Albtrossca Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 I have a 34 Dictator A, Canadian Built. The car has not been in one piece for 50 years. I have a number of shocks but not sure which ones were on the car or bought over the years while my father and I were scouring the rows of Hershey and Carlisle. I am trying to make this car as correct as possible so my question is which shocks are used, where and how do they mount for the front and rear. My parts book is very vague. It shows that yes, the car had them but not available. The front doesn't list a part number but the rear does. There are part numbers listed for links, intake valves eye bolts etc. Educate me. Pictures would be great. I appreciate any info and discussion this will create. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris piazza Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 If '34 is the same as '35 I can help with photos and some advice. Probably even have some extra parts in my shop. But, like I said, it's all '35. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albtrossca Posted January 17, 2021 Author Share Posted January 17, 2021 I have no doubt it would be the same as the 35 Dictator. The parts manual doesnt say that. I am just now in the shop and all mine are Delco Remy which by the manual makes sense because the 35 Canadian built ones were Delco. Some pictures on location and proper orientation would be great. Before I start the rebuild on them I'd like to know which ones I am going to use. I have 6. Here are a few pictures. 2nd picture is where I am at. Piecing it together a little at a time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris piazza Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 Looking at your photos, there is quite a bit of difference between the two years. Might have something to do with the difference between Dictator and Commander as well. Don't think what I have left over is of any help. Sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlightcoupe Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 (edited) According to the factory Catalog of Chassis Parts the shocks are the same Delco-Lovejoys that are on the U.S. assembled '32 Rockne 65 and '33 Rockne 10 (models 30 and 31 in the catalog). I will post pictures of how they are mounted on my '33, which has never had them removed. In the meantime, here are the pages with the part numbers. Edited January 17, 2021 by starlightcoupe (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albtrossca Posted January 17, 2021 Author Share Posted January 17, 2021 Sweet. That helps. My factory parts manual is a 34-46. It doesn't list these numbers. Pictures of how yours mounts would be great. Mine is a Canadian one which if you notice for the rear at least, has a different number although I am certain they are essentially the same. Another interesting note is if you notice the manual says under Note 4 that the 35 Dictator does not use front shocks. Unless I'm misunderstanding what it is saying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlightcoupe Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 22 minutes ago, Albtrossca said: ... the manual says under Note 4 that the 35 Dictator does not use front shocks. Unless I'm misunderstanding what it is saying. But the '35 is a Model 1A, not the '34 Model A that you have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlightcoupe Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 Understand these photos are of a Rockne Model 10 (31), but the same part numbers in the catalog for the '34 Dictator Model A. Front shocks are mounted outside the frame with 7" lever arms pointing forward, and rear shocks are mounted inside the frame with 10" lever arms pointing to the rear. First two images are right front. Note the curve in the 7" arms. Second two images are left rear. The 10" arms are straight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albtrossca Posted January 18, 2021 Author Share Posted January 18, 2021 2 hours ago, starlightcoupe said: But the '35 is a Model 1A, not the '34 Model A that you have. Sorry, I was confusing. I knew mine was a model A. I was pointing out that the 35 dictator doesn't have any on the front yet the 34 does. I was looking at it from a point of logic in why the 35 doesn't have one and the 34 does? They aren't that different. To explain my point of view, I have to assemble my car like a jigsaw puzzle. I open a box full of pieces and only a picture and some parts manuals to go by. Therefore I approach everything with a question of why, how and logic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albtrossca Posted January 18, 2021 Author Share Posted January 18, 2021 2 hours ago, starlightcoupe said: Understand these photos are of a Rockne Model 10 (31), but the same part numbers in the catalog for the '34 Dictator Model A. Front shocks are mounted outside the frame with 7" lever arms pointing forward, and rear shocks are mounted inside the frame with 10" lever arms pointing to the rear. First two images are right front. Note the curve in the 7" arms. Second two images are left rear. The 10" arms are straight. That is excellent! That should really help me make sense of where everything goes and what I need. All the rubber grommets are a burnt, cracked or dried out. Can I bother you for one more thing. I am missing the bottom plate to mount the rear axle, U-bolts and shock link. It appears to be a simple plate of steal with the holes drilled in the correct spots. If you could measure length width and thickness I can figure the hole positions. I should be able to manufacture one myself. I really appreciate all your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlightcoupe Posted January 18, 2021 Share Posted January 18, 2021 Riddled with arthritis and not as skinny as I used to be; will have to jack up the car to get those dimensions. 😆 Don't expect that within 24 hours! 😉 In the meantime, maybe someone with an actual '34 Dictator instead of a '33 Rockne might feel induced to help. I WILL get back to you. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albtrossca Posted January 18, 2021 Author Share Posted January 18, 2021 It's all good. Take your time. 😉 I havent talked to anyone on the site with a 34 dictator. I have the name of a fella to contact here in Ontario that has one. With Covid and slow progress on the car I haven't wanted to bother him with a call. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbk Posted January 18, 2021 Share Posted January 18, 2021 Starlightcoupe Thanks for the pictures. Documenting the shock absorbers mounting and links will help others in the future. I am always amazed by the help and cooperation you give. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albtrossca Posted January 18, 2021 Author Share Posted January 18, 2021 How they fit has been confirmed. 😁 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlightcoupe Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 13 hours ago, rbk said: Starlightcoupe Thanks for the pictures. Documenting the shock absorbers mounting and links will help others in the future. I am always amazed by the help and cooperation you give. Kind words, Bob. Thank YOU! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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