>>>The Elusive 1933 Ford shock. What am I looking for?<<<

[JeffreyJames]

I'm building a '33 Coupe and I'm on the hunt for what seems like the impossible. But maybe that's because I'm not exactly sure what I am looking for. Are '33 front shocks same at 33/34 rears? They are specific to left and right though right? Can someone provide pics and part numbers of what exactly I need to be on the hunt for? I'm sorry for my ignorance, I'm new to these Model 40's.

[whizzernick]

33 ford original shocks are almost same as 34 rears. You can use them front and rear. They also can be rebuilt. I am not sure who can rebuild. I have lots of original
33-34 shocks .. call me at 510-889-1933 Nick

[gearhead1952]

The front shocks on a 33 go through the frame rail and the 34 shock bolts to the outside of the frame rail. The rear shocks are the same for 33-34 and same as 33 fronts. The shock arms are different for 33 front and 34 front. I can take pics of a pair of 33s if no one else posts any.

[JeffreyJames]

Thank you both! gearhead1952 that would be helpful!

[Bruce in southern OH]

Take a look at these, I can clean up more if this does not help. I will also appreciate the replies to photos from experts
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Notice the bevel at bottom of shock cap/reservoir, pressed on cap.
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[David J]

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Above post is 34 fronts . Below is a 33 front setup . The shock is stamped " B " by one mounting bolt and also on the cover for the adjuster on the end of the shaft . By the other bolt it is stamped " 8 - 33 " . Yes these are dated if you have the original ones . Rear shock is the same but the arm is different . On 33's you have left and right as the front-rear interchange . When new there were a few different stiffness ratings and the shocks were stamped "A" - " B ' etc. I don't have a 33 rear arm to take a pic of handy and also remember the links are different than 34 also . 33's have the holes on opposite sides and 34's have the holes on the same side .

[Flowmeister]

Here is the picture of a front '33 shock that I posted on IG.
There is a difference from L to R, other than the stiffness setting, opposing corners front to rear should interchange.
Yeah, I still need two also

[Flowmeister]

This will help too

[JeffreyJames]

Thanks for the input. Lots of good info!

[David J]

First pic is from a march 34 parts book and is a 33 shock setup . Second pic is from a june 1935 parts book and is not the same as the one in the post above . Third pic is a 33 rear shock arm . Also in the march 34 parts book shock 40-18015-C IS LISTED AS " front, right - rear, right " 710 , 720 , 740 , 750 , 760 , 770 . Shock 40-18016-C shows the same only left side . The shock pictured in the post above is proper as is the one in my first post . What you are looking for is the raised area for the plug to be at an angle . Look at pic two and you will see late 34 rears are like 35 with the plug straight in .

[BILL WZOREK]

The 33 shocks unlike the 32's in that Plug location all point to the front of the car.
So the right side's are the same & the left side are the same.
On the 32's the right front is the same as the left rear & left front is same as right rear.
The 32's all mount on the out side of the frame Both Front & rear.
The 33's all mount on the inside of the frame. David's post #6 shows & Flowmeister's post # 7 are correct
The 34's Front mount on the out side of the frame as as Bruce in sourthern OH shows in post # 5
The 34 rears mount on the inside of the frame.
The 35 Fronts look much like the 34's except the arm is straight and do ball on end of arm they switched to links instead of Dog bones so there is a tapered hole on end of arm
The 35 rear are inside the frame but the body is a little taller.
The 36 Front is outside looks like the 35's except the body is taller so for that reason the arm bends into the frame.
The 36 rear still inside the frame and are the same as 35's in length
In 37 on up the fronts are all on the outside and basically look like the 35+36 rears Except the mounting holes are on the end away from the shaft wich is now splined and the arms are pressed on the arms are different in lenght & shape in different years & the body diameter changed per different years.
The 37 on up Rears went to mounting under the frame. arms pressed on and like the fronts changed in diameter in different years.

I am not trying to steal this thread by any means And I know you asked only about the 33's but I thought this might help in your search for
" Those Elusive 1933 Ford ( Houdaille) shocks "

Happy Hunting !!!!!!

[DavidG]

Depending on how far you want to go with originality, note that the filler plugs are unique to '33 shocks as is the location of the filler plug ('33s are angled and '34s are not, although some early '34s' shock housings have the angled filler plug location cast in, but not drilled for a plug).

[VeryTangled]

Hi Everyone,

Post #8, Flowmeister, thanks for the helping hand. Got any more of those 'photos?' I'd love to see other years, especially 1936 if you have 'em.

-VT/JeffH