The Ford Barn

Fred A · 09-02-2018, 01:05 PM

My '40 front shocks have been extensively flushed with kerosene, even removing the valve control. After draining the kerosene and resetting the valve, the shocks were refilled with Bar's Jack Oil with Stop Leak. Could this oil be too thin as there is far less resistance than before. Valve adjustment has little effect. Thought I was on to something but... Any thoughts or experience? I know most shocks are farmed out but there are too many non performing phonies in the LA/Orange area. The low prices for candidate shocks, seems like it's worth a try. What do you think or know? Fred A

Kube · 09-02-2018, 03:32 PM

Fred,
There are some shocks that need more than a flush and fill. Hopefully, you don't have those

Hydraulic jack oil is what most guys use with good results.

Rebuilder's? the fellow that took over Bill Wzoreck's business was supposed to be good. I don't know about that personally. Perhaps folks with first hand experience with him can chime in.

rotorwrench · 09-02-2018, 05:23 PM

Glycerine and Castor oil aren't all that viscous. Both of those were used as shock oil by Houdaille back in the day.

Kube has a point. if the wing shaft & seals have problems then there may be too much leak by for the shock to function correctly. That fact that they function at all does make them a good candidate for overhaul by one of those shops that specialize in older Who-Die shocks.

I think this is Andrew Falandes' e-mail. [email protected]
He took over Bill Wzorek's rebuilding service.

Fred A · 09-02-2018, 06:56 PM

Sure don't want "shops that specialize" on this car. Part of the mission is to keep the net price of the whole thing below zero dollars. I still think it can be done, but not if I hire the best guys. Too long a story, but there is no shame in making things under budget. I'm not the US government or a defense contractor. This current '40 has been the parts car for four '40 coupes from an estate, I've now sold. Seems to be a trend that so many of the questions that I put to the car sites get no play, a clear indication that I do things differently and can expect to work a bit harder to get it together as it is planned. Lucky for many of us '40 guys, so many '40 parts were saved and availability is wonderful. Swap meets have and continue to serve me well. Thanks for the thoughts: Fred A

FortyNiner · 09-02-2018, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred A

Sure don't want "shops that specialize" on this car. Part of the mission is to keep the net price of the whole thing below zero dollars.

So, you want an inexperienced shop that works for zero pay. Let me know how that goes.

Fred A · 09-03-2018, 12:21 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by FortyNiner

So, you want an inexperienced shop that works for zero pay. Let me know how that goes.

No! Looks like I don't want a shop at all. Just thought there are guys that have taken on the task of tuning up their late Houdailles. I'm not working on worn out shocks with loose shafts, but take offs where perhaps tube shocks replaced the originals. I find my flushed out correct shocks are a little weak and looking for those that have done well working on Houdailles. That skill seems a bit rare out here. Guess that's what FortyNiner is trying to tell me. Fred A

DocJohn · 09-03-2018, 03:19 AM

Do you know the ISO VG number for the jack oil? It's probably 40, which is basically the kinematic viscosity in centiStokes. You could try an ISO VG 68 compressor oil or even ISO VG 100. The neat thing is you can blend to your own viscosity by mixing different grades.

Kurt in NJ · 09-03-2018, 03:23 AM

try tractor multi viscosity hydraulic oil, or look into motorcycle fork oil

rotorwrench · 09-03-2018, 10:20 AM

You say "late Houdaille shocks". You do realize that they haven't made these for many years. A lot of folks converted over to tube shocks after the war since kits were available back then. Many of the reproductions made now are crap anyway. You won't get a lot of play when you shoot the messengers.

A lot of folk do there own, so good luck. Here is an article of interest.
http://phscollectorcarworld.blogspot...lic-shock.html

VeryTangled · 09-03-2018, 10:30 AM

Hi Everyone. Andrew Falandes, my shock rebuilder, who took over from the legendary Bill Wzorek, sent this when I asked about the fluid he recommends.

"The correct oil for Bills and my rebuilds is gear oil 85-140w or as close as you can get. I recommend putting a little sealer on the fill plug when tighten it. I use permatex #2 form a gasket"

Fred A · 09-03-2018, 11:18 AM

Thanks guys for the tide of numbers and references. After touring the internet the mix of standards for viscosity seem nicely cross referenced. The Jack oil I used is qualitatively called thin or given low ISO and SAE guesses as the relative viscosity is buried in the SDS or specs. Very Tangled Jeff relays a fine quote that is much heavier than expected but well sourced. A bit sorry to abandon the stop leak feature of the Bar's. Off to the parts store for some new juice. Thanks: Fred A

09-02-2018, 01:05 PM	#1
Fred A Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Encino California, near Burbank Posts: 935	'40 Houdaille Shock Fluid? My '40 front shocks have been extensively flushed with kerosene, even removing the valve control. After draining the kerosene and resetting the valve, the shocks were refilled with Bar's Jack Oil with Stop Leak. Could this oil be too thin as there is far less resistance than before. Valve adjustment has little effect. Thought I was on to something but... Any thoughts or experience? I know most shocks are farmed out but there are too many non performing phonies in the LA/Orange area. The low prices for candidate shocks, seems like it's worth a try. What do you think or know? Fred A

09-02-2018, 05:23 PM	#3
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,440	Re: '40 Houdaille Shock Fluid? Glycerine and Castor oil aren't all that viscous. Both of those were used as shock oil by Houdaille back in the day. Kube has a point. if the wing shaft & seals have problems then there may be too much leak by for the shock to function correctly. That fact that they function at all does make them a good candidate for overhaul by one of those shops that specialize in older Who-Die shocks. I think this is Andrew Falandes' e-mail. [email protected] He took over Bill Wzorek's rebuilding service.

09-02-2018, 06:56 PM	#4
Fred A Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Encino California, near Burbank Posts: 935	Re: '40 Houdaille Shock Fluid? Sure don't want "shops that specialize" on this car. Part of the mission is to keep the net price of the whole thing below zero dollars. I still think it can be done, but not if I hire the best guys. Too long a story, but there is no shame in making things under budget. I'm not the US government or a defense contractor. This current '40 has been the parts car for four '40 coupes from an estate, I've now sold. Seems to be a trend that so many of the questions that I put to the car sites get no play, a clear indication that I do things differently and can expect to work a bit harder to get it together as it is planned. Lucky for many of us '40 guys, so many '40 parts were saved and availability is wonderful. Swap meets have and continue to serve me well. Thanks for the thoughts: Fred A Last edited by Fred A; 09-02-2018 at 07:12 PM.

09-03-2018, 03:19 AM	#7
DocJohn Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Derbyshire, UK Posts: 68	Re: '40 Houdaille Shock Fluid? Do you know the ISO VG number for the jack oil? It's probably 40, which is basically the kinematic viscosity in centiStokes. You could try an ISO VG 68 compressor oil or even ISO VG 100. The neat thing is you can blend to your own viscosity by mixing different grades.

09-03-2018, 03:23 AM	#8
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,159	Re: '40 Houdaille Shock Fluid? try tractor multi viscosity hydraulic oil, or look into motorcycle fork oil

09-02-2018, 03:32 PM	#2
Kube Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 9,007	Re: '40 Houdaille Shock Fluid? Fred, There are some shocks that need more than a flush and fill. Hopefully, you don't have those Hydraulic jack oil is what most guys use with good results. Rebuilder's? the fellow that took over Bill Wzoreck's business was supposed to be good. I don't know about that personally. Perhaps folks with first hand experience with him can chime in. __________________ "I can explain it for you. However, I can't understand it for you".

09-03-2018, 10:20 AM	#9
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,440	Re: '40 Houdaille Shock Fluid? You say "late Houdaille shocks". You do realize that they haven't made these for many years. A lot of folks converted over to tube shocks after the war since kits were available back then. Many of the reproductions made now are crap anyway. You won't get a lot of play when you shoot the messengers. A lot of folk do there own, so good luck. Here is an article of interest. http://phscollectorcarworld.blogspot...lic-shock.html Last edited by rotorwrench; 09-03-2018 at 10:31 AM.

09-03-2018, 10:30 AM	#10
VeryTangled Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: (Not far enough...) Outside of DC Posts: 3,387	Re: '40 Houdaille Shock Fluid? Hi Everyone. Andrew Falandes, my shock rebuilder, who took over from the legendary Bill Wzorek, sent this when I asked about the fluid he recommends. "The correct oil for Bills and my rebuilds is gear oil 85-140w or as close as you can get. I recommend putting a little sealer on the fill plug when tighten it. I use permatex #2 form a gasket" __________________ -Jeff H Have you thought about supporting the Early Ford V-8 Foundation Museum?

09-03-2018, 11:18 AM	#11
Fred A Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Encino California, near Burbank Posts: 935	Re: '40 Houdaille Shock Fluid? Thanks guys for the tide of numbers and references. After touring the internet the mix of standards for viscosity seem nicely cross referenced. The Jack oil I used is qualitatively called thin or given low ISO and SAE guesses as the relative viscosity is buried in the SDS or specs. Very Tangled Jeff relays a fine quote that is much heavier than expected but well sourced. A bit sorry to abandon the stop leak feature of the Bar's. Off to the parts store for some new juice. Thanks: Fred A