The Ford Barn

verdirick · 07-16-2017, 04:50 PM

Has anyone tried using 303 Hydraulic fluid in the original Houdaille shocks? Thought I'd give it a try before ordering shock fluid from one of the parts houses.
Appreciate any thoughts.
Thanks
Rick

raprice · 07-16-2017, 07:08 PM

Rick,
I bought the shock fluid from one of the Model A suppliers. What is boils down to is that it's a lot like mineral oil.
Rog

Gary WA · 07-16-2017, 08:09 PM

I use Hydraulic Jack fluid.

SSsssteamer · 07-16-2017, 11:36 PM

A word of caution. Don't mix your fluid types. On a new clean shock, using the same type of fluid, you are all right with the one type. If your shocks are low on fluid, add only the same type of fluid again. Mixing fluids can create a gummed up mess. Been there, done that.

Kevin in NJ · 07-17-2017, 08:08 AM

You really need to look at the Service Bulletins to understand the correct oil for your shocks.

You need to keep in mind the shock should be very very stiff. That is it should take like 15 seconds to travel a certain distance (look up the correct time as I pulling this out of the air) with a 6lb weight at the end of a metal bar.

What I found is the very slightly worn shocks I have were very fast and no comparison to the Ford spec. What this means is you need to experiment with thicker oils to get the shocks functioning like factory.

This applies for very tight shocks. Any shock beyond say (I am making this up) .002" of wear they might be getting too loose and never get close to factory specs.

I have based the above information over some quick experiments I did when I was tearing down shocks to figure out if I have 4 of the same that might work. I stopped because it was clear I needed to gather more information. What I was told should work by others clearly was not correct information based on the limited experiments I did.

My next step will be to make the correct KRW like test weight and buy some heavier oils then what people commonly recommend as good for shocks. Keep in mind the oil people recommed is likely to be good for NOS perfect shocks, but I have reason to believe we need to think about this some more.

Don Turley · 07-17-2017, 07:42 PM

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Here is a photo of a can of original Houdaille Shock Absorber Fluid. It is still about half full. Made by R.M. Hollingshead Corp. The instructions on the back of the can warn that there are two types of fluid, each made from a different formula and not interchangeable.

Don Turley

07-16-2017, 04:50 PM	#1
verdirick Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Verdi, Nevada Posts: 166	Houdaille Shock fluid Has anyone tried using 303 Hydraulic fluid in the original Houdaille shocks? Thought I'd give it a try before ordering shock fluid from one of the parts houses. Appreciate any thoughts. Thanks Rick

07-16-2017, 07:08 PM	#2
raprice Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Elwood, NY Posts: 299	Re: Houdaille Shock fluid Rick, I bought the shock fluid from one of the Model A suppliers. What is boils down to is that it's a lot like mineral oil. Rog

07-16-2017, 11:36 PM	#4
SSsssteamer Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Sedro-Woolley, WA Posts: 1,023	Re: Houdaille Shock fluid A word of caution. Don't mix your fluid types. On a new clean shock, using the same type of fluid, you are all right with the one type. If your shocks are low on fluid, add only the same type of fluid again. Mixing fluids can create a gummed up mess. Been there, done that.

07-17-2017, 08:08 AM	#5
Kevin in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South East NJ Posts: 3,398	Re: Houdaille Shock fluid You really need to look at the Service Bulletins to understand the correct oil for your shocks. You need to keep in mind the shock should be very very stiff. That is it should take like 15 seconds to travel a certain distance (look up the correct time as I pulling this out of the air) with a 6lb weight at the end of a metal bar. What I found is the very slightly worn shocks I have were very fast and no comparison to the Ford spec. What this means is you need to experiment with thicker oils to get the shocks functioning like factory. This applies for very tight shocks. Any shock beyond say (I am making this up) .002" of wear they might be getting too loose and never get close to factory specs. I have based the above information over some quick experiments I did when I was tearing down shocks to figure out if I have 4 of the same that might work. I stopped because it was clear I needed to gather more information. What I was told should work by others clearly was not correct information based on the limited experiments I did. My next step will be to make the correct KRW like test weight and buy some heavier oils then what people commonly recommend as good for shocks. Keep in mind the oil people recommed is likely to be good for NOS perfect shocks, but I have reason to believe we need to think about this some more.