1932 shock absorber question
 

On my sons original Deuce Tudor were looking at the stock 32 shocks and are wondering what is the part that look like a bolt with a nut located behind it located in the center of the shocks shaft. Is this an adjustment of some type?

Re: 1932 shock absorber question
 

Yes, adjustment,

Re: 1932 shock absorber question
 

Thanks for the answer.

Re: 1932 shock absorber question
 

They were originally designed to be temperature sensitive and there was/is a bi-metal core beneath that oblong threaded plug on the end of the shaft. That core adjusted the size of the internal orifices to better match them to the viscosity of the fluid at any given ambient temperature. They could be fine tuned by adjusting the core.

Many a re-buildable '32-'34 shock with that feature has been destroyed by improper removal of the bi-metal core.

Re: 1932 shock absorber question
 

Thanks David very interesting.

Re: 1932 shock absorber question
 

form the original description it seems like model a style shocks with external hex adjuster, no oblong plug covering internal slotted adjuster by his descriptrion

Re: 1932 shock absorber question
 

Kurt,

On rereading #! or more accurately thinking about what I had read, you're right, it does sound like the externally-adjustable type of shock and not the thermostatically-controlled version. Ford initially released both types of shocks for the '32s with the former intended to be used on four-cylinder chassis and the latter on V8 chassis. That lineup changed shortly after Job #1 and the externally-adjustable type was designated as obsolete with the remaining inventory to be used up on commercial chassis. As a result, the externally-adjustable version of the '32 shock absorber is rarely encountered today. Often it is confused with Model A shock absorbers, but the '32 version (on the left in the photo below) is unique by virtue of its higher fluid capacity reflected by its 1/4" greater height plus the unique-to-'32 casting pattern on the back of the shock.

The other photo is of a '32 thermostatically-controlled shock and it was the type I was referring in my earlier post (#4).

Re: 1932 shock absorber question
 

The 32 Tudor is an early four cylinder model and the shocks look exactly like the one on the left in Davids picture with the external 1/2" hex adjuster. Never looked under my original buried under lots of stuff four cylinder 32 pickup to see what the shocks look like now i will. Once again David your knowledge is amazing i really appreciate the time you take helping us understand what we have or don't have.
Ronnieroadster

Re: 1932 shock absorber question
 

I wonder if the new lever shocks made by Stipes MCI have the same internal features as the originals?

Re: 1932 shock absorber question
 

I believe the Stipe shocks are Model A only...................
Paul in CT

Re: 1932 shock absorber question
 

later parts books list 28-32 as all the same
the stipe shocks may differ in manufacturing details, but not damping function

Re: 1932 shock absorber question
 

Increased capacity is not a "manufacturing detail". Model A shocks will fit a '32 chassis, but not function as well as the originals given the increased weight of a '32 compared to a Model A, model to model. When the design of a part is changed, there is always a good reason for the change.

Re: 1932 shock absorber question
 

I used the Stipes shocks on the front of a chassis I built for a 32 lakester that was finished by Dale Grau in Minn. Be interesting to know how they work when he gets the car on the road this summer.