The Ford Barn

wrndln · 09-10-2013, 08:31 AM

I have some original 29-31 open car door latches I am trying to restore. The main area to repair is the wear on the sliding piece of the latch. I don't know what the sliding piece is made of - cast iron, cast steel or forged. If it is forged, welding on it would be no problem. However, the sliding piece appears to be cast. If the sliding piece is cast, welding might be harder. Has anyone welded the ends of the sliding piece to bring it back to the way it was originally made? If so, would you post a response on how you did it. I am attaching a picture of 4 sliding parts for the latches. There is one other question I have. Note that the bottom two sliding pieces are longer than the top two pieces. Does anyone know why the difference? Except for the length, the two pairs appear to be identical.
Thanks for any help with this.
Rusty Nelson

Bill Underwood · 09-10-2013, 09:03 AM

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I just did a pair of those. I think they may be forged but they are not mild steel. Usually, I just mig them up and have had no probelms. I think tig would likely be better.

09-10-2013, 08:31 AM	#1
wrndln Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 5,178	Open car latch repair I have some original 29-31 open car door latches I am trying to restore. The main area to repair is the wear on the sliding piece of the latch. I don't know what the sliding piece is made of - cast iron, cast steel or forged. If it is forged, welding on it would be no problem. However, the sliding piece appears to be cast. If the sliding piece is cast, welding might be harder. Has anyone welded the ends of the sliding piece to bring it back to the way it was originally made? If so, would you post a response on how you did it. I am attaching a picture of 4 sliding parts for the latches. There is one other question I have. Note that the bottom two sliding pieces are longer than the top two pieces. Does anyone know why the difference? Except for the length, the two pairs appear to be identical. Thanks for any help with this. Rusty Nelson

09-10-2013, 09:03 AM	#2
Bill Underwood Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 445	Re: Open car latch repair Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I just did a pair of those. I think they may be forged but they are not mild steel. Usually, I just mig them up and have had no probelms. I think tig would likely be better.