The Ford Barn

Procoat · 03-22-2022, 04:32 PM

I have a newly acquired '28 P/U with a frame that has 4 half cylinder pieces attached. Any idea what these are? They aren't on the frame of my '30 P/U.

SonicRaT · 03-22-2022, 04:44 PM

Those are shocks. Often leak and non-functional... sometimes, but rarely, rebuildable.

mercman from oz · 03-22-2022, 05:20 PM

Ford Model A Shock Absorbers.

BillCNC · 03-22-2022, 05:38 PM

This is the time the vacuum finds your wallet. Mine came with only two and I went for the original design replacments.

Regards
Bill

WTSHNN · 03-22-2022, 06:00 PM

They are hydraulic shock absorbers and came on all production Model A's. You may find the addition of them to your pickup will greatly increase the ride.

al's28/33 · 03-22-2022, 06:13 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Houdaille Hydraulic shock absorbers, every "A" had them. It is worth cleaning them good and seeing what type those are if you wanna find a guy with an early '28 looking for those parts, don't ever toss away old parts!!

aermotor · 03-22-2022, 06:37 PM

Easiest and cheapest way out for shocks is modern tubular shock conversion.

Synchro909 · 03-22-2022, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aermotor

Easiest and cheapest way out for shocks is modern tubular shock conversion.

IMO, the suppliers of these conversions should have done a little more work before taking them to market. Tele shockers are way too stiff.

nkaminar · 03-22-2022, 07:43 PM

First, disconnect the links. Looks like one is already disconnected. Try to move it up and down. Move the arm to the one that does not have one to test that one. If it moves but easily, try adding some shock oil, available from the vendors, at the square plug at the top. It if has resistance with new shock oil, congratulations, you just saved a ton of money. If not, or if frozen solid, send them in to have them rebuilt.

They are really hard to rebuilt without special tools.

If the springs are dry and stiff the car will work without shocks but the springs should be rebuilt with dry lubrication or grease and shocks added. Because they are hard to rebuild and parts were not available for a long time and because most of the shocks were worn out, lots of cars had them removed back in the day.

burner31 · 03-22-2022, 09:23 PM

Just had a thread about this...that's why a lot, and I mean a lot a A's had no shocks or they were disconnected.
Modern shocks work great (and much cheaper) if you are into driving and not high point showing

Procoat · 03-23-2022, 07:18 AM

Thank you for the help identifying them. I am definitely going to clean/dust them off and see if they are totally shot. If they aren't totally gone, I will see about getting them rebuilt.

lotsagas4u · 03-23-2022, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Procoat

Thank you for the help identifying them. I am definitely going to clean/dust them off and see if they are totally shot. If they aren't totally gone, I will see about getting them rebuilt.

Call Stipe machine shop, get on the list, might as well do it right.

03-22-2022, 04:44 PM	#2
SonicRaT Member Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 44	Re: 1928 Model A Frame - What is this Those are shocks. Often leak and non-functional... sometimes, but rarely, rebuildable.

03-22-2022, 05:20 PM	#3
mercman from oz Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 10,466	Re: 1928 Model A Frame - What is this Ford Model A Shock Absorbers.

03-22-2022, 05:38 PM	#4
BillCNC Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: SoCal Desert Posts: 826	Re: 1928 Model A Frame - What is this This is the time the vacuum finds your wallet. Mine came with only two and I went for the original design replacments. Regards Bill

03-22-2022, 06:00 PM	#5
WTSHNN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,422	Re: 1928 Model A Frame - What is this They are hydraulic shock absorbers and came on all production Model A's. You may find the addition of them to your pickup will greatly increase the ride. __________________ No one wants advice - only corroboration. -John Steinbeck

03-22-2022, 06:13 PM	#6
al's28/33 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Redwood City, CA Posts: 1,595	Re: 1928 Model A Frame - What is this Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Houdaille Hydraulic shock absorbers, every "A" had them. It is worth cleaning them good and seeing what type those are if you wanna find a guy with an early '28 looking for those parts, don't ever toss away old parts!! __________________ 1928 "A" Phaeton (mid year with many early features) 1933 "V8" Closed-Cab Pickup Truck (originally a Model B, 4 Cylinder dating to May, 1933)

03-22-2022, 06:37 PM	#7
aermotor Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 1,099	Re: 1928 Model A Frame - What is this Easiest and cheapest way out for shocks is modern tubular shock conversion.

03-22-2022, 07:43 PM	#9
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 4,132	Re: 1928 Model A Frame - What is this First, disconnect the links. Looks like one is already disconnected. Try to move it up and down. Move the arm to the one that does not have one to test that one. If it moves but easily, try adding some shock oil, available from the vendors, at the square plug at the top. It if has resistance with new shock oil, congratulations, you just saved a ton of money. If not, or if frozen solid, send them in to have them rebuilt. They are really hard to rebuilt without special tools. If the springs are dry and stiff the car will work without shocks but the springs should be rebuilt with dry lubrication or grease and shocks added. Because they are hard to rebuild and parts were not available for a long time and because most of the shocks were worn out, lots of cars had them removed back in the day. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past. Last edited by nkaminar; 03-22-2022 at 07:54 PM.

03-22-2022, 09:23 PM	#10
burner31 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Shawnee, Ok Posts: 3,471	Re: 1928 Model A Frame - What is this Just had a thread about this...that's why a lot, and I mean a lot a A's had no shocks or they were disconnected. Modern shocks work great (and much cheaper) if you are into driving and not high point showing __________________ Keith Shawnee OK '31 SW 160-B

03-23-2022, 07:18 AM	#11
Procoat Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: PA Posts: 2	Re: 1928 Model A Frame - What is this Thank you for the help identifying them. I am definitely going to clean/dust them off and see if they are totally shot. If they aren't totally gone, I will see about getting them rebuilt.