Has anyone ever attempted to make new cocktail shakers? I am not talking about in the aftermarket but someone making a set of 4 for their own use that would fit and function like the originals. I have a 69 vert and I am missing all 4. The $800 plus price tag for a set of 4 is a bit spendy. I have searched for industrial type dampers with no luck. I think these could be made for a fraction of that if all the details were known. They weigh approx 25lbs and have a steel cylinder case, a 17lb cast iron ballast, 2 springs of unknow weight and rate topped off with trans fluid. The brackets are metal tabs that could be made from sheet stock. I saw a cutaway of one a few years back online but it did not give info on the springs. I think the spring rate and weight would need to be correct for the ballast and the harmonics of the vibrations. Could steel shot be used like in exhaust dampers? I know these would not be for the purist but for the rest they might be an alternative.

Any ideas??
Thanks!
Ted

Found the info and thought it may help because of the numbers. I don't know how close the Corvair shakers are in style to the Camaro but heck, I just read they can't give them away :(

Kev



Camaro Cocktail shaker Part Numbers

Years Location Part Number
67-68 Front Left 3909919
67-68 Front Right 3909920
67-68 Rear Left 3909927
67-68 Rear Right 3909928
69 Front Left 3950101
69 Front Right 3950102
69 Rear Left 3950109
69 Rear Right 3950110


Pontiac part numbers to compare with the Camaro numbers above

67 RH Frt 9789448 Dampener and bracket
67 LH Frt 9789449 Dampener and bracket
67 RH Rr 3909928 Dampener and bracket
67 LH Rr 3909927 Dampener and bracket

68 RH Frt 9792469 Dampener and bracket
68 LH Frt 9792470 Dampener and bracket
68 RH Rr 9792319 Dampener and bracket
68 LH Rr 9792320 Dampener and bracket

69 RH Frt 9797614 Dampener and bracket
69 LH Frt 9797615 Dampener and bracket
69 RH Rr 9796673 Dampener and bracket
69 LH Rr 3962787 Dampener and bracket

Now there's an idea! Does anyone know if the Corvair cans are the same size as the F-body?

Thanks,

Ted

Corvairs do NOT interchange.

Ed

So the Corvair canisters are a different weight and size excluding the mounting mechanisms? I'm curious if the canisters are the same not the brackets.

Thanks,

Ted

Yes, different weight, sizes and properties since the Corvair is a rear engine car.

Ed

Have you gone to a bone yard to see if they have any? Seems to me you can find a set of used easier then trying to Frankenstein a set, or from adapting other GM shakers to fit a Camaro. Just my humble opinion.

Is there a significant issue in running without the shakers?

Is there a significant issue in running without the shakers?

A lot of body shake when you go over bumps, ruts, RR tracks, etc... but nothing that will hurt the car. At least in the short term. Not sure about damage in the long run.

Ed

JMO, but why would you want to do this, when you could easily add the frame connectors and solid body mounts (if you were not trying to keep it "as born"), or purchase some used ones from fellow TC members ? I've had a set of rears posted at the classifieds since Feb., with no pricing, and have never been contacted about them. I understand the fronts will be the most expensive, and hardest to locate, but they are out there.

How about a length of pipe with screw on end caps. You could screw an end on (sealed with teflon tape), load the open cylinder with a spring, a piece of bar stock cut to the right length (what ever that right length is) then another spring on top. Fill the thing up with tranny fluid, and screw the top cap on tight, again using teflon tape to seal.

Oh yea, weld the brackets on first. It's crude but I bet it would work.

One other option would be to purchase two sets of rears, and fabricate the brackets for the front mounts, which should be less $$$$$.

If you are good with metal fabbing it shouldn't be too hard to convert a set of 68s to fit. I have a front set of 68s I don't need, but there are plenty to find other places too. For some reason 69's are much harder to find.

If you don't care about originality, go out and buy a good set of subframe connectors. That will eliminate most, if not all, the body flex and shake.

Ed

Has anyone ever attempted to make new cocktail shakers? I am not talking about in the aftermarket but someone making a set of 4 for their own use that would fit and function like the originals. I have a 69 vert and I am missing all 4. The $800 plus price tag for a set of 4 is a bit spendy. I have searched for industrial type dampers with no luck. I think these could be made for a fraction of that if all the details were known. They weigh approx 25lbs and have a steel cylinder case, a 17lb cast iron ballast, 2 springs of unknow weight and rate topped off with trans fluid. The brackets are metal tabs that could be made from sheet stock. I saw a cutaway of one a few years back online but it did not give info on the springs. I think the spring rate and weight would need to be correct for the ballast and the harmonics of the vibrations. Could steel shot be used like in exhaust dampers? I know these would not be for the purist but for the rest they might be an alternative.

Any ideas??
Thanks!
Ted


$800 is a little steep you should be able to find them for about half that price.

Here are some rears for $250 (Link Below)

They may be firebird i can't tell without further research i know the fronts are harder to find.especially the right side.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1969-Camaro-Firebird-Convertible-Rear-Cocktail-Shakers-Cocktail-Shaker-/120767660231?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessorie s&hash=item1c1e5040c7

If you don't care about originality, go out and buy a good set of subframe connectors. That will eliminate most, if not all, the body flex and shake.

Ed

I have Hotchkis frame connectors, and removed all 4 shakers last winter as kind of an experiment since I had them out to do some work. I don't notice any difference at all.

Sure you could build your own or modify Corvair shakers to fit. You could put a Hemi on a rollerskate if so inclined.

I have noticed that the rear shakers seem to be more plentiful as well as cheaper than the fronts. The cans themselves are the same size front and rear, so if you're going to be fabricating brackets, the idea posted of buying 4 rears and modify a pair of them to fit in the front sounds feasible.

Thanks for the replies and ideas. I know many people say they are not needed when subframe connectors are used but it is not just rigidity I am worried about. (FYI I plan on getting a set of BMR connectors.) I am concerned about harmonic vibration undoing all of my work. There must have been something to this because GM was competing for price position with the other 3 manufactures. Subframe connectors are bar stock that is bent and drilled. Not a very complicated process that could have been mass produced for cheap. The same part numbers and designs could have been user for all 3 years essentially 6 models over 2 divisions. The shakers were mostly specific to division and year. A canister with tabs, springs, weights and ATF fluid had to have cost more. 4 part numbers per car times 6 models vrs 2 part numbers total. It could have been over zealous engineers but they were already making vert specific chassis changes. I.e.: rockers, floors, K brace, X brace and frame rails. I could be wrong, as I have been many times in the past, but I don't think GM would have went to the expense if it was not necessary.

Now the bigger questions is am I willing to go through the expense to source a set of 4. My effort is cheap but shakers cost real money.

Thanks again!

Ted

Ted, keep an eye out on ebay, a pair usually goes for 300.00. I did see a pair a few months back go for 50.00 on ebay. (should of bought them) keep a lookout!! I was at the spring run at daytona last march and a guy had all four for 600.00 and wouldn't budge on the price... so yes they are pricey.....

I've run my 69 both ways and there is no differance in handling or ride with them installed or not. Jay

I will keep my eye's open for a set but I might try and experiment with the pipe and springs, possibly steel shot or a stockbridge style damper. I just hope I don't get pulled over and the bomb squad doesn't get called.

Thanks,

Ted

Ted,
I have quite a few sets of shakers and will see if any of the extra sets I have are for 69 Camaros. If I do have them, I can do better than the $800 price tag.
Tony

Just did a check from my sources... and the best I can can come up with is $500 for all four...the times and the prices, they are a changing...and not for the better.

capt

500 for a set is good. Could you get two for the front (67) for 250?? I would be interested!

500 for a set is good. Could you get two for the front (67) for 250?? I would be interested!
Seems like the fronts are more in demand that the rears...guys just didn't want to wrestle them in place (sure had fun with mine!), and tossed them?

I would say that $350 would get them from a reliable source, eh?

PM me with details if interested.

capt

Tried to PM. Says you aren't receiving PM's??

Sorry about that m8. Must have pulled the wrong plug, eh?:o

Talked with Bob over @ Camaro Specialties the other day...give him a call, and maybe you two can broker a deal. Tell him you talked with Ted from TC.

capt

I have a very nice set of shakers for the front of a 67/68 if that's what you are looking for. PM me or send an email.

I am in need of a pair of fronts for our 67. They seem to be hard to find in our area. Will send a PM or two to see where that leads.