| wmsteed | -- 12-24-2009 @ 11:11 AM |
|
During a resent trip to Idaho I came upon a '36 Ford that had the same front shock conversion as my coupe. I always thought the conversion was very simple, yet it works very well. Bill 36 5 win delx cpe
|
|
| parrish | -- 12-24-2009 @ 4:39 PM |
|
Bill: my 39 looks to have the same set up on the front(picture attached). Its been on since 1960 or earlier. Glad to hear that it works well. so I'll probably go with it. I posted a forum question about my rear shock conversion from 1960 and saw your reply. Isn't that how the 46-48 Ford rear shocks mounted?
|
|
| supereal | -- 12-25-2009 @ 8:10 AM |
|
The '46 had lever shocks, which were changed to tube shocks in mid to late '47. The front inner fenders were modified to provide clearance. My '47 has tube shocks, with the rear top attached to a clamp-on mount on the cross member. The Club's excellent '41-'48 book has several pages on correct shocks.
|
|
| wmsteed | -- 12-25-2009 @ 10:51 AM |
|
The "short mount" front shock conversion for the '35-36 and possibly '37-38, uses a much shorter shock than the later '41-48 FORDS. The part number for this short shock is Monroe #KB18167. The shock is 11-1/2" center of eye to eye, fully extended. The shock is 8-7/8" center of eye to eye, fully collapsed. The shock requires a special lower tapered mounting pin that attaches to the original lever shock mount on the top of the axle. Super is correct that all of the original EV8's prior to 47 had lever shocks, both front and rear. Many people converted their shocks because they felt the tube type shocks were better. I always thought the angle mounted rear tube shocks worked better than the lever shocks. The tube shocks tend to reduce body roll and sway. Parrish's observation about the rear shock setup in the pic I posted is correct, it is a '46-48 Ford/Merc Columbia complete with shocks and sway bar under my '36 Ford. Bill 36 5 win delx cpe
|
|
| 35ford | -- 12-26-2009 @ 2:03 PM |
|
wmsteed, I have a pair of the shock mounts for tube shocks. Are there different lenghts/ heights for them? I am only into 35's at this point. Thanks for any info as I never new what to use for shocks , only have brackets. Bruce
|
|
| trjford8 | -- 12-27-2009 @ 7:44 AM |
|
Bruce, If you have both the top and bottom mounts here is a suggestion; with the weight of the car on the axle (ride height) measure the center to center distance between the top mount stud and the bottom mount stud. For example, if the distance is 12 inches, then you will need a shock that has a compressed length of about 9 inches and an extended length of about 15 inches. I use the rule of thumb that you need about 3 inches in each direction from "ride height". Now I assume that your shocks use the "loop" end style mounting with the rubber bushing.Armed with the ride height measurement,the compressed and extended lengths, and the mounting ends head to your local auto parts store. Try Napa Auto Parts or an independant parts dealer. I avoid chain stores as most sales reps cannot do anything unless you can give them the year of the car. If you tell them it's a 1935 you've already lost them. Good stores with good sales reps can look up the shocks by using the information you give them.If you don't have any luck then come back to this forum and give me the infomation. I have some old shock books and may be able to help.
|
|
| wmsteed | -- 12-27-2009 @ 8:03 AM |
|
Bruce.... I would say that the amount of travel for a front shock conversion on a '35-36 Ford is very minimal, therefore there is only one shock length you can use. The info that trjford posted about how to arrive at an overall shock length is good, however, if you already have the shock size and part number as shown in my earlier posting, then all the measuring is unnecessary. The Monroe number I listed is for the shocks that have been on my car for many years.. Currently I am redoing all of the bushings, shackles etc., on the front of my '36, while I am at it I am going to replace my shocks. When I get a new part number for the Monroe's on my car I will post same to the forum. Bill 36 5 win delx cpe
|
|
| RSS | -- 12-27-2009 @ 9:59 AM |
|
I have the same type of shock kit as pictured I bought for a 1935 ford, the part number on the used monroe shocks are K11409, the center of eyes retracted are 8-3/4 inches, and extended are 12-3/4 inches. Randy
|
|
| trjford8 | -- 12-27-2009 @ 7:04 PM |
|
Bill, You probably have the correct shocks, but I have found in the past that not all aftermarket shock brackets are created equal. Some are longer than others and that's why I tell everyone to take their measurements.I have three sets of aftermarket brackets here for the 35-40 Fords and they are all different lengths. The condition of the front spring (sagging spring or one that has been re-arched) also affects the length of the shock. This message was edited by trjford8 on 12-27-09 @ 7:07 PM
|
|
| parrish | -- 12-27-2009 @ 7:33 PM |
|
The shock Randy notes sounds like it might work well for me. The length between the upper mount pictured early in this post and the lower mount (picture attached) is 11 inches. I believe the lower is original from the lever days, so will I need that special lower tapered mounting pin Bill mentioned?
|
|
| wmsteed | -- 12-28-2009 @ 9:11 AM |
|
As a result of the posting by RSS, I revisited the front shocks for my '36.... Seems I made a mistake either in writing down, and/or typing the measurements. My Monroe's are part #KB18167, measuring 8-3/4" collapsed and 13" fully extended. I would venture the guess that the measurements could vary +/- 1/4" from shock to shock. Bill 36 5 win delx cpe
|
|
| EFV-8 Club Forum : | https://www.earlyfordv8.org/forum |
| Topic: | https://www.earlyfordv8.org/forum/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=18&Topic=499 |