Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 04-01-2016, 11:32 AM   #1
charlesea
Senior Member
 
charlesea's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Montgomery, Al.
Posts: 640
Default Original shocks

We have a chassis donated to an auto tech school & they are in the process of restoring it to give the students a lesson on the Model A Ford.
It came with 4 shocks on it and 3 hooked up the shock arm correct. The 4th shock appears to be for the opposite side.
The question is: Can we cut a slot in the shock shaft to use it? Will the shock operate as it should?
I realize the fluid filler would be on the bottom.
Thanks
charlesea is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2016, 11:47 AM   #2
Kurt in NJ
Senior Member
 
Kurt in NJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: on the Littlefield
Posts: 6,140
Default Re: Original shocks

It's not that easy , in a properly working shock the resistance is different in each direction--- do they have a copy of the service bulletins , it has a several page article about testing and rebuilding shocks
Kurt in NJ is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 04-01-2016, 12:32 PM   #3
Kevin in NJ
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: South East NJ
Posts: 3,398
Default Re: Original shocks

First question, do they turn?

Second, is there any lateral play on the shaft?
If there is lateral play on the shaft then they are decorative without extensive work.

The internal tolerances on the A shock were quite close. Even a small amout of wear will cause them to not work properly or require a much heavier oil.

The direction of rotation is based on an internal set of passages. They are designed to be hard in one direction and a somewhat softer in the other direction.
When assembled properly and the adjusting screw all the way in the original shaft should be very hard to turn by hand.

FWIW, odds very good are the shocks you have are bad. At the very least they need to come apart to clear the check balls and such. If you feel you want to take them apart I can give you some ideas on how to do it. You will need a large socket and a 3/4" impact.
Kevin in NJ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2016, 04:16 PM   #4
charlesea
Senior Member
 
charlesea's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Montgomery, Al.
Posts: 640
Default Re: Original shocks

Thanks for the replies. I did not have my hopes up so I can see where the suggestion would not work. T I thought the shock movement was different each way.
Charles
charlesea is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2016, 10:48 PM   #5
Mike V. Florida
Senior Member
 
Mike V. Florida's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: South Florida
Posts: 14,054
Send a message via AIM to Mike V. Florida
Default Re: Original shocks

Quote:
Originally Posted by charlesea View Post
The question is: Can we cut a slot in the shock shaft to use it? Will the shock operate as it should?
I realize the fluid filler would be on the bottom.
Thanks
Assuming they are working correctly in the first place, the shocks were not 50-50. There was more resistance in one direction than the other. This would be opposite from stock. Don't do it.
__________________
What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

Last edited by Mike V. Florida; 04-02-2016 at 10:39 PM. Reason: spelling, added
Mike V. Florida is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2016, 09:49 PM   #6
Terry Longest
Member
 
Terry Longest's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Opelika, AL
Posts: 74
Default Re: Original shocks

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Do it correctly. They need to not cut corners - literally or figuratively.
Terry Longest is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:39 PM.