The Ford Barn

Pilotdave · 10-18-2016, 10:10 AM

The shocks mounted on our Tudor look like original Houdaille shocks but are labeled differently than as shown in the JS: the word "Houdaille" is missing, and there's no indication of where the shocks were manufactured. The covers do include the correct patent # and what may be a part #(??). There's no other wording on the covers or backs.

The shocks appear to be quite similar to those used in May-November 1930. Picture is below.

All four shocks offer resistance in both directions and there's no fluid in the outer chambers. Resistance is adjustable.

I'm thinking reproduction shocks from somewhere - but they're not labeled as I've seen in other threads from a search on here. I also recall reading about repros that were not rebuildable and which didn't use fluid in the outer chamber, but I'm not finding that on the Forum, either!

Does anyone know who made them, where they were made or have information about their care and feeding?

JohnLaVoy · 10-18-2016, 10:27 AM

There have been repro shocks done for years. It sounds like these are the MS brand, early ones were a little better than the later ones. If I remember correct you could remove the repro cover and install an original if that is important to you.

Pilotdave · 10-18-2016, 10:50 AM

Thanks, John. I'm not too concerned about the covers - just whether I want to try running these on one of the A's and how to maintain them.

Brian SATX · 10-19-2016, 07:09 AM

Find the US Patent Office on the web and enter the number on the cover. It will tell you a lot of information.

duke36 · 10-19-2016, 11:21 AM

Had some similar repops that came with car; checked filler holes and found empty. Added shock fluid and they leaked slowly for months. Bad mistake , not knowing they were the inner chamber sealed variety. No adjustment noticed. Took them off and added different shocks.
If they have good (adjustable) resistance, as you suggest, may be fine.

Pilotdave · 10-19-2016, 05:34 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Brian - the patent # is that for the original Houdaille shock - interesting to read the patent, though!

duke36 - I'm going to try them on one of our cars and see if they help with the ride. Time will tell!!

BILL WILLIAMSON · 10-20-2016, 12:34 PM

Vermins' shocks are perfectly smooth & beautiful, with ONLY a Ford Logo, just below the filler. They work perfectly & I've never opened the filler plug. Hub caps say, "MADE IN ARGENTINA"--"Maybe" the shocks are from there???
OFTEN, I see cars or sale, with NO SHOCKS, what a SHOCK that would be!! WELL, there goes $1200 bucks!!
I once got a wiring loom, antenna, & an engine gasket set for a '37 Ford-V8-60, made there.
Bill Puzzled

1931 flamingo · 10-20-2016, 05:33 PM

Prior to purchasing my tudor sedan I must have looked at a dozen or more WITHOUT any shocks. Yes 1000-1200 is a lot on top of a purchase price plus tax plus whatever else it may need.
Paul in CT

10-18-2016, 10:27 AM	#2
JohnLaVoy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Rocklin, CA Posts: 779	Re: Reproduction Shock? There have been repro shocks done for years. It sounds like these are the MS brand, early ones were a little better than the later ones. If I remember correct you could remove the repro cover and install an original if that is important to you.

10-18-2016, 10:50 AM	#3
Pilotdave Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Grafton, MA Posts: 1,226	Re: Reproduction Shock? Thanks, John. I'm not too concerned about the covers - just whether I want to try running these on one of the A's and how to maintain them.

10-19-2016, 07:09 AM	#4
Brian SATX Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 821	Re: Reproduction Shock? Find the US Patent Office on the web and enter the number on the cover. It will tell you a lot of information. __________________ Brian SATX

10-19-2016, 11:21 AM	#5
duke36 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 1,414	Re: Reproduction Shock? Had some similar repops that came with car; checked filler holes and found empty. Added shock fluid and they leaked slowly for months. Bad mistake , not knowing they were the inner chamber sealed variety. No adjustment noticed. Took them off and added different shocks. If they have good (adjustable) resistance, as you suggest, may be fine.

10-19-2016, 05:34 PM	#6
Pilotdave Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Grafton, MA Posts: 1,226	Re: Reproduction Shock? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Brian - the patent # is that for the original Houdaille shock - interesting to read the patent, though! duke36 - I'm going to try them on one of our cars and see if they help with the ride. Time will tell!!

10-20-2016, 12:34 PM	#7
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Reproduction Shock? Vermins' shocks are perfectly smooth & beautiful, with ONLY a Ford Logo, just below the filler. They work perfectly & I've never opened the filler plug. Hub caps say, "MADE IN ARGENTINA"--"Maybe" the shocks are from there??? OFTEN, I see cars or sale, with NO SHOCKS, what a SHOCK that would be!! WELL, there goes $1200 bucks!! I once got a wiring loom, antenna, & an engine gasket set for a '37 Ford-V8-60, made there. Bill Puzzled __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF" Last edited by BILL WILLIAMSON; 10-20-2016 at 01:05 PM.

10-20-2016, 05:33 PM	#8
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: Reproduction Shock? Prior to purchasing my tudor sedan I must have looked at a dozen or more WITHOUT any shocks. Yes 1000-1200 is a lot on top of a purchase price plus tax plus whatever else it may need. Paul in CT