Question about original shocks

[Steve Schmauch]

Hello Kurt--Many have tried duplicating the bench tester shown in the Ford Service Bulletins. Unless you know the exact dimensions and weights of the arm and related parts there is no way to duplicate resistance measurements. Also temperature plays a very important part in resistance settings. Ford eliminated numbered arms for setting the needle valve for obvious reasons...as the shock wears the settings have to change accordingly. Did you know that Ford changed the viscosity characteristics at least 9 times for Model A and V8 shocks?

Your pointer and the needle valve suggest two close but different time periods in 1929. When you removed the cover was there any evidence of a thin, white rubbery gasket? If not then this shock has had at least one rebuild.

Your photo of the chamber shows bottom grooves. Typically these shocks have a very smooth machined bottom surface. I would be surprised if some of the oil does not "leak" past the wing shaft.

These are my observations, and I hope you do not feel I am being critical, as my only intent is helping! I have worked with shocks for more than 40 years and have tested the resistance capacity of hundreds of professionally rebuilt shocks from most of the major rebuilders. I have a lot of experience with the original KR Wilson bench tester over the last 15 years or so. I can help you with specifics if you are interested!