Well, I’m Shocked

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At least half-way: two of the four long-awaited Houdailles showed up on my doorstep today, courtesy of the US Postal Service.

One of them had leaked a few drops into the packing paper but hopefully when mounted in the correct position it will be OK. Gotta get some black spray paint on them and back on the car they go.

Sure could have used them in St. Louis.

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Hi Randy, that’s great news !

For now, you’re double-shocked. Hopefully soon to be quadruple-shocked.

Greg Long

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Randy,

The fluid to refresh them is a mixture of 10-percent Isopropyl alcohol and 90-percent glycerin.

You can buy both at a Pharmacy.

Peter

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Peter, that’s the OEM solution for Houdailles (not for Delco Lovejoys). When shocks are rebuilt, they are usually converted to jack oil or motorcycle fork oil;, with modern seals to match.

If I don’t know whether a shock has been rebuilt, I’ll use the rather benign glycerine-alcohol mixture.

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George,

I expect that they were not rebuilt, but who knows?

Mine are filled with the glycerine and alcohol (cheap booze!) and function well.

The round units are readily available on eBay, but obtaining the correct arms, links and fittings can be difficult.

I believe that for the fitting, I used Model A Ford parts from Mac’s or LeBarron Bonney.

Karl Krouch sells, or did sell, the leather boots for wrapping the links and fittings.

Thank you for your input.

What is the name of the Houdaille rebuilder? Apple something?

Peter

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Apple Hydraulics

1610 Middle Road

Calverton, NY 11933

Email to:[email protected]

If you’re on the East Coast.

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Check out the Parts and Service Directory for all THREE rebuilders.

I recollect that they change the guts of the Houdaille, but that is a vague recollection.

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I had one set of Houdaille shocks done at Four Points in Santa Ana.

The job was done well but they are very pricey.

I was going to try and have the other set done in Oregon.

Not sure what all they did to my shocks but when I picked them up the guy said all they did were seals, said the inside was fine.

Asked me where I found them since they looked like they had very, very low miles on them.

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I believe that the guts of the Houdaille shocks are essentially seals and valve / valves.

The valve opening is controlled by the external adjuster, that is, if it did not rust solid or break off.

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The Santa Ana firm had mine…still has two.

Fluid continues to leak from one of them.

I have the leather boots I got from Karl. I am transferring the metal rings from my old boots to the new ones. They are very nice.

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