Model A Shock

[Orca62]

Hi I have a Model A Ford shock. Had it since the 1980's so assume it is a factory unit and now have a use for it. I soaked it in warm Molassas for 2 weeks and pulled it out today. I tightened the body in my vise and used a Pipe wrench to loosen up the cover. It moves but the damn cover will not come off! Turned it at least 10 times to the left. There is no locking ring on the bottom and cannot see threads! On top the cover says Houdaille suspension and patent applied for. No markings on the bottom except a stamped #5 as best I can tell at this point. Any ideas what is going on?? Thanks.

[Mister Moose]

And here I thought this was going to be about the $15,000 paint quote mentioned in another thread...

[Oldbluoval]

Several comments
Those have fine threads, is the cover stripped?
Pipe wrench not good, use a good strap wrench
if not stripped you may have to use some heat on the cover
Drain and leave plug out

[700rpm]

Shocks are notoriously hard to disassemble. Your experience is normal. I’ve heard of guys bolting their workbench to the floor and the wall, bolting the shock to the bench, using a 6’ bar and a chain strap grip and still unable to open it.

[GRutter]

Originally Posted by Orca62

There is no locking ring on the bottom and cannot see threads! On top the cover says Houdaille suspension and patent applied for. No markings on the bottom except a stamped #5 as best I can tell at this point. Any ideas what is going on?? Thanks.

Please attach a picture.

From your description, this may not be a Model A shock.
I'm not aware of ANY original shock that had "Patent Applied For" stamped on the cover.

And there is no lock ring, which could be possible if it was disassembled sometime in it's history and reassembled without it, but then I would think you would see the bottom threads where the lock ring is normally positioned.

Something doesn't sound quite right.

[Oldbluoval]

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GR good points. It may not be Model A. Laters were crimped
Oca can you post some pics including side views

[Orca62]

Yes I will. The cover was not that stuck. It just started turning when I put the wrench on it so I did not goof anything up! It looks exactly the same as all the Model A shocks I see on line. I will take a few shots and post them in the morning. I read where there was supposed to be a locking ring but i wire brushed the bottom and the bottom of the cover looks tapered on the end! O.K. Have another one soaking in the Molasses and will pull it also in the morning to see what it's bottom looks like. Thank you!

[Orca62]

O.K. Guess I am OCD or covid rammy! Went down and took a few shots of the 1st shock.

[700rpm]

I’m gonna go with “not a Model A shock”. The raised letters tell the tale. The RG&JS say all covers were stamped HOUDAILLE HYDRAULIC SUSPENSION

[GRutter]

Your base has an 8-Pie design, definitely not Model A.
Also the tapered bottom edge of the cover with no lock ring.
My guess would be 32 Model B - but I'll have to defer to the experts there.
Yours look like these: https://www.applehydraulicsonline.co...ur-ford-shocks

[Oldbluoval]

Not a model a for sure
Do a search on V8 for Andy Fallandes (?) for V8 info
V8s can be tough to get apart and restore

[Orca62]

O.K. Well that settles that! The shocks were on a cut off chassis that held a Cement mixer. I bought it with the front axle and the shocks on it. Saved the mixer and front axle with shocks and scrapped the rest in the 1980's. I assume a special puller is needed to get the caps off. If this is not an option off to scrap I guess. Was hoping to use them on our sprint car project. I have 2 post war rear Ford shocks that will need to be restored. Next!! Thanks for your help on this. Appreciate it.

[HD Rider]

Don't scrap them.
PM me and we'll work something out. I'm working on a V8 project now.

[jw hash]

that is a 32 shock, it is to tall to put on a Model A. people do put them on Model A`s but most of the time it bends the brake rods.

[rotorwrench]

There were the original shocks and then there were replacements all made for Ford. Who-Die made replacements for some time and a lot of parts references call out the "B" part number for all 1928 thru 32 ford cars & commercials. This was common in the way Ford did things. There are several variations of these shocks over the years of production.

There are also reproductions that were made many years after production was ceased. The ones with "Chicago" on them were reproductions. The Stipe Machine shocks are the only ones that are better than the originals. The other reproductions generally have some problems due to poor manufacturing but I don't know about all of them. There may be some that work OK.

[700rpm]

Ford also made some of the shocks for the Model A after 1930.

[Kurt in NJ]

35-36 had covers crimped on, perhaps they are that era replacement--- that crimp has to be cut off then the cover is removed , under it is a removable cover over the innards

[Gene F]

The Stipe ones, or the fluid filled ones the late Rainmaker Ron sold are the way to go.