The Ford Barn

700rpm · 01-04-2012, 09:49 PM

I have a set of late 30's, maybe 1938 or 1939, replacement shocks on my coupe. What do I refill them with, and what is the best method of doing this?

Bill Stipe · 01-04-2012, 10:22 PM

Ray if they a repro stocks from the catalog stores most likely they have a fake reservoir and the oil will not go anywhere plus there is no ajustment. They get air in the wing shaft chambers and they will no longer function properly.
I maybe wrong but my guess is that is how they are.
Good Luck

Bill
www.stipemachine.com

Milton · 01-04-2012, 10:44 PM

I used 30w and filled them to the brim and adjusted the damping.

jw hash · 01-05-2012, 09:14 AM

Red Rocket is correct, the repo`s I have took apart to see how they are made do not have oil in the reservoir they only have oil in the chamber,

Bruce Adams · 01-05-2012, 10:12 AM

The originals have a square nut that is an obvious filler location.
I use vendor provided "Shock Absorber Fluid" that is clear and I have heard is glycerin. It does not smell to me like motor oil.

Barry B./ Ma. · 01-05-2012, 10:27 AM

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I've used hydraulc jack oil or STP. The rebuilder of my new shocks uses STP and they are fine. Don't add oil to repro shocks even if there is a fill plug, that's just there for looks.

jhowes · 01-05-2012, 11:19 AM

Barry B. What do you mix the STP with and what ratio? Mine are rebuilt old shocks. Jack

700rpm · 01-05-2012, 11:58 AM

My original post was misleading, I think. These are not post 1970-reproduction Houdaille shocks. These are shocks that were made in about 1938-39 to replace the original Model A shocks, or so I was told. They look similar to V8 shocks, and/or may actually be V8 shocks.

Maybe this question belongs on the V8 site (?).

spinelll · 01-05-2012, 12:22 PM

Are those V8 shocks bending your rear service rods by any chance?

700rpm · 01-05-2012, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spinelll

Are those V8 shocks bending your rear service rods by any chance?

No evidence of that.

Barry B./ Ma. · 01-05-2012, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhowes

Barry B. What do you mix the STP with and what ratio? Mine are rebuilt old shocks. Jack

The rebuilder told me he uses STP straight. An older guy had many shocks at Hershey that he rebuilt and had a test gauge there, they tested out well at 60/40. Barry B.

columbiA · 01-05-2012, 09:40 PM

I just use 90 gear oil in my shocks & seems to work fine.On my 30 cpe I am useing 36 front shocks on the rear & they clear the brake rods fine,but Im useing a Columbia OD from a 40 ford that is slightly wider.On the front the same shocks would rub on the brake rods.Shocks from 28-36 have same mounting bolt spaceing but 37-48 are wider.

Bruce Lancaster · 01-06-2012, 10:48 AM

As far as I know, V8 lever shocks from '32-48 ('47-48 they were phasing out in favor of tube shocks) all had an obvious filler plug up near the top. Maybe these are something else entirely?? Is there someone in your local chapter who could post a picture?

700rpm · 01-06-2012, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce Lancaster

As far as I know, V8 lever shocks from '32-48 ('47-48 they were phasing out in favor of tube shocks) all had an obvious filler plug up near the top. Maybe these are something else entirely?? Is there someone in your local chapter who could post a picture?

I can see the plugs. I was just wondering how you get the fluid into those little holes. Turkey baster?

1931 flamingo · 01-06-2012, 01:36 PM

If these are earlyV8 shocks try posting on the EV8 board.
Paul in CT

Bruce Lancaster · 01-06-2012, 02:17 PM

Or buy an oil can/squirter as dedicated shock tool. A cheap plastic one would also cut down into a good funnel since the little hole is so small.
Joblot used to sell their shock stuff in a tin with a cap that could be screwed on with an integral funnel soldered sideways to closing cap...

Bruce Lancaster · 01-09-2012, 01:47 PM

I just thought of the perfect modern/available shock fillerupper: Check out the nearest store display of Auto fluids. Some of the substances like power steering fluid come in a version of a normal quart oil bottle that has a cap with a built in funnel tip that necks down to realdamnsmall, perfect for the little filler hole in shocks. Buy something your modern wheel can use some day, steal the nice cap and put it on a clean bottle for your shock fluid. At last, a possible replacement for the long departed Joblot tin cans...

01-04-2012, 09:49 PM	#1
700rpm Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 5,906	Clarification: How to add fluid to late 30's (38-39)shocks? I have a set of late 30's, maybe 1938 or 1939, replacement shocks on my coupe. What do I refill them with, and what is the best method of doing this? __________________ Ray Horton, Portland, OR As you go through life, keep your eye on the donut, not the hole. Last edited by 700rpm; 01-05-2012 at 12:01 PM. Reason: Clarify the question

01-04-2012, 10:22 PM	#2
Bill Stipe Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Auburn, Kentucky Posts: 194	Re: How to add fluid to late 30's shocks? Ray if they a repro stocks from the catalog stores most likely they have a fake reservoir and the oil will not go anywhere plus there is no ajustment. They get air in the wing shaft chambers and they will no longer function properly. I maybe wrong but my guess is that is how they are. Good Luck Bill www.stipemachine.com __________________ Building Horse Power --

01-04-2012, 10:44 PM	#3
Milton Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 837	Re: How to add fluid to late 30's shocks? I used 30w and filled them to the brim and adjusted the damping.

01-05-2012, 09:14 AM	#4
jw hash Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auburn Washington Posts: 2,552	Re: How to add fluid to late 30's shocks? Red Rocket is correct, the repo`s I have took apart to see how they are made do not have oil in the reservoir they only have oil in the chamber,

01-05-2012, 10:12 AM	#5
Bruce Adams Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northport, NY Posts: 1,597	Re: How to add fluid to late 30's shocks? The originals have a square nut that is an obvious filler location. I use vendor provided "Shock Absorber Fluid" that is clear and I have heard is glycerin. It does not smell to me like motor oil.

01-05-2012, 10:27 AM	#6
Barry B./ Ma. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southbridge, Ma. Posts: 1,614	Re: How to add fluid to late 30's shocks? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I've used hydraulc jack oil or STP. The rebuilder of my new shocks uses STP and they are fine. Don't add oil to repro shocks even if there is a fill plug, that's just there for looks.

01-05-2012, 11:19 AM	#7
jhowes Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: upstate NY near Mass border Posts: 789	Re: How to add fluid to late 30's shocks? Barry B. What do you mix the STP with and what ratio? Mine are rebuilt old shocks. Jack

01-05-2012, 11:58 AM	#8
700rpm Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 5,906	Re: How to add fluid to late 30's shocks? My original post was misleading, I think. These are not post 1970-reproduction Houdaille shocks. These are shocks that were made in about 1938-39 to replace the original Model A shocks, or so I was told. They look similar to V8 shocks, and/or may actually be V8 shocks. Maybe this question belongs on the V8 site (?). __________________ Ray Horton, Portland, OR As you go through life, keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.

01-05-2012, 12:22 PM	#9
spinelll Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northern New Jersey Posts: 337	Re: Clarification: How to add fluid to late 30's (38-39)shocks? Are those V8 shocks bending your rear service rods by any chance?

01-05-2012, 09:40 PM	#12
columbiA Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 1,746	Re: Clarification: How to add fluid to late 30's (38-39)shocks? I just use 90 gear oil in my shocks & seems to work fine.On my 30 cpe I am useing 36 front shocks on the rear & they clear the brake rods fine,but Im useing a Columbia OD from a 40 ford that is slightly wider.On the front the same shocks would rub on the brake rods.Shocks from 28-36 have same mounting bolt spaceing but 37-48 are wider.

01-06-2012, 10:48 AM	#13
Bruce Lancaster Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Madison, NJ Posts: 5,230	Re: Clarification: How to add fluid to late 30's (38-39)shocks? As far as I know, V8 lever shocks from '32-48 ('47-48 they were phasing out in favor of tube shocks) all had an obvious filler plug up near the top. Maybe these are something else entirely?? Is there someone in your local chapter who could post a picture?

01-06-2012, 01:36 PM	#15
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: Clarification: How to add fluid to late 30's (38-39)shocks? If these are earlyV8 shocks try posting on the EV8 board. Paul in CT

01-06-2012, 02:17 PM	#16
Bruce Lancaster Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Madison, NJ Posts: 5,230	Re: Clarification: How to add fluid to late 30's (38-39)shocks? Or buy an oil can/squirter as dedicated shock tool. A cheap plastic one would also cut down into a good funnel since the little hole is so small. Joblot used to sell their shock stuff in a tin with a cap that could be screwed on with an integral funnel soldered sideways to closing cap...

01-09-2012, 01:47 PM	#17
Bruce Lancaster Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Madison, NJ Posts: 5,230	Re: Clarification: How to add fluid to late 30's (38-39)shocks? I just thought of the perfect modern/available shock fillerupper: Check out the nearest store display of Auto fluids. Some of the substances like power steering fluid come in a version of a normal quart oil bottle that has a cap with a built in funnel tip that necks down to realdamnsmall, perfect for the little filler hole in shocks. Buy something your modern wheel can use some day, steal the nice cap and put it on a clean bottle for your shock fluid. At last, a possible replacement for the long departed Joblot tin cans...