I have some '46-'48 Ford lever-type shocks, how can I tell if they need rebuilding, short of a test drive?
Well--quicky test for life is just stiff resistance to moving lever by hand, allowing only slow motion with a fairly hard push. A dead one is either going to be a dead fish effect or rusted solid. Full overhaul is in the '42 military Ford manual you can get in reprint. I think formal testing is likely putting on a long lever tool, timing drop under a certain weight, but will have to go look. If it passes the basic test, go with it. Resistance is alterable with adjuster if it's in pretty good shape, and I've heard of people filling them with heavy oil or even grease to either revive the dead or for radical increase in resistance for racing.
Disassembly instructions are almost scary...the special pressing fixtures and big levers indicate large forces are needed. Everything is a bit more complex than it looks, with locking rings and such. The military manual covers this because it is written at a depot/arsenal/branch level, above the dealer level. Dealers did not mess with these, and parts were not available at that level--shocks were exchanged for specialist rebuild or replaced. I've seen articles on rebuilding Model A ones as well, and again huge levers, big hammers, and clamping fixtures bolted to concrete slab are required. Beyond that, it's all machinest ingenuity, as parts are utterly unavailable. Any that have been run dry for long will be beyond help. These things were used on Indy cars looong after Ford went to cheaper shocks, and there used to be specialists building racer ones with close tolerances and revalving for different response ratios, usually 50/50.
Don't try to rebuild these yourself! The pros get about $50 to do it and that's cheap $. About 1/3 are worn out and can not be rebuilt. For most of the stuff we do you want to go to with less stiff. The shocks of a '48 Ford fordor are to much for a fenderless A. I have used motorcycle shock oil with good success. Shock oil has good anti foaming action. About 2 weeks ago there was a list on Ford Barn of rebuilders- under the Model A forum. Good cores are getting to be worth some $, so don't screwem up.
Recent (within the last year) Rod & Custom had a tech feature on a shop in Santa Anna, CA that rebuilds old Ford lever shocks. Not particularly inexpensive. And not something a home mechanic should consider. No specific guidelines on testing as I recall. But at least you have an option if yours flunk.
Also, they may well be OK on a light car because they almost certainly will have some wear with increased internal leakage. Adjuster in middle can be used also to dump more fluid past the resistance if necessary, and '48 Fords were rather soft suspended... design is actually pretty simple, it's the huge torques needed that make do it yourself a difficult pursuit. I think custom building tools would be necessary, as forces are beyond safe improvisation. If they work, try'em and back of adjuster if too stiff.
A friend of mine and old chev line mech rebuilt these for hard top racers . changed the valveing to 50-50 . run stp and jack oil. I have changed arms by useing a pitman arm puller . and a little heat. A GOOD SOLID STOP AGAINST THE SHAFT.
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