put new vibratech damper on. drained the old stock one.

The (oil) is supposed to be thick when it gets like a soft rubbery substance then it is toast.

 

Someone needs to cut open a new one so we can compare. HAHA

 

Ya want to buy it? I would be happy to cut it up! LOL

 

I'm curious now. When I rebuild my 1979 3406 I'll cut mine apart and post photos of it. Pretty much guarentee its original with 1, maybe 2 million kilometers on it.

 

If it was a viscous damper on your 3406 I can assure you it was not original.
It would of been a rubber/steel unit.

 

It does look like a viscous damper so you got me there. I do know it has to be at least 15-20 years old though as I'm pretty sure the last owner never changed it.

 

My 89 4mg B model came factory with a rubber /steel damper . I'm sure your 79 A model did too...
Not to say it could of been upgraded to a viscous some time in its life.

 

If I'm not mistaken, I think I remember reading that you should, or its "recommended," that you change these out every 500k miles. Being that cheap and easy to swap I think I would.

 

Yes your right on that.