:]
Sent: Friday, July 31, 2009 9:00 AM
To: lrsnpark@gmail.com
Subject: RE: [General Amphicar Discussion-t-20515] Amphi Shocks -



Larry,

Is transferring springs difficult? Any special tools?



thanks,

Randy

Maryland

Blue '67




----- Original Message -----
From: "LSolheim" <>
To: rdboggie@comcast.net
Sent: Thursday, July 30, 2009 10:44:08 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: RE: [General Amphicar Discussion-t-20515] Amphi Shocks -


I also have been using the Maeco shocks for many years and 10,000s of miles.

Amphi is a late model car w/ bayonet-end mounts through the wheel wells, so
I designed and built an adapter bracket for them. Recently I saw more, this
time w/o the spring ($8 or $9) and purchased a couple, but I have not
transferred the springs from the earlier shocks to these new ones, yet.

--LarryS



From: Ken Chambers [mailto:]
Sent: Thursday, July 30, 2009 6:30 PM
To: lrsnpark@gmail.com
Subject: RE: [General Amphicar Discussion-t-20515] Amphi Shocks -



I've been running the Maeco PK22K1 shock/spring combo on the front
for some 6 or 7 years and have a few thousand miles on them. They
work fine. I think I was the guy who found them in the Surplus Center
catalog (Lincoln, NE) and recommended them to others. They sold out
fairly quickly and they have never received any more, AFAIK. If you
can locate more, please let us know.

---Ken Chambers


On Jul 30, 2009, at 4:23 PM, SNKR770 wrote:



Quote:





Quote: > In reading archived articles on shocks I seem to be confused as to

Quote:

> if people that used the Maeco shocks where happy with them. They
> seem like they would be a good short term fix until I can afford the
> aldans. I am also aware of the Gord Souters Snowmobile shock but
> would like to find some affordable oil filled shocks that I can
> eaither bolt in or easily modify.
>
> So the question is has anyone found a shock that's close to the
> originals that will work with a minor modification.
>
> Also, for those who tried the Maeco shocks are you still happy with
> them and using them?
>
> Ryan 64
> Hudson WI

 

[Tedredamphi]

:dft012:I found this data in the archives from 2003, so I hope Ed doesn't mind me re-posting it. These are his research numbers comparing Amphicar shocks and springs to the Maeco. They look pretty similar to me!!
Ted
www.amphicar770.com/.../16316-front-suspension-spring-rate.html

11-05-2003, 04:24 AM
Ed Price
Posts: n/a


Front Suspension Spring Rate

I finally got around to measuring the spring rate for my Amphi front coil
springs. I also measured the rate for a new Maeco PK22K1 coil-over shock
(available from Surplus Center at $20 each). Here's the results:

For 1 inch of compression:
Original Amphi Front Spring #1: 172 pounds
Original Amphi Front Spring #2: 145 pounds
Maeco PK22K1 Shock & Spring: 180 pounds

For 2 inches of compression:
Original Amphi Front Spring #1: 350 pounds
Original Amphi Front Spring #2: 304 pounds
Maeco PK22K1 Shock & Spring: 310 pounds

Averaged out, the spring rates for each are:
Original Amphi Front Spring #1: 175 pounds per inch
Original Amphi Front Spring #2: 152 pounds per inch
Maeco PK22K1 Shock & Spring: 155 pounds per inch

I conclude that one of my front springs is a bit weaker than the other. I also
see that the Maeco is very similar to the original Amphi springs. So, I'm going
to follow Ken Chambers advice and use the pair of new Maecos on the front of my
Amphi.

BTW, the Amphi shocks have an extended length of 13" and a stroke of 3.5". The
Maeco shock has an extended length of 13.25", and a stroke of 3.5". This is so
close as to be identical.

Rear spring data maybe next month.

Ed
El Cajon
67 Rust Guppy

 

[Ed Price]

Ted:

You found that faster than I found it on my machine! <g> I don't mind anyone
quoting one of my old posts. BTW, for anyone who is zealously interested in
measuring spring rates, I have a set of photos showing the technique using a
strain gauge and a hydraulic press. Just email me for it at edprice at cox
dot net .

Ed Price
El Cajon, CA USA
WB6WSN
61 Rust Guppy
1987 MB 420SEL






_____

From: Tedredamphi [mailto:]
Sent: Friday, July 31, 2009 12:41 PM
To: edprice@cox.net
Subject: RE: [General Amphicar Discussion-t-20515] Re: Amphi Shocks -


<http://www.amphicar770.com/amphicarforum/images/smilies/dft012.gif> I
found this data in the archives from 2003, so I hope Ed doesn't mind me
re-posting it. These are his research numbers comparing Amphicar shocks and
springs to the Maeco. They look pretty similar to me!!
Ted
www.amphicar770.com/.../16316-front-suspension-spring-rate.html

<http://www.amphicar770.com/amphicarforum/images/techtwo/statusicon/post_old
.gif> 11-05-2003, 04:24 AM
Ed Price
Posts: n/a


Front Suspension Spring Rate

I finally got around to measuring the spring rate for my Amphi front coil
springs. I also measured the rate for a new Maeco PK22K1 coil-over shock
(available from Surplus Center at $20 each). Here's the results:

For 1 inch of compression:
Original Amphi Front Spring #1: 172 pounds
Original Amphi Front Spring #2: 145 pounds
Maeco PK22K1 Shock & Spring: 180 pounds

For 2 inches of compression:
Original Amphi Front Spring #1: 350 pounds
Original Amphi Front Spring #2: 304 pounds
Maeco PK22K1 Shock & Spring: 310 pounds

Averaged out, the spring rates for each are:
Original Amphi Front Spring #1: 175 pounds per inch
Original Amphi Front Spring #2: 152 pounds per inch
Maeco PK22K1 Shock & Spring: 155 pounds per inch

I conclude that one of my front springs is a bit weaker than the other. I
also
see that the Maeco is very similar to the original Amphi springs. So, I'm
going
to follow Ken Chambers advice and use the pair of new Maecos on the front of
my
Amphi.

BTW, the Amphi shocks have an extended length of 13" and a stroke of 3.5".
The
Maeco shock has an extended length of 13.25", and a stroke of 3.5". This is
so
close as to be identical.

Rear spring data maybe next month.

Ed
El Cajon
67 Rust Guppy

 

[canitfloat]

This thread seems to be missing a few pages.....does anyone know what the new springs were that someone had tried and worked well with the new Maeco shocks from surplus center? Thanks!