Rebuilding the houdaille shocks

I have some rebuilt singles, pm me if you have questions. I will not sell good cores, only the rebuilt shocks.
 
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Hello.

I'm currently restoring some old Houdaille shocks from 1940-46 Ford. The shocks are in good condition, but I need new seals. There are two different versions – I can check the numbers if it helps to identify or can send pictures of the parts.
Do you have any tips on where I can buy some??

Greetings from Germany,
Matthias
 
I make any small seals. Cut rubber abd super glue.Take a sample to a seal shop and they can most likely to supply.
 
im coming in a bit late here. but i have 2 things.

which seal kits do you folks use?
i see at least 3 different kits on the market. some with o-ring seals, some have a double tapered seal and some have a thick flat seal.
ive been using the tapered seal type but sometimes leak.

the next thing is. i see so many people putting that shock in the vise and using a huge socket to take out the top plate.
don't do that you will fight it all the way. put that shock in the vise upside down with the hex clamped tight in the vise. stick (2) 7/16 bolts, one in each of the housing eyes, then use a long bar between those bolts to twist that shock body off. it is anchored more secure and you can get a ton of leverage on it.
 
O-ring nitrile seals. Thanks for the long bar technique , Will try that if I can access a good vice. Use permatex for the threads of the cover.
 
That upside down trick sounds like a very good idea. The O rings are the way to go. I see those wedge shaped seals as useless. Every shock I have worked on I have turned the shaft down. They are always worn. Install a bronze bushing in the inner cover and bore to a tight tolerance. Those wedge seal are made for a standard size shaft.
 
Will be using Tom Westenberg’s tools to disassemble, plus heat to remove the inner cover.
Emory paper is my new friend. Just need the dedicated time to rework the shocks. If the cover shows little wear then I start the disassembly. There are compromises when I am building a matched set to a build date.

Still need the KRWilson testing arm with test weight, and maybe the small tools. Any leads would be appreciated. A good friend has a set, but I would like to have the tools I am missing to complete my servicing tooling.
 
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do you know what the measurements of the shaft o-rings are? i am assuming that 2 are used for each shock.
thank you
 
on the cover i use the large diameter skinny o-ring with a slight smear of grease for slippage and i use wraps of Teflon tape on the threads. i have good success with the cover always sealing. its those goofy cone shaped plastic seals for the shaft ,that the kits come with, that i have issues with. i wont use them anymore.

thank you for all the help
OU
 
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