My dad recently got new wheels and tires for his '67 Camaro, but they didn't clear the wheel well so we bought some air shocks to put on. Before putting them on, I inflated one of them to see how it works -- but now I can't deflate it! I took it to a few auto shops and they said that it is defective, something about a "bag" not being there inside the shock. I tried pushing in on the valve on the shock but it doesn't look like it's that kind of valve. I believe they are Gabriel air shocks.

Also, I read about air shocks putting too much pressure on the mounting points. Will this really be an issue on a first-generation F-body?

 

The shock should deflate with a small amount of pressure, if not then its defective. The mounting points on a 1st gen are stronger then a 3rd gen but I would run down to a hardware store and get a few large thick washers (used in swing set assembly) to add some strength and transfer load from the center of the mounting point.

 

Blue 86,

I had a '67 'F' car (Firebird SC) up until about 1985. I wouldn't advise using air shocks on the car, since the rear upper shock mounting points and trunk floor are a weak point on the car, and are susceptable to failure. The more correct method (stronger and probably cheaper) would be to install leaf spring shackle extensions.

You might end up with the upper ends of the shocks sticking into the trunk with air shocks, even if you distribute the load with large washers or plates. Spring shackles can be purchased for about $30 per pair, and can usually be adjusted to several lift ranges.

 

Vader, the car actually has leaf-spring shackles. When my dad used to drag race the car he had custom ones made. Since we got new (taller) tires, he got the shackles remade to a slightly different size--but they aren't on the car yet. The shocks that are on the car now are quite old, they're made by Gabriel and are "adjustable computer tuned" shocks... you turn it till it clicks to select the amount of stiffness you want. Do you think that I should just disregard the air shock idea and put the new shackles on, along with those old Gabriel "adjustable" shocks?