I've got a bone stock, restored '36 Ford Phaeton. The stock Houdaille shocks are in need of rebuild or replacement. Sending out for rebuilding is pricey. Alternative might be converting to tube shocks and sway bars to improve ride and stability. Has anyone done this? I'd prefer a bolt-on solution so as not to disrupt the integrity of the stock frame. It looks like Drake, Ch***is Engineering, etc. offer a bolt-on solution for the front. Anyone done this?? How about the rear? With the stock '36 rear axle/backing plates (juice brakes BTW), it doesn't appear a bolt-on rear shock set up is feasible. Anyone found a good solution to adapt rear tubes shocks to the stock axle set up? Ultimately, has anyone found the ride improved after installing tube shocks?? How about sway bars?? Thanks!
You own that beautiful restored car, and rebuilt origonal shocks are too pricey?? Sway bars? Rebuild the stock shocks and enjoy the ride like it was back when new...JMO. If you must add tube shocks, yes they could be added, they make a bolt on mount for the bottom of the perch bolts. They make a lower shock bracket that bolts on to two of the rear backing plate bolts also. As far as the top mounts front and rear, I think some holes may have to be drilled. As far as the sway bars, it sounds like you have found some suppliers...good luck.
I used Pete and Jakes shocks on my '36, and have them on my '39. The front is bolt on but the rear lower brkt. is weld on. Haven't tried sway bars on any of my old Fords.
Houdaille made a set of tube shock rear mounts for your car back in the day. I had a real nice set but let them go a short while back. I'll try and track down the photos.
Thanks 117harv. I haven't heard of any rebuilder of the Houdaille's that doesn't send them back rebuilt but leaking. Wondering who you had in mind when speaking of the rear shock mounts?? I've heard that a bolt-on may not exist for the '36 rear as the rear radius rods bolting to the backing plates impedes a way to mount a bracket for the shocks. If you know of someone, let me know! Thanks!
Reproduction ford 47-48 rear shock mounts here is a thread with info on repro rear mounts, and a couple pics showing what they look like.
I just showed you. Click the link. You could make these easily enough. The Part Numbers are 14658- R, 14659- L. I'm pretty sure Ford also made some exactly like it.
will the later 40 sway bar work on the 36? asking becuase i just don't know--although i have one in the shop and see them at swap meets periodically.
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