1961-63 Buick special skylark rear shocks

Gabriel's catalog lists rear shocks on 61-63 buick special/skylark to be part# 81495, it has the upper mounting S1 and lower mount EB1. This is absolutely incorrect for the upper mount and the extended length of ~20 in. This mistake has been for more than 20 years and many of us have forced or installed in the wrong parts. The correct rear suspension shock mounting for 63 Skylark/Special is ES9(.44" hole) or ES10(.44" hole) for the upper and lower is EB1(5/8") with an extended length of ~24.5 in.

The mounting bolt hole on the chassis takes 7/16" (.4375") bolt. Preferably a steel cylindrical hollow spacer between the shock and bolt with 5/8" OD, and 7/16" ID will allow a shock with an upper EB1/E1 mount to work. Using the wrong shock mount causes you to collapse the bracket on the chassis, difficult to remove and reinstall shocks for service, and tech support claims it rips out the shock with too short of extended length.

The addition of a spacer on the upper mount opens the door to many other options for rear shocks. Gabriel uses EB1 and E1 for KYB shocks upper mount designation. Gabriel has the 404703 EB1 mounting kit you can buy.

For a 63 Skylark/Special on the rear suspension shock we want upper and lower EB1/E1 mounts with extended shock length of 24.5in. With the addition of the sleeve at the top. Here are the options to consider:

Gabriel G63419 , extended length 24.08 in. additionally, you need to add the sleeve 1 11/32" L x ID 7/16" x OD 5/8" sleeve on E1 upper mount. Made In Mexico
Gabriel 61582 , extended shock length 24.98 in. additionally, you need to add the sleeve 1 11/32" L x ID 7/16" x OD 5/8" sleeve on E1 upper mount.

Rare Parts 51307 extended shock length 23.375 in.
Rare Parts 51380 extended shock length 23.375 in.


KYB 344090 Made In Japan. 22.95" extended length. Excel G.
KYB KG 5466 Made In Japan. 22.9" extended length. Gas a just.

Monroe 31094 Requires 1 11/32" L x ID 7/16" x Outer 5/8" sleeve on E1 upper mount. Made In China

1963 Buick Skylark the extended length is ~24.5 in. from mount center to center with shock removed and vehicle jacked up hanging loosely right before you can move the spring.
The extended length with vehicle on the ground no shock installed is ~20 in.
The sleeve is also called Shock absorber eyelet bushing reducer.
Some of the terminology will be found in the Gabriel catalog.
The spacer you fabricate, have a machinist make you one or someone with a lathe or can be easily sourced.

In summary the Gabriel and KYB are both good choices. I'm sure we can find more choices by looking for shocks on each of these vehicles.

 

[GL03]

I went with Gabriel G63419 installed them in the rear of 63 buick skylark, I believe this may work for 61 and 62 skylarks and specials. These shocks have 5/8" rubber mounts top and bottom. I installed a metal sleeve I fabricated, but you can get something already made and cut to size. Here are pics of install. I used 7/16" fine thread on top with locking nut to match the bottom. My length on spacer was 1.35" (1 11/32"), but you can go up to less than 1.437"(1 7/16"). I resized the width of the upper mount but found that it may of not needed it. I included an image of standard shock that I had on there before and the new ones for comparison.

 

[GL03]

Update on the 1963 Buick Skylark fitted in the rear, Gabriel shocks G63419 with bushing reducers: There is no rubbing, or any defect I found. Quiet operation and satisfied with ride. Keep in mind these are firmer than standard. I put stability at highway speeds over comfort at slow speeds.