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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / Upgrading '36 suspension

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Discussion Topic: Upgrading '36 suspension

ole_Bill

01-14-2011 @ 3:37 PM

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I'm getting tired of bouncing around on even smooth roads and leaning to the outside of every curve. Is there a book somewhere explaining various suspension upgrades and how to do them on my '36 sedan?

ford38v8

01-14-2011 @ 5:04 PM

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Bill, Your description of bouncing tells me that you actually have no live suspension at all, and your tires are supplying the bounce. Knee action shock absorbers become frozen, allowing no spring action. The leaning is also a symptom of bad shock absorber action.

houdalle shocks can be rebuilt, but are generally left to those who have the specialized tools to do so. One such rebuilder is Apple Hydraulics:

http://www.applehydraulics.com/

Alan

1933

01-14-2011 @ 5:11 PM

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The book I use is Ford V8 Cars & Trucks by Page. It seems to me you either have weak or broken springs and possibly worn or missing shock absorbers. Check to see if you have the correct springs by counting the leaves. Check the shocks by disconnecting them and check if the resistance is good. If you have proper springs and correct working shocks your bouncing will stop.

MOXIE

01-14-2011 @ 6:35 PM

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I thougt the old shocks were more for looks than need until I had mine rebuilt. What a big difference they made in the ride. I can go accross a speed bump without bouncing up and down.

flatheadfan

01-15-2011 @ 3:08 AM

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I had my original '35 shocks rebuilt by Apple Hydraulics ($$$) and they were "better" but still left a lot to be desired.

A short time later I was wandering around at a small time swap meet and came across a set of four Delco-Lovejoy lever action shocks. They looked interesting and the price was reasonable so I figured they might be worth a try, after all no drilling or modifications would be needed to install.

To make a long story short they are one of the best improvements I ever made to the car. The ride improvement was phenomenal and construction of the shock is basically bullet-proof. Definitely, worth considering if you are not seeking a 100 point show-piece and plan on driving the car.

Tom

01-16-2011 @ 8:40 AM

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I would also bet your shocks need rebuilding. There is a shock rebulder located in Florence, MA. His name is Bill Wzorek. He was trained by Louis Trinque and took over Louis' business. He did a great job on a set of original '35 shocks for me and I'm planning to have a second set done. His contact info is wpwz@comcast.net / 1-413-586-5324. You should also check to make sure your springs are in good condition and have no broken leaves. Check shackle bushings as well. I also put radial tires on my cars and that made a huge difference in ride and handling.

JM

This message was edited by JM on 1-16-11 @ 8:44 AM

wmsteed

01-17-2011 @ 9:10 AM

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The original suspension on the EFV-8's left a lot to be desired. The system was fine for normal driving of the period, however, when the roads and speed improved, the old buggy springs feel short.
According to the EFV-8 Club '35-36 Ford book, all '35-36 Fords used the double action non-adjustable Houdaille shocks.
At some point in time during the '36 model run, Ford introduced an adjustable double action Houdaille shock.
My car was built in September of '36, it was originally equipped with the adjustable Houdaille's. The rear shocks on my car are mounted inside of the frame like all '34-36's, not on the outside of the frame as referenced in the EFV-8 book.
I like many people converted my front shocks to tube type because they work better, I also added a panhard bar (sway-bar) and a roll stablizer bar like the '40 and later cars have.
On the rear I added a panhard bar, tube shocks and left the Houdaille's hooked up.
I have driven my car in excess of 100 mph many times and have never felt unsafe.
There are two company's that I know of that rebuild lever action shocks, Apple in the Eastern US and Four-Way in Anahiem, CA

Bill
36 5 win delx cpe

This message was edited by wmsteed on 1-17-11 @ 9:12 AM

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