The Ford Barn

acchaplin · 08-30-2024, 07:25 PM

Here goes. Several years ago I ordered the front shocks for a early production '32 from Stipes.

I had planned, when I got more $$ I would order the rears. That turned into a 4+ year wait, and now Stipes is no longer. Bratton's has the Houduallie shocks listed in their catalog and web site.

I was going to place an order to Bratton's for a pair "hex head" (same as the ones I got from Stipes earlier) shocks.

Then I noticed that they show and list, front shocks fit the opposite side on the rear. Ex; RF/LR. Ok, fine and dandy. But looking closely at the location of the shock arm pinch bolt slot in Bratton's pictures, it's backwards. Meaning, the RF shock pictured, has to fit on the RR on my frame for the shock arm to be pointed towards the front.

What's up? I suppose I am not "left eyed, or right eyed" But "cockeyed" Oh well.

The pictures show Stipes shocks for clarification. THANKS

DavidG · 08-30-2024, 09:41 PM

Judging from your photos, those are Model A shocks and not the larger, higher capacity early B shocks used briefly on 4-cyinder chassis. But Model A shocks will work on a '32 chassis if installed correctly. Whomever made those shocks in your photos deserved to go out of business as they are mounted upside down on your chassis. You could not ue front fenders with the shocks the way they are attached to your chassis. The horizontal center line of the shocks should be below the center line of the attaching bolts, not above as shown in your photos.

Bratton's do not sell '32 shocks, no one does as they have never been reproduced. If you want real '32 shocks you have to find rebuidable used ones and the success rate for rebuilding is well below 50 per cent. The shocks that Bratton's sell are Model A shocks.

Lastly, except for some calibration differences to compensate for the heavier body weights of some of the closed body types, the shocks on a '32 chassis are the same front and rear. Two right side shocks on the right side and two left side shocks on the left side.

deuce lover · 08-31-2024, 12:04 AM

New replacements are produced by Rotoshim in UK.My friend here just purchased a pair for his 32 Roadster.

https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=3d1f6...bS5jb20v&ntb=1

DavidG · 08-31-2024, 01:50 AM

Sheldon,

Those aren't reproductions of '32 shocks, but unique technology with the apparent dimensions of a Model A shock, not a '32 shock. For most people they would fit the bill nicely.

Because they have a higher capacity, the bodies of both the short-lived manually adjustable B shock and '32 thermostatically controlled V8 shock are a full 1/4" higher than that of a Model A shock (and that of that interesting British creation).

acchaplin · 08-31-2024, 03:48 AM

[QUOTE=DavidG;2334325]Judging from your photos, those are Model A shocks and not the larger, higher capacity early B shocks used briefly on 4-cyinder chassis. But Model A shocks will work on a '32 chassis if installed correctly. Whomever made those shocks in your photos deserved to go out of business as they are mounted upside down on your chassis. You could not ue front fenders with the shocks the way they are attached to your chassis. The horizontal center line of the shocks should be below the center line of the attaching bolts, not above as shown in your photos.

Bratton's do not sell '32 shocks, no one does as they have never been reproduced. If you want real '32 shocks you have to find rebuidable used ones and the success rate for rebuilding is well below 50 per cent. The shocks that Bratton's sell are Model A shocks.

Lastly, except for some calibration differences to compensate for the heavier they are mounted upside down on your chassis.

Whomever made those shocks in your photos deserved to go out of business
Really!? Well they did kinta. I thought you guys held Stipe Machine Shop in very high reguards and they were the best at everything they did or offered! I was told on here, 4+? years ago, Stipe's Houdallie shocks were "far superior" to any rebuild or off shore reproductions, and other than the 1/4" size difference they would work great on light bodied (ex; hi-boy roadster) '32's! I even asked some traditional hi-boy builds over on the HAMB site back then, what original looking shocks they were using. "STIPES. Expensive, but worth it!"

Bratton's told me, that the manifacture that supplies their Houdillaie shocks uses the same process that Stipe use to use, but not Stipe's grand scale/size.

they are mounted upside down on your chassis.
I don't quite understand,,,,,, UPSIDE DOWN!? 180 degrees upside down!?
You mean to tell me the fill plug is on the bottom!? Aw, c'mon, yer funin me right. Your "upside down" must be different from my "appliachia" upside down meaning. If I swapped those front shocks from side to side and rotated 'em 180 degrees they would be sticking way above the top of the frame, and the "dog bone" would have to be almost a inch longer! Plus, wouldn't the fluid seep out?

David. I do NOT mean to argue with you, since you are "pure $#@%n' genious", but I am more confused by your comments now than when I first asked my Bratton's LF/RR location question. I think your next comment will clear up my confusion.

Your '32 right side left side front and rear being the same comment, is much more clearer! I get it! Model A's are LF/RR, RF/LR, but '32's are the same front and rear on the same side! OK, so all I have to do now, is order another pair of fronts and I'm good to go!

Now, it's yer turn.

David, please tell me if this

deuce lover · 08-31-2024, 04:09 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidG

Sheldon,

Those aren't reproductions of '32 shocks, but unique technology with the apparent dimensions of a Model A shock, not a '32 shock. For most people they would fit the bill nicely.

Because they have a higher capacity, the bodies of both the short-lived manually adjustable B shock and '32 thermostatically controlled V8 shock are a full 1/4" higher than that of a Model A shock (and that of that interesting British creation).

That is why I said "replacement".

DavidG · 08-31-2024, 01:49 PM

Attached is a photo of an early '32 manually-adjustable shock absorber. Sorry, I took the wording of your post literally, which was my mistake, as you obviously have no interest in original '32 shock absorbers, early or late.

acchaplin · 08-31-2024, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidG

Attached is a photo of an early '32 manually-adjustable shock absorber. Sorry, I took the wording of your post literally, which was my mistake, as you obviously have no interest in original '32 shock absorbers, early or late.

Thank you for your explaination! Whew! I was wondering how in the world could those Stipe shocks be mounted "upside down!?" Plus, I take your statements to be worth their weight in gold, since you actually "wrote the book." I actually went up and started taking one side apart,,,,,, there is NO WAY this shock acn be mounted upside down! I guess I can be persuaded when an expert speaks.

As I have mentioned before, my build request(s) are, "Original Looking", not so much as totally "Pebble Beach Correct".

Thanks again David for your help.

deuce lover · 09-01-2024, 05:41 AM

Contact Andy who rebuilds them .Here is his email. I bought a pair of 35 rears outright from him and they are just great!

[email protected]

08-30-2024, 09:41 PM	#2
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,601	Re: need soem "help" to 'sipher the early '32 Hodouallie shocks Judging from your photos, those are Model A shocks and not the larger, higher capacity early B shocks used briefly on 4-cyinder chassis. But Model A shocks will work on a '32 chassis if installed correctly. Whomever made those shocks in your photos deserved to go out of business as they are mounted upside down on your chassis. You could not ue front fenders with the shocks the way they are attached to your chassis. The horizontal center line of the shocks should be below the center line of the attaching bolts, not above as shown in your photos. Bratton's do not sell '32 shocks, no one does as they have never been reproduced. If you want real '32 shocks you have to find rebuidable used ones and the success rate for rebuilding is well below 50 per cent. The shocks that Bratton's sell are Model A shocks. Lastly, except for some calibration differences to compensate for the heavier body weights of some of the closed body types, the shocks on a '32 chassis are the same front and rear. Two right side shocks on the right side and two left side shocks on the left side.

08-31-2024, 12:04 AM	#3
deuce lover Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern France Posts: 5,835	Re: need soem "help" to 'sipher the early '32 Hodouallie shocks New replacements are produced by Rotoshim in UK.My friend here just purchased a pair for his 32 Roadster. https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=3d1f6...bS5jb20v&ntb=1

08-31-2024, 01:50 AM	#4
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,601	Re: need soem "help" to 'sipher the early '32 Hodouallie shocks Sheldon, Those aren't reproductions of '32 shocks, but unique technology with the apparent dimensions of a Model A shock, not a '32 shock. For most people they would fit the bill nicely. Because they have a higher capacity, the bodies of both the short-lived manually adjustable B shock and '32 thermostatically controlled V8 shock are a full 1/4" higher than that of a Model A shock (and that of that interesting British creation).

08-31-2024, 03:48 AM	#5
acchaplin Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2023 Posts: 218	Re: need soem "help" to 'sipher the early '32 Hodouallie shocks [QUOTE=DavidG;2334325]Judging from your photos, those are Model A shocks and not the larger, higher capacity early B shocks used briefly on 4-cyinder chassis. But Model A shocks will work on a '32 chassis if installed correctly. Whomever made those shocks in your photos deserved to go out of business as they are mounted upside down on your chassis. You could not ue front fenders with the shocks the way they are attached to your chassis. The horizontal center line of the shocks should be below the center line of the attaching bolts, not above as shown in your photos. Bratton's do not sell '32 shocks, no one does as they have never been reproduced. If you want real '32 shocks you have to find rebuidable used ones and the success rate for rebuilding is well below 50 per cent. The shocks that Bratton's sell are Model A shocks. Lastly, except for some calibration differences to compensate for the heavier they are mounted upside down on your chassis. Whomever made those shocks in your photos deserved to go out of business Really!? Well they did kinta. I thought you guys held Stipe Machine Shop in very high reguards and they were the best at everything they did or offered! I was told on here, 4+? years ago, Stipe's Houdallie shocks were "far superior" to any rebuild or off shore reproductions, and other than the 1/4" size difference they would work great on light bodied (ex; hi-boy roadster) '32's! I even asked some traditional hi-boy builds over on the HAMB site back then, what original looking shocks they were using. "STIPES. Expensive, but worth it!" Bratton's told me, that the manifacture that supplies their Houdillaie shocks uses the same process that Stipe use to use, but not Stipe's grand scale/size. they are mounted upside down on your chassis. I don't quite understand,,,,,, UPSIDE DOWN!? 180 degrees upside down!? You mean to tell me the fill plug is on the bottom!? Aw, c'mon, yer funin me right. Your "upside down" must be different from my "appliachia" upside down meaning. If I swapped those front shocks from side to side and rotated 'em 180 degrees they would be sticking way above the top of the frame, and the "dog bone" would have to be almost a inch longer! Plus, wouldn't the fluid seep out? David. I do NOT mean to argue with you, since you are "pure $#@%n' genious", but I am more confused by your comments now than when I first asked my Bratton's LF/RR location question. I think your next comment will clear up my confusion. Your '32 right side left side front and rear being the same comment, is much more clearer! I get it! Model A's are LF/RR, RF/LR, but '32's are the same front and rear on the same side! OK, so all I have to do now, is order another pair of fronts and I'm good to go! Now, it's yer turn. David, please tell me if this

09-01-2024, 05:41 AM	#9
deuce lover Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern France Posts: 5,835	Re: need soem "help" to 'sipher the early '32 Hodouallie shocks Contact Andy who rebuilds them .Here is his email. I bought a pair of 35 rears outright from him and they are just great! [email protected]