Armstrong (MGB) shock conversion

[Magoo2]

I read an old post that briefly talked about fitting MGB shocks on a model a. If purchased some of these shocks and dimensionally they look like they might work. Anyone have any firsthand advice on doing this conversion.

[Kahuna]

Hi Magoo2
I have a Model B 1932 Ford Tudor sedan.
I have installed MGB REAR shocks on the front end of the car with excellent results.
The arms that were on the shocks when I purchased them were off-set & needed to be bent to work correctly. Rather than bend the levers, I chose to use spacers at the mounting bolt areas. They also needed to have a "ball' added for the connecting links.
The balls, as I recall, were/are available thru one or more of the vendors.
The shocks bolted up in the original position, are rebuildable and work well.
I am not a purist regarding originality, but they look good & as far as I'm concerned, appear better than tube type shocks. The cost was about $200.00 for both rebuilt units.
When I was thinking about this change, I spoke with the Vendor & asked about weight.
I guessed that the front end of my car was about 1200#. He set the shocks for that approximate weight.
Hope this helps you
Jim

[DHZIEMAN]

Originally Posted by Magoo2

I read an old post that briefly talked about fitting MGB shocks on a model a. If purchased some of these shocks and dimensionally they look like they might work. Anyone have any firsthand advice on doing this conversion.

Hi - I am starting on this conversion attempt! I bit the bullet and bought two used MGA rear shocks, and two TR6 rear shocks. They are Armstrong and are used but got them on ebay and not a big cash outlay. And they are not leaking and damp as they are supposed to.

Where I am now!

Model A Ford shock mounting centers are 4 inches
The Armstrong shocks i purchased are on mounting centers of 4 inches
2 SAE 7/16 bolts lockwasher and nut needed for each! Bought them on the web at Bolt depot!
If I am going to use the more modern dog bone to tie them to the Ford lower ball, I need to weld a ball to the shock arms on the front set first to get them connected first!
From Ozark windage measure, I know the shock arms need to be bent to line up with the lower ball so that the dog bone is relatively perpendicular. I have a friend who can do the bending (with a heat sink) to get it where needed on both front wheels.


The rears I have not yet investigated getting them mounted and connected.
When I do, I will share.

[DHZIEMAN]

Originally Posted by Kahuna

Hi Magoo2
I have a Model B 1932 Ford Tudor sedan.
I have installed MGB REAR shocks on the front end of the car with excellent results.
The arms that were on the shocks when I purchased them were off-set & needed to be bent to work correctly. Rather than bend the levers, I chose to use spacers at the mounting bolt areas. They also needed to have a "ball' added for the connecting links.
The balls, as I recall, were/are available thru one or more of the vendors.
The shocks bolted up in the original position, are rebuildable and work well.
I am not a purist regarding originality, but they look good & as far as I'm concerned, appear better than tube type shocks. The cost was about $200.00 for both rebuilt units.
When I was thinking about this change, I spoke with the Vendor & asked about weight.
I guessed that the front end of my car was about 1200#. He set the shocks for that approximate weight.
Hope this helps you
Jim

Jim, Every time I read one of these posts on MG shocks I learn a bit more! Can you share about how much You had to shim out? I love that idea! I kept trying to think of a good way to apply enough heat to bend the arms and yet keep the seals in the shock cool enough to take it. I had it planned to make up a water contraption to keep the shaft and arm mounting cool during torch heating and bending, but, a spacer, now that is a good idea! Using my Ozark wind age method, looks around .5 inch! Would be interested in a picture of your mounting solution. I did the weight consideration thing also on what I picked to buy and I know these are rear shocks yet the MGA car weight runs around 1990 lbs. My Model A runs around 2265 lbs. I am going to go with just trying them to start with and go from there! Again, thank you for helping those that want to try this make a model A Ford a little safer economically!

[john charlton]

Be carefull you get the right shocks with the right model A frame spacing . Armstrong shocks were fitted to many different British cars, Ford Consuls,Zephers and Zodiacs included . These shocks have wider bolt spacing so you would have to drill the frame . The arms can be bent with heat . I use a cold wet towel to cover the shock body to avoid cooking the seals when bending and welding a ball on . They fit fine on the front but need to be shimmed on the back to clear the fender well .


John in sunny Suffolk County England .

[Magoo2]

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Hey guys thanks for the suggestions I really appreciate your help. I like the spacer idea. I might give that a try. If there are any pics I would like to take a look. Thanks again.

[Hoogah]

Originally Posted by Kahuna

Hi Magoo2
I have a Model B 1932 Ford Tudor sedan.
I have installed MGB REAR shocks on the front end of the car with excellent results.
The arms that were on the shocks when I purchased them were off-set & needed to be bent to work correctly. Rather than bend the levers, I chose to use spacers at the mounting bolt areas. They also needed to have a "ball' added for the connecting links.
The balls, as I recall, were/are available thru one or more of the vendors.
The shocks bolted up in the original position, are rebuildable and work well.
I am not a purist regarding originality, but they look good & as far as I'm concerned, appear better than tube type shocks. The cost was about $200.00 for both rebuilt units.
When I was thinking about this change, I spoke with the Vendor & asked about weight.
I guessed that the front end of my car was about 1200#. He set the shocks for that approximate weight.
Hope this helps you
Jim

Originally Posted by DHZIEMAN

Jim, Every time I read one of these posts on MG shocks I learn a bit more! Can you share about how much You had to shim out? I love that idea! I kept trying to think of a good way to apply enough heat to bend the arms and yet keep the seals in the shock cool enough to take it. I had it planned to make up a water contraption to keep the shaft and arm mounting cool during torch heating and bending, but, a spacer, now that is a good idea! Using my Ozark wind age method, looks around .5 inch! Would be interested in a picture of your mounting solution. I did the weight consideration thing also on what I picked to buy and I know these are rear shocks yet the MGA car weight runs around 1990 lbs. My Model A runs around 2265 lbs. I am going to go with just trying them to start with and go from there! Again, thank you for helping those that want to try this make a model A Ford a little safer economically!

Hi Kahuna and DH, I too have come across some Armstrong shocks (free!), but haven't measured them up yet. If they fit, I would like to go down this path also. Would love to see some photos of the details you mentioned, Kahuna, and of your progress, DH!

[Chris Haynes]

Here are the Armstrong's I put on my '30 Tudor. They bolted on to the existing holes in the frame. The arms were removed for heating and bending. The balls were purchased from Snyder's and welded on.

[Hoogah]

Originally Posted by Chris Haynes

Here are the Armstrong's I put on my '30 Tudor. They bolted on to the existing holes in the frame. The arms were removed for heating and bending. The balls were purchased from Snyder's and welded on.
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Thanks, Chris!

[Kahuna]

I'm so sorry for the very late response. I made the spacers 1" each & drilled a hole for the bolts. I was afraid to use heat on the arms & had no idea on how to remove them.
Again, Sorry
Jim

[Hoogah]

Originally Posted by Kahuna

I'm so sorry for the very late response. I made the spacers 1" each & drilled a hole for the bolts. I was afraid to use heat on the arms & had no idea on how to remove them.
Again, Sorry
Jim

Thanks, Jim!

[denis4x4]

Probably not a fair response as my car is a Model A powered hot rod with a lot of custom suspension work. However, I used early MG Midget/Sprite rear shocks on the front of my car and the results were great.

[DHZIEMAN]

Originally Posted by Kahuna

I'm so sorry for the very late response. I made the spacers 1" each & drilled a hole for the bolts. I was afraid to use heat on the arms & had no idea on how to remove them.
Again, Sorry
Jim

Any Pictures that can be shared would be great!

[Floats]

Hi Magoo,
A little off topic, but I installed MGB rear shocks on my 29 Chevy Phaeton and VERY happy.
Have a good weekend