MG shocks on model As

I fitted MG shock absorbers to the rear of my 1929 Roadster. I think they came off an MG B, and I'll ask my friend who I got them from to check on this. The great thing was that the shock absorber mount holes matched the Ford chassis bolt holes exactly. I used the after-market 'dog-bone' connectors. I tried to use them for the front but if I remember, the elongated, rectangular body of the MG unit came very close to fouling the steering arm and might crack it if you hit a big pot hole etc. If you want, I probably have some photos that I can post.
 
I am very interested in this! In another posting/thread, Brent Terry suggested using MG shocks. This would solve some problems that I'm mulling over in my mind about my reluctance to drill extra holes in the frame. Please post those pics ASAP Thanks in Advance
Terry




Richard Redmond said:
I fitted MG shock absorbers to the rear of my 1929 Roadster. I think they came off an MG B, and I'll ask my friend who I got them from to check on this. The great thing was that the shock absorber mount holes matched the Ford chassis bolt holes exactly. I used the after-market 'dog-bone' connectors. I tried to use them for the front but if I remember, the elongated, rectangular body of the MG unit came very close to fouling the steering arm and might crack it if you hit a big pot hole etc. If you want, I probably have some photos that I can post.
Click to expand...
 
I have had several MGBs, they were expensive then, out of curiousity I googled it and mostly tube shock conversions come up --1 e-bay listing as rebuilt at 70+30 core ---when looking at used ones feel for free play, they use 2 pistons with little connecting rods and can get "free play", this is another modification using parts that are becoming rare and harder to find ---as a plus the valving can be changed without total diss --on the car it just comes out
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MG-MGB-REAR...Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item3a6a1549f1 -this link shows the insides too.

the rear ones lasted good, the fronts went bad often
 
Kurt in NJ said:
I have had several MGBs, they were expensive then, out of curiousity I googled it and mostly tube shock conversions come up --1 e-bay listing as rebuilt at 70+30 core ---when looking at used ones feel for free play, they use 2 pistons with little connecting rods and can get "free play", this is another modification using parts that are becoming rare and harder to find ---as a plus the valving can be changed without total diss --on the car it just comes out
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MG-MGB-REAR...Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item3a6a1549f1 -this link shows the insides too.

the rear ones lasted good, the fronts went bad often
Click to expand...

The front shocks on an MGB are the upper control arm of the suspension, so they are not part of this discussion. The rears are available brand new from Moss Motors, or Victoria British for $170 each. Two lefts an two rights would be needed, and installed on opposite corners, as model A shocks are.
 
Again, the link above that Kevin gave is just one of many but assume you will have about $500.00 by the time the core charge, the freight, the Spring Perch Balls, 'et al. are paid for. Like I eluded to in my other post, back when the Stipe repro shocks were not available and the purchase price for these was a little cheaper, these were a great option for someone who just wanted to "tour" with their car. Now I am of the opinion that if someone is going to spend the money & time to use these (on anything other than a speedster), then adding another $500 to the mix to purchase Bill's new shocks is probably the better way to go.

.
 
I've used a set of MGB rear shocks on the rear of my Fordor - but they wouldn't fit the front without fouling the trackrod. I use a set of '39 shocks up front.
 
I had a '67 MGB when I was in college. I "fixed" the worn out shocks on the "Green Machine" by filling them with Andy Granatelli syrup. When I reinstalled them, the car rode like a buckboard. But on a new exit ramp it cornered like it was on rails. I remember it was such fun that I took all four corners of a new cloverleaf interchange on the still-under construction I-57 -- twice -- because I had time and it was such a hoot.
Now I am a Robert Paul fan and have no need to install Brittish stuff on an American icon -- not that I haven't tweaked Henry's product with some "improvements."
 
Why spend $170 a peice for mg shocks when original a's are $145. Even a modern tube shock kit is $325 for the complete car
 
I asked this question in another thread about shocks and never got a response, so I'll try again. Where are Bill Stipe's products available from?
 
This link takes you to Bill's website. http://specialtymotorcams.com/index.html He doesn't have information about the shocks on the site, but it does have contact information. Give him a call, he is a heck of nice guy and a hell of a machinist.

Snyder's also sells what they call a premium shock. I'm not sure, but they maybe made by Bill. You could call Snyder's and ask.

I saw an Ad by Bill somewhere, but can't find it now.
Jon
 
jkeesey said:
Why spend $170 a peice for mg shocks when original a's are $145. Even a modern tube shock kit is $325 for the complete car
Click to expand...

I think that is a valid question that I can only answer by saying you really need to experience the differences first-hand to know why. My experiences have been that modern tube shocks do not ride well at all AND they are an eyesore to me when I view a Model A from any distance. Kinda like rubber stemmed tubes. ;)

If you have ever had original ones rebuilt and had those to compare to Bill Stipe new shocks, you come to realize that rebuilt originals generally do not operate as they were originally intended. Sure, they are better than nothing, ...and probably better than tube shocks, but adjustability & functionability of the Armstrong shocks (which were also used on heavier Jags too) makes/made them attractive for me to use for awhile since there really wasn't other suitable options available to me at the time.

.

BTW, lets chase a rabbit here. If an original shock is to be rebuilt, almost every one I have disassembled has had a worn stator inside. Generally the housing is worn somewhat too however in the past I have tried welding the ends and machining in a lathe to tighten the clearance up somewhat so the oil (fluid) would not bypass in the worn areas. To my knowledge, no one who is commercially rebuilding original units for under $200 is doing all of the welding & remachining necessary to bring each of the internal pieces back within factory specifications. Therefore, are they really rebuilt, ...or just repaired?

.
 
Last edited:
Hi Guys,
for anyone that wants to contact me here is my information.
Stipe Machine Company
N5718 County Road M
Plymouth WI 53073
920-467-2895

I'm not sure I can add to what Brent has already said hear about my shocks but I have been down the road with rebuilt shocks and poorly make reproduction shocks and after wasting better than 2 years to find out they are not working properly I decided to started to Mfg. new ones making them as perfect or even better then to original ones.
I order to do this would require some very accurate and difficult machining and I would have to do it in a very timely manner. I had to first sit down and redesign how I would design and manufacture this shock the most efficient and economical way. This would also require a machine capable of 5 axis and be able to transfer the part to work on the back side without losing the indexing position from the front to back and machine the part complete. In other words done in one.
Such a machine would end up costing over $500,000.000 dollars plus tooling this meant unimaginable payments and an extremely risky endeavor financially.
Unfortunately I gambled and lost after almost 3 years!
As of January 6 of 2012 I will no longer be able to manufacture high quality shock absorbers for the Model A and B fords along with many other fine products Stipe Machine has made for many years. I had to sell this machine at a loss to keep from possibly losing my business or worse everything. I have worked hard for the last 40 years! Most of the Model A and T catalog suppliers find it necessary to contract there parts overseas to make more profit. This hurt me hard because the orders I did yesterday for them are not reordered today because they decided the profit margin was too small or the customer would not want to pay the cost for a more expensive quality USA made product.
I am very proud of the fact that I design and build all of my parts and product in the USA and I understand that all of us have to make that decision whether the USA parts and products are worth the cost or will the cheaper less expensive part do the job. I have bought import tooling for my shop also if I feel this is a onetime job that odd tap that will only be used once and that customer may never order again I make the decision to buy cheap and yes this has turned around and bit me from time to time.
I have a lot on my plate right now working 12 to 14 hours trying to finish jobs before January 6 2012 that can only be run on this machine and once gone some these parts will never be made again.
Also my father is approaching 96 years old and his health is failing very fast we are not sure if he will make it until Christmas or even through this week end, plus my mother who is 89 fell in the driveway this last Friday dislocating her wrist and had to be taken to the hospital for a cast. She was my dad’s care giver and now everything has change in the blink of an eye.
Life can twist and turn so fast it makes you head spin.
Well enough said I sure hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving and great holidays to come.
Thanks for all your support and orders the past years.
Bill Stipe
 

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29 Red Rocket said:
As of January 6 of 2012 I will no longer be able to manufacture high quality shock absorbers for the Model A and B fords along with many other fine products Stipe Machine has made for many years. Bill Stipe
Click to expand...

CRAP!! I was saving up money for a set, unfortunatly I found that the amount I could save was very small and was looking forward to many years of these shocks being available.
 
Bill, We don't know eachother, but as one machinest to another, I'm hearing this story too many times lately. I was recently introduced to Chadd Watts, the owner of Watts and Campbell Machinery Co , in Newark NJ. Watts and Campbell was founded in 1854 and made things for the Govt in the Civil War. Remarkably, The produced their own Boring mills. One made in 1874 has a 30 FT capacity, an 8FT swing lathe, A Churchill Cyl. Grinder at least 15' B,C, a couple of large horiz, Boring mills. W&C built a lot of steam engines and has parts and patterns for parts on hand. As we went through the pattern room, I eye counted over a thousand patterns for gears, flywheels, you name it. Chadd wants to GIVE it all away for a museum. And he's having no luck. Even the Smithsonian is reluctant. They've wrecked our once proud machine tool industry with "Free Trade"
Terry





29 Red Rocket said:
Hi Guys,
for anyone that wants to contact me here is my information.
Stipe Machine Company
N5718 County Road M
Plymouth WI 53073
920-467-2895

I'm not sure I can add to what Brent has already said hear about my shocks but I have been down the road with rebuilt shocks and poorly make reproduction shocks and after wasting better than 2 years to find out they are not working properly I decided to started to Mfg. new ones making them as perfect or even better then to original ones.
I order to do this would require some very accurate and difficult machining and I would have to do it in a very timely manner. I had to first sit down and redesign how I would design and manufacture this shock the most efficient and economical way. This would also require a machine capable of 5 axis and be able to transfer the part to work on the back side without losing the indexing position from the front to back and machine the part complete. In other words done in one.
Such a machine would end up costing over $500,000.000 dollars plus tooling this meant unimaginable payments and an extremely risky endeavor financially.
Unfortunately I gambled and lost after almost 3 years!
As of January 6 of 2012 I will no longer be able to manufacture high quality shock absorbers for the Model A and B fords along with many other fine products Stipe Machine has made for many years. I had to sell this machine at a loss to keep from possibly losing my business or worse everything. I have worked hard for the last 40 years! Most of the Model A and T catalog suppliers find it necessary to contract there parts overseas to make more profit. This hurt me hard because the orders I did yesterday for them are not reordered today because they decided the profit margin was too small or the customer would not want to pay the cost for a more expensive quality USA made product.
I am very proud of the fact that I design and build all of my parts and product in the USA and I understand that all of us have to make that decision whether the USA parts and products are worth the cost or will the cheaper less expensive part do the job. I have bought import tooling for my shop also if I feel this is a onetime job that odd tap that will only be used once and that customer may never order again I make the decision to buy cheap and yes this has turned around and bit me from time to time.
I have a lot on my plate right now working 12 to 14 hours trying to finish jobs before January 6 2012 that can only be run on this machine and once gone some these parts will never be made again.
Also my father is approaching 96 years old and his health is failing very fast we are not sure if he will make it until Christmas or even through this week end, plus my mother who is 89 fell in the driveway this last Friday dislocating her wrist and had to be taken to the hospital for a cast. She was my dad’s care giver and now everything has change in the blink of an eye.
Life can twist and turn so fast it makes you head spin.
Well enough said I sure hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving and great holidays to come.
Thanks for all your support and orders the past years.
Bill Stipe
Click to expand...
 
Bill: So sorry to hear of your situation. Hoping you come out of this all right Problem is when you're down, life sneaks up and bites you in the Axx. God Bless your Dad and hoping for a speedy recovery for your Mom.
Paul in CT
 
I am also going to take the liberty of hi-jacking this thread and take it down that road.

Since I am fortunate to be in a situation to be privy to information from both sides of the fence due to my profession, I have seen much of what Bill just stated coming for several years now. That is why I keep touting this idea of buying the best available of reproduction parts so it will continue to be manufactured. What many do not realize is that there are quite a few common components that were being reproduced several years ago that are no longer being manufactured. In a few weeks from now, we will be adding shock absorbers to that list.

One other thing that I have noticed in my line of work is that, (as many already know) I generally always buy the "best available" in reproduction parts as a 'value' for my customer. And just like opening a Big Mac box at McDonalds, that hamburger is basically still the same however most would agree that the size & quality are not the same as what it was a decade ago!! From what I am experiencing, that same mindset now seemingly applies to reproduction Model A parts. Springs are not the exact same length as they were a few years ago, machined tolerances are not within spec like they were a few years ago either, and materials used are often cheaper than what they used to be. It used to be that probably 90% of the best-available Model A parts was ready to install straight out of the shipping package. Now as many of you also experience, that is no longer the case!! Matter of fact, I would venture a guess that we now spend another 150-200 hours during a full frame-up restoration just tweaking the best-of-the-best repro parts to replicate the function Henry's boys originally intended. That can be as much as 10% of the entire time necessary to do a complete restoration! Sadly this is coming in an era when there is fewer & fewer "restorers" out there who actually have the tools and/or ability to do this type of 'tweaking' to make them perform satisfactorily. Maybe the pendulum of the proverbial clock of progress will start swinging in the opposite direction in the future. I truly hope so as we cannot afford to lose manufacturers with a commitment to quality such as Bill's.

.
 
This is really a shame. I remember when I was a kid working on Model As with my Dad and brother, back in the 70s, most of the repro parts seemed to come from Argentina and most were junk. For about 30 years they were more and more made in USA and the quality got better and better. Now the manufacturing is shifting overseas again and the quality drops again. Only if we, the buyers, protest and don't buy the junk, will we stem this tide.
 
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