The Ford Barn

Lincolnville · 11-23-2023, 07:18 PM

Is this one of the thermostatically controlled shocks? It is 2 1/2" tall as measured from bottom of the base to the top of the stamped cover. The total height is 3 1/2" and the back of the base has a series of recesses radiating from the center.

However, the patent numbers 1777129 & 1781127 were issued on 9/30/30 and 11/11/1930 respectively. And the ear has been stamped letters, NC. Both of which are causing me to think otherwise.

petehoovie · 11-23-2023, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lincolnville

Is this one of the thermostatically controlled shocks? It is 2 1/2" tall as measured from bottom of the base to the top of the stamped cover. The total height is 3 1/2" and the back of the base has a series of recesses radiating from the center.

However, the patent numbers 1777129 & 1781127 were issued on 9/30/193 and 11/11/193 respectively. And the ear has been stamped letters, NC. Both of which are causing me to think otherwise.

petehoovie · 11-23-2023, 08:18 PM

Do you mean to say 'friction' shocks?...

1932 Ford Houdaille friction shock

DavidG · 11-23-2023, 08:55 PM

It's the real thing.

GB SISSON · 11-24-2023, 08:48 AM

I know I have seen a couple of those in boxes of parts stashed around here. Mine had the look of NOS. Had no idea they were shocks til 5 minutes ago. Can I assume they'd make some good trading stock?

cas3 · 11-24-2023, 09:39 AM

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Yes, some years are very hard to find. Ideally, they would still be free to move and not stuck.

Terry,OH · 11-24-2023, 09:45 AM

Neither of the shocks above appear to be friction shocks. Original Ford shocks made by Houdaille are all hydraulic. Early shocks (pre 32) had to be readjusted often with temperature swings. The therostatic shock eliminated some of the need for re-adjustment. Dave covers the 32 shocks in chapter 10 of his restoration book. The stamping of the letters A, B or C on the shock, indicated the factory adjusted resistance of the shock.

DavidG · 11-24-2023, 10:28 AM

The shock in Pete's photo in #3 above appears to be a late Model A manually-adjustable shock, although it is hard to tell given that it is missing the ring between the cover and the base and the view of base doesn't lend itself to judging the height of the base.

The part number prefixes of the automatically-adjustable '32 shocks was 18 as it was originally released for use on V8 equipped chassis only. There was a short-lived B prefix shock released for four-cylinder-equipped passenger car and commercial chassis that was manually adjustable as shown in the photo below. It is distinguished from a late Model A shock by its 1/4" thicker base and by the recesses on the back like the 18-prefix shock. Shortly after Job #1, the decision was made to use only the 18-prefix shock on all 106" wheelbase chassis and the existing inventory of B-prefix shocks was used up on commercial chassis. Needless to say, finding rebuildable B-prefix shocks is a real challenge.

petehoovie · 11-24-2023, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidG

The shock in Pete's photo in #3 above appears to be a late Model A manually-adjustable shock, although it is hard to tell given that it is missing the ring between the cover and the base and the view of base doesn't lend itself to judging the height of the base.

The part number prefixes of the automatically-adjustable '32 shocks was 18 as it was originally released for use on V8 equipped chassis only. There was a short-lived B prefix shock released for four-cylinder-equipped passenger car and commercial chassis that was manually adjustable as shown in the photo below. It is distinguished from a late Model A shock by its 1/4" thicker base and by the recesses on the back like the 18-prefix shock. Shortly after Job #1, the decision was made to use only the 18-prefix shock on all 106" wheelbase chassis and the existing inventory of B-prefix shocks was used up on commercial chassis. Needless to say, finding rebuildable B-prefix shocks is a real challenge.

DavidG · 11-24-2023, 01:13 PM

Pete,

Thanks. Notice the 1/4" difference in the thickness of the cast bases of the shocks in your photo and my photo.

petehoovie · 11-24-2023, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidG

Pete,

Thanks. Notice the 1/4" difference in the thickness of the cast bases of the shocks in your photo and my photo.

Yes, as you stated...

Lincolnville · 11-24-2023, 03:00 PM

I believe this the ring you are referencing.

petehoovie · 11-24-2023, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lincolnville

I believe this the ring you are referencing.

DavidG · 11-24-2023, 06:34 PM

Yes, and the extra 1/4" of casting between the 'wings' and the threads shows up well in your photo.

11-23-2023, 08:55 PM	#4
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,102	Re: '32 thermostatically controlled shocks It's the real thing.

11-24-2023, 08:48 AM	#5
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 4,942	Re: '32 thermostatically controlled shocks I know I have seen a couple of those in boxes of parts stashed around here. Mine had the look of NOS. Had no idea they were shocks til 5 minutes ago. Can I assume they'd make some good trading stock? __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1947 Tonner Pickup (red) mostly stock with exception of a cummins 6at turbo diesel, 1946 Tonner Pickup (green) with 226 cu in 6 cyl flathead, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, completely encased in 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. Ok, cornbinder rear fenders..... 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)

11-24-2023, 09:39 AM	#6
cas3 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: sw minnesota Posts: 4,578	Re: '32 thermostatically controlled shocks Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Yes, some years are very hard to find. Ideally, they would still be free to move and not stuck.

11-24-2023, 09:45 AM	#7
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,751	Re: '32 thermostatically controlled shocks Neither of the shocks above appear to be friction shocks. Original Ford shocks made by Houdaille are all hydraulic. Early shocks (pre 32) had to be readjusted often with temperature swings. The therostatic shock eliminated some of the need for re-adjustment. Dave covers the 32 shocks in chapter 10 of his restoration book. The stamping of the letters A, B or C on the shock, indicated the factory adjusted resistance of the shock.

11-24-2023, 01:13 PM	#10
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,102	Re: '32 thermostatically controlled shocks Pete, Thanks. Notice the 1/4" difference in the thickness of the cast bases of the shocks in your photo and my photo.

11-23-2023, 08:18 PM	#3
petehoovie Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 8,156	Re: '32 thermostatically controlled shocks Do you mean to say 'friction' shocks?... 1932 Ford Houdaille friction shock __________________ The only thing nice about being imperfect is the joy it brings to others.... *"Silver rings, your butt! Them's washers!"* "We shot our way out of that town for a dollar's worth of steel holes!" - from 'The Wild Bunch' - 1969 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NReUd2_0u0

11-24-2023, 06:34 PM	#14
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,102	Re: '32 thermostatically controlled shocks Yes, and the extra 1/4" of casting between the 'wings' and the threads shows up well in your photo.