The Ford Barn

oldmanandakid · 11-18-2012, 04:08 PM

We are just finishing a running gear rebuild and there were no shocks when we started and there are none now. Did we miss something? Were the cars (30 Std Coupe) sold with shocks or was that an after market item?

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 11-18-2012, 04:16 PM

Only a few Model-As manufactured in the beginning of production came sans shocks. Your car however would have been manufactured with shock absorbers.

oldmanandakid · 11-18-2012, 04:30 PM

Thanks Brent......Anyone have a picture of installed shocks, front and back?

Roadster62 · 11-18-2012, 04:48 PM

Has anyone driven the same Model A WITH and WITHOUT shocks, was there a differance in the ride? Bob

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 11-18-2012, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadster62

Has anyone driven the same Model A WITH and WITHOUT shocks, was there a differance in the ride? Bob

Bob, lots of variables depending on roads traveled on, speeds, and the condition of the shocks. I am a fan of the new Bill Stipe shocks and in touring secondary roads around here, there is a noticible difference in control.

700rpm · 11-18-2012, 05:15 PM

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My dad always said the passengers were the shock absorbers on a Model A...

Marco Tahtaras · 11-18-2012, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadster62

Has anyone driven the same Model A WITH and WITHOUT shocks, was there a differance in the ride? Bob

With GOOD shocks the difference on anything less than a perfect surface is significant. The increase in stability can be substantial.

oldmanandakid · 11-18-2012, 06:48 PM

Just crawled out from under the car and I understand the attachment. Now the real question; what is the best repo shock and who sells it? Or, are re-built originals that will not break the bank available? Don't think I want the modern shocks and sure don't want to be drilling holes in my axle.

Rowdy · 11-18-2012, 07:12 PM

Bill Stipe makes the only good reprodiction shocks (not cheap but have been told they are worth the money). Several people restore the original shocks ( Again not cheap as only about 1 out of every 8 shocks sre rebuildable) and I will not comment one over the other, but will say stay away from M&S Hydraulics. The shocks most Model A parts vendors sell are pure junk. I do beleive afew vendors are now selling Bill Stipes shocks, but I am not sure which ones. Rod

Steve Wastler · 11-18-2012, 07:51 PM

I got a set of restored shocks from Mikes a fordable years ago, the roadster had none. Massive all around difference, was like a completely different car.......

Fred K-OR · 11-18-2012, 07:52 PM

I have M & S Hydraulics on my huckster and they seem to be doing the job. But I am new at this sort of thing so I may not know a good set vs a better one. The huckster has a heaver body because of the solid oak. So it kind of needed something. I did notice a difference after I put the shocks on the huckster. I drive on secondary roads and found that with the shocks the rig went around corners much better. Just my $.02 worth.

Kurt in NJ · 11-18-2012, 08:35 PM

Just after I put the engine back in I went for a ride, the shocks were off because I was redoing them and setting them on a fixture ----without shocks it was a scary ride at 40, with shocks it is a joy to drive at 60 ---original shocks, 4 picked out of 25 taken apart.

dumb person · 11-18-2012, 09:42 PM

Mine has no shocks, drives like a boat. Might fit some based on the advise of this thread.

Elcastor · 11-18-2012, 09:57 PM

Yes, shocks make a BIG difference. There are a lot of bumps in the roads here and without shocks the Model A continues to bounce after going over a bump. Not very impressive in a parade!

I would stay away from M & S Hydraulics (Oregon). I had them rebuild a set a few years ago, and all 4 leaked. This year I had Robert Paul (719-478-5102) (Colorado) rebuild a set and they do not leak, and so far I am very satisfied with them.

Bruce Adams · 11-18-2012, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadster62

Has anyone driven the same Model A WITH and WITHOUT shocks, was there a differance in the ride? Bob

Prior to my installing rebuilt original shocks, the car floated like a baby carriage and bounced like a go kart.
Following installation of shocks it performed like a proper car.

Roadster62 · 11-18-2012, 10:14 PM

Dad bought four reproduction shocks but we never did install them. They have been on the shelf shelf for 35+ years now, wonder if they would still be good? Bob

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce Adams

Prior to my installing rebuilt original shocks, the car floated like a baby carriage and bounced like a go kart.
Following installation of shocks it performed like a proper car.

dumb person · 11-18-2012, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elcastor

Yes, shocks make a BIG difference. There are a lot of bumps in the roads here and without shocks the Model A continues to bounce after going over a bump.

Mine does not do that, it just floats. Does body weight change this?

Chewbacca · 11-18-2012, 10:42 PM

My 30 CCPU had no shocks until I had them installed this summer. When I hit a bump, chuck hole, or, as is very common here in NY, sunken manhole covers, especially on a curve or while making a turn, the truck would "hop" an inch or two sideways. I had new original style shocks installed - no more hop and much smoother going down the road.

John LaVoy · 11-19-2012, 10:22 AM

We did a shock review before Bill Stipe started making shocks. We have his on the Roadster Pickup. Of course we have hardly driven it so don't really have any testing done. We have Robert Paul shocks on a couple of cars, no leaks and they work well.

Special Coupe Frank · 11-19-2012, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

My 30 CCPU had no shocks until I had them installed this summer. When I hit a bump, chuck hole, or, as is very common here in NY, sunken manhole covers, especially on a curve or while making a turn, the truck would "hop" an inch or two sideways. I had new original style shocks installed - no more hop and much smoother going down the road.

This is how my shockless '28 Coupe behaves...

I am saving-up for Bill Stipe repros...

SC Frank

William Kelchner · 11-19-2012, 10:14 PM

How much money are we talking about for the Stipe shocks?

Jim Mason · 11-19-2012, 10:21 PM

take a look at the video of the tudor going over the 8x8's at speed about 19 second in. that will give you an idea of what shocks will do for you...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fu5HfHpf3mI

Ray in La Mesa · 11-20-2012, 10:36 AM

Bill Stipe shocks were about $850/4 but he has stopped production due to the economic situation, kinda like Brumfield heads.

Rowdy · 11-20-2012, 10:46 AM

I was not aware that he had stopped making them. Another well made part no longer availiable. Rod

juke joint johnny · 11-20-2012, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Special Coupe Frank

This is how my shockless '28 Coupe behaves...

I am saving-up for Bill Stipe repros...

SC Frank

I bought a 28 Roadster Pickup a few years ago that had no shocks ; When you went over a bump at 30 miles an hour the whole thing would Hop and you would be in the other lane !!!! Preety Scary !!!

Worked fine with original shocks .

John Cochran

bogiediver · 11-20-2012, 11:48 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by William Kelchner

How much money are we talking about for the Stipe shocks?

Ditto...

Ron/IA · 11-20-2012, 01:25 PM

I am not trying to contradict the norm that shocks are better on than off (I believe there should be shocks on the A); but my '29 Fordor does not have shocks right now, and when it goes over a bump, man-hole, etc., it does not skip or jump around. It is a very solid driving car. Could it be the weight of the Fordor, the springs, or what.

Just my opinion, but when the streering system in spot on, the Model A drives well with or without shocks.

Ron/IA

Kevin in NJ · 11-20-2012, 01:38 PM

I have noticed that people who do not have shocks and do not complain about the car jumping around have obvious (to me) bad springs. They may also need significant lubrication.

For the 30-31 cars you should be able to see about 1/2 the axle showing from under the front splash apron. Typically the bad spring cars have the axle way up behind and the shackles are push out.

The 30 fordor I had did not come with shocks. I did not drive it much until I fixed the significant suspension issues which included taking apart the springs and lubricating them. When I was done I had brakes that worked and springs that bounced. I took one ride and could not hold the car on the road above 25 MPH. I quickly finished rebuilding shocks and the car had no problems running 60 MPH.

So if you do not have shocks and you think your car drives nice then you have not driven a nice driving Model A. Seems too many have fairly low standards for a nice driving A.

Ca. Kid · 11-20-2012, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rowdy

I was not aware that he had stopped making them. Another well made part no longer availiable. Rod

Rowdy, I bought a set of Bill Stipes shocks last winter for my Murry town sedan. Made a big difference in handling. He still had a good inventory left at that time so they are still available. I think they were around $1000 including shipping.

TudooR31 · 11-20-2012, 05:28 PM

New front spring, shackles, tie rod, drag link, king pins, now looking at shocks which were missing on my car. Am finding sealed shocks seem to dominate the market. I think Mac's were selling the remaining Stipe units @ $1400 a set. They now carry a sealed shock stamped "Bosbension" or "Posbension" @ $235 each. Mike's carries sealed shocks @ $170 each. Snyder's has sealed shocks @ $165 each although they say the function is 'fair'.
So I'm hearing the sealed shocks are no good. What happens to them? Do they ride hard, soft, do they leak, not fit well, just don't improve the ride/handling?
Any recent personal experience with 'sealed' shocks, pro or con is appreciated.

11-18-2012, 04:08 PM	#1
oldmanandakid Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Southern Nevada Posts: 149	Do All A's Have Shocks We are just finishing a running gear rebuild and there were no shocks when we started and there are none now. Did we miss something? Were the cars (30 Std Coupe) sold with shocks or was that an after market item?

11-18-2012, 04:16 PM	#2
BRENT in 10-uh-C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Tennessee Posts: 11,513	Re: Do All A's Have Shocks Only a few Model-As manufactured in the beginning of production came sans shocks. Your car however would have been manufactured with shock absorbers. __________________ . BRENT in 10-uh-C . www.model-a-ford.com ...(...Finally Updated!! ) .

11-18-2012, 04:30 PM	#3
oldmanandakid Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Southern Nevada Posts: 149	Re: Do All A's Have Shocks Thanks Brent......Anyone have a picture of installed shocks, front and back?

11-18-2012, 04:48 PM	#4
Roadster62 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ridgefield, Ct Posts: 3,441	Re: Do All A's Have Shocks Has anyone driven the same Model A WITH and WITHOUT shocks, was there a differance in the ride? Bob __________________ They don't have to run to be enjoyed. I'm here to enjoy the hobby, and enjoy the cars no matter what they look like. Most of the worlds problems are electrical.

11-18-2012, 05:15 PM	#6
700rpm Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 5,906	Re: Do All A's Have Shocks Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) My dad always said the passengers were the shock absorbers on a Model A... __________________ Ray Horton, Portland, OR As you go through life, keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.

11-18-2012, 06:48 PM	#8
oldmanandakid Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Southern Nevada Posts: 149	Re: Do All A's Have Shocks Just crawled out from under the car and I understand the attachment. Now the real question; what is the best repo shock and who sells it? Or, are re-built originals that will not break the bank available? Don't think I want the modern shocks and sure don't want to be drilling holes in my axle.

11-18-2012, 07:12 PM	#9
Rowdy BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gothenburg Nebraska Just off I-80 Posts: 4,893	Re: Do All A's Have Shocks Bill Stipe makes the only good reprodiction shocks (not cheap but have been told they are worth the money). Several people restore the original shocks ( Again not cheap as only about 1 out of every 8 shocks sre rebuildable) and I will not comment one over the other, but will say stay away from M&S Hydraulics. The shocks most Model A parts vendors sell are pure junk. I do beleive afew vendors are now selling Bill Stipes shocks, but I am not sure which ones. Rod __________________ Do the RIGHT thing - Support the H.A.M.B. Alliance!!!!

11-18-2012, 07:51 PM	#10
Steve Wastler Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,987	Re: Do All A's Have Shocks I got a set of restored shocks from Mikes a fordable years ago, the roadster had none. Massive all around difference, was like a completely different car.......

11-18-2012, 07:52 PM	#11
Fred K-OR Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Stayton, Oregon Posts: 3,806	Re: Do All A's Have Shocks I have M & S Hydraulics on my huckster and they seem to be doing the job. But I am new at this sort of thing so I may not know a good set vs a better one. The huckster has a heaver body because of the solid oak. So it kind of needed something. I did notice a difference after I put the shocks on the huckster. I drive on secondary roads and found that with the shocks the rig went around corners much better. Just my $.02 worth. __________________ Fred Kroon 1929 Std Coupe 1929 Huckster

11-18-2012, 08:35 PM	#12
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,159	Re: Do All A's Have Shocks Just after I put the engine back in I went for a ride, the shocks were off because I was redoing them and setting them on a fixture ----without shocks it was a scary ride at 40, with shocks it is a joy to drive at 60 ---original shocks, 4 picked out of 25 taken apart.

11-18-2012, 09:42 PM	#13
dumb person Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: South pacific island Posts: 1,724	Re: Do All A's Have Shocks Mine has no shocks, drives like a boat. Might fit some based on the advise of this thread.

11-18-2012, 09:57 PM	#14
Elcastor Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Oregon and Baja Mexico Posts: 617	Re: Do All A's Have Shocks Yes, shocks make a BIG difference. There are a lot of bumps in the roads here and without shocks the Model A continues to bounce after going over a bump. Not very impressive in a parade! I would stay away from M & S Hydraulics (Oregon). I had them rebuild a set a few years ago, and all 4 leaked. This year I had Robert Paul (719-478-5102) (Colorado) rebuild a set and they do not leak, and so far I am very satisfied with them. __________________ Ben Purkey Mexico and the Pacific NW http://www.martin-parry.com/

11-18-2012, 10:42 PM	#18
Chewbacca Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 7	Re: Do All A's Have Shocks My 30 CCPU had no shocks until I had them installed this summer. When I hit a bump, chuck hole, or, as is very common here in NY, sunken manhole covers, especially on a curve or while making a turn, the truck would "hop" an inch or two sideways. I had new original style shocks installed - no more hop and much smoother going down the road. __________________ Bob Lennox 1930 Closed Cab Pickup - Touring Class Lakeshore Model A Club MAFCA, MARC

11-19-2012, 10:22 AM	#19
John LaVoy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rocklin, CA Posts: 1,219	Re: Do All A's Have Shocks We did a shock review before Bill Stipe started making shocks. We have his on the Roadster Pickup. Of course we have hardly driven it so don't really have any testing done. We have Robert Paul shocks on a couple of cars, no leaks and they work well.

11-19-2012, 10:14 PM	#21
William Kelchner Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Warrenton, Va. Posts: 459	Re: Do All A's Have Shocks How much money are we talking about for the Stipe shocks?

11-19-2012, 10:21 PM	#22
Jim Mason Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 914	Re: Do All A's Have Shocks take a look at the video of the tudor going over the 8x8's at speed about 19 second in. that will give you an idea of what shocks will do for you... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fu5HfHpf3mI __________________ www.jmodela.coffeecup.com Fwiw, jm.

11-20-2012, 10:36 AM	#23
Ray in La Mesa Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: La Mesa Ca Posts: 1,166	Re: Do All A's Have Shocks Bill Stipe shocks were about $850/4 but he has stopped production due to the economic situation, kinda like Brumfield heads.

11-20-2012, 10:46 AM	#24
Rowdy BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gothenburg Nebraska Just off I-80 Posts: 4,893	Re: Do All A's Have Shocks I was not aware that he had stopped making them. Another well made part no longer availiable. Rod __________________ Do the RIGHT thing - Support the H.A.M.B. Alliance!!!!

11-20-2012, 01:25 PM	#27
Ron/IA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Amana IA Posts: 527	Re: Do All A's Have Shocks I am not trying to contradict the norm that shocks are better on than off (I believe there should be shocks on the A); but my '29 Fordor does not have shocks right now, and when it goes over a bump, man-hole, etc., it does not skip or jump around. It is a very solid driving car. Could it be the weight of the Fordor, the springs, or what. Just my opinion, but when the streering system in spot on, the Model A drives well with or without shocks. Ron/IA __________________ Ron/IA 1929 Fordor Steelback Hawk A Model A Ford Club http://hawkamodelaclub.org/

11-20-2012, 01:38 PM	#28
Kevin in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South East NJ Posts: 3,398	Re: Do All A's Have Shocks I have noticed that people who do not have shocks and do not complain about the car jumping around have obvious (to me) bad springs. They may also need significant lubrication. For the 30-31 cars you should be able to see about 1/2 the axle showing from under the front splash apron. Typically the bad spring cars have the axle way up behind and the shackles are push out. The 30 fordor I had did not come with shocks. I did not drive it much until I fixed the significant suspension issues which included taking apart the springs and lubricating them. When I was done I had brakes that worked and springs that bounced. I took one ride and could not hold the car on the road above 25 MPH. I quickly finished rebuilding shocks and the car had no problems running 60 MPH. So if you do not have shocks and you think your car drives nice then you have not driven a nice driving Model A. Seems too many have fairly low standards for a nice driving A.

11-20-2012, 05:28 PM	#30
TudooR31 Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 87	Re: Do All A's Have Shocks New front spring, shackles, tie rod, drag link, king pins, now looking at shocks which were missing on my car. Am finding sealed shocks seem to dominate the market. I think Mac's were selling the remaining Stipe units @ $1400 a set. They now carry a sealed shock stamped "Bosbension" or "Posbension" @ $235 each. Mike's carries sealed shocks @ $170 each. Snyder's has sealed shocks @ $165 each although they say the function is 'fair'. So I'm hearing the sealed shocks are no good. What happens to them? Do they ride hard, soft, do they leak, not fit well, just don't improve the ride/handling? Any recent personal experience with 'sealed' shocks, pro or con is appreciated.