Surplus Center has coil-over shocks that are a close fit for the
Amphicar front end - with two possible exceptions.

While the extended length and travel are very close to Amphicar
original, these units may be a bit weak. Spring rate is listed at 110
lbs/inch. I think the Maeco PK22K1 units they once sold (and I'm
still using with good success) were rated a bit stronger, perhaps
around 150 or 180 but I can't remember. Also the 3/8" bushings are
too small and would require 7/16" bushings pressed in (and then
drilled out a few thousandths to 12mm).

https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2009091814301038&catname=&qty=1&item= 28-1721

Anyway, the price is dirt cheap if anyone wants to experiment and
report back.

Best,
Ken Chambers


        

Ken,

Based on the information posted as to the spring rates etc earlier this spring I made a set of mounts that fit onto these shocks and have ran them the later part of this summer. I bought a set of 180lb springs from summit racing and turned up a custom set of collars that slip onto the shock. The car handles like a dream and the modification is in my opinion completely safe. If someone has access to CNC equipment a bunch of these could easily be made. Due to liability reasons and the sue happy world we live in I'm hesitant to share what I've learned but feel its a big cost saver for those who are a budget builder like myself, and has to cut costs somewhere. I've got a cad drawings of them if someone wants to have some made. I know there will be the critics out there and I'm not telling anyone its the right thing or wrong thing to do but its worked for me and am extremly happy with the ride and would not do it if I did not feel the modification was 100% safe for me and my passengers. I was able to build the set for under $100. (This doens't take into account my time and access to the equipment to build) If someone know of the rear spring rates and a shock with the right lengths I'd be happy to try and make something work with them as well this winter. I've got several pictures I'd be glad to share. I've got a bunch of things I came up with that I came up with that I'd like to think others would possibly be interested in now that I'm done with my restoration. I just need the time to sit down and compile the information. Such as the rear brake brackets, heater fan for the round style heater using a attwood fan and my custom bracket. Take a look at the attached pictures. I've not had much luck with attachments so I hope they show.


        

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Hi,

The spring modification you made looks darn good. One possibility for
having a small run of parts made would be to use something like EMachineShop
http://www.emachineshop.com/. I haven't personally used them but I know of
people who have that have been satisfied.

I for one would love to have a copy of your cad drawings to see if I could
get a set made.

Great work!

Brad
1963 Amphicar

On Sun, Sep 20, 2009 at 10:27 PM, SNKR770 <>wrote:





        

Nice work. I might need a pair of rear axles extended. What do You think ? Are you selling the brake cable adapter? Later Dave the Wave


        

I need to replace my front shocks so I could go that route. I could make up those parts for my self and anyone who is interested, what shocks are you using, the Surpluscenter ?

Tony In NH





        

Tortak/Brad,

Yes, these are built using the Maeco Shocks from the Surplus Center.

The springs are from Summit Racing. I'll gather all the specific info, links and model numbers and post into a thread for future reference.

I have not looked into it but think you could do the same thing if you wanted to use the original springs with these shocks. I'll post the native Solidworks file. If someone wants to mess with it they can.

BTW I talked with an engineer at Monroe. These are Monroe shocks. I was told Maeco is a acronoym for Monroe Automotive E(dont remember)? Company.

As for the CAD file I'd like to just post it somewhere so that people that want it can just grab it and do with it what they wish. Is there a spot for this kind of thing somewhere? Give me a few days and I'll try to compile everything into a single thread so that its locked into the archives for those who wish to use the information in the future. I've certianly relied on the information from this site over the past three years of my restoration and am more than willing to give back what I've learned along the way as well.

As for the Brake bracket. There again I have a cad file that if someone wants to have them made I'd be happy to send it to them or better yet post them somewhere.

As for the heater housing. I used the large attwood bildge blower and made a custom housing. I have a cad file for that as well. It was built using a rapid prototyping process know as SLS but could also be done on a FDM. If there were enough people interested I might be able to have some made from some old resin at a reasonable price provided there was enough intrest. You don't really need the housing to make it work but it helps to keep the fan mounted square in the tube.


Later,
Ryan


        

Tony, I will take a set if you are making them. I need another alternator bracket too. Thanks, Jack in Mass.


        

Ryan,

I like what you did on both the shock spring mounts as well as the
brake cable angle bracket.

WRT the shocks it would be nice to make spring mounts for a more
easily obtainable shock, rather than that Maeco unit. While they are
certainly cheap enough through Surplus Center, they don't always have
them, in fact rarely have them. I also spoke with someone at Monroe a
while back in an attempt to locate a reliable source but hit a dead
end. What's needed is an inexpensive over the counter shock that can
accept spring mounts such as what you did on yours. The key is the
shock body requires the shoulder as on the Maeco units.

I downloaded from the Monroe site their Mounting & Length
Specifications document in an attempt to find some that would work.
Nothing a perfect candidate but there are some close possibilities if
new bushings are pressed in. But the required shoulder may not be
there. Also good to have no dust shield, but that could be removed.

If anyone wants to search other manufacturers here are the basic specs
for the Amphicar shocks:

Front: 13" extended length, 9.75 compressed, 12mm bolts
Rear: 15" extended length, 11.75 compressed, 14mm bolts

Nice selection of springs available from Summit Racing. Wide range of
spring rates, lengths and good prices.

Ken Chambers, CA
'64 Red


On Sep 20, 2009, at 7:27 PM, SNKR770 wrote:





        

Those look incredible. I sent an email to Summit Racing to see if they have a way to search by shock travel length and bushing size.

Would it make sense to put together a form letter with the shock specs and send it to as many shock manufacturers as we can think of to see if anybody makes a perfect fit?


        

Gord had some shocks listed on his websight that I used for the back of my car, that have been working good for me. I think he also had front shocks listed but he must be changing his websight because I can't get to them right now.

Jack contact me off list At tony@ortakales.com for the brackets.
Also We talked about getting together in October for a swimin up here in NH maybe Columbus day or the Sunday before ? I'm sure Mike l., Ron T. and Steve S. will come.

Tony In NH