The Ford Barn

mward · 07-23-2020, 06:16 PM

I posted this on the HAMB, originally, and they suggested that I post it here.

I have my great-grandparents' 41 Merc sedan that I'm working on getting running again. I've run into two issues, one of which is my own doing.

First, the problem of my own making: When I pulled the radiator to swap the motor (the original was stuck and needs rebuilt, so I've got a '40 Ford motor in until I get time to do that), I was terrible at bolt management and don't remember what held the side braces in. Are those just regular bolts that stick out and have a washer to keep them in the slot?

Second, the trunk latch slips when the handle is turned, so the latch isn't retracted. I've confirmed that the latch is loose, though a little stiff. In looking at how to take it out, I see there's about a 2-inch nut that backs the handle and two screws on the bottom to hold the latch in position (either side of the latch in this image, just out of frame):

two small flat head screws on the inside of the door:

I can get the screws out, but I don't see how there's enough space to get that size of box wrench in to loosen it. Is there a special wrench needed to be made to fit in that space and loosen the nut, or is there a trick to just holding the nut and starting to spin off the handle from the outside?

Ggmac · 07-23-2020, 06:52 PM

You can use a 12 pt socket on square Bolts and nuts they make special 8 ptsockets . Ive got an old craftsman set .

drolston · 07-24-2020, 11:59 AM

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No way to get a regular wrench in there. I got one on my '41 loose by tapping the points on the nut with a blade screwdriver and a mallet. Probably best to give it a day or two of liquid wrench or Gibbs to make the job go easier.

07-23-2020, 06:16 PM	#1
mward Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Posts: 1	41 Merc radiator and trunk latch questions I posted this on the HAMB, originally, and they suggested that I post it here. I have my great-grandparents' 41 Merc sedan that I'm working on getting running again. I've run into two issues, one of which is my own doing. First, the problem of my own making: When I pulled the radiator to swap the motor (the original was stuck and needs rebuilt, so I've got a '40 Ford motor in until I get time to do that), I was terrible at bolt management and don't remember what held the side braces in. Are those just regular bolts that stick out and have a washer to keep them in the slot? Second, the trunk latch slips when the handle is turned, so the latch isn't retracted. I've confirmed that the latch is loose, though a little stiff. In looking at how to take it out, I see there's about a 2-inch nut that backs the handle and two screws on the bottom to hold the latch in position (either side of the latch in this image, just out of frame): two small flat head screws on the inside of the door: I can get the screws out, but I don't see how there's enough space to get that size of box wrench in to loosen it. Is there a special wrench needed to be made to fit in that space and loosen the nut, or is there a trick to just holding the nut and starting to spin off the handle from the outside?

07-23-2020, 06:52 PM	#2
Ggmac Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Lake worth Florida Posts: 1,099	Re: 41 Merc radiator and trunk latch questions You can use a 12 pt socket on square Bolts and nuts they make special 8 ptsockets . Ive got an old craftsman set .

07-24-2020, 11:59 AM	#3
drolston Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 1,627	Re: 41 Merc radiator and trunk latch questions Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) No way to get a regular wrench in there. I got one on my '41 loose by tapping the points on the nut with a blade screwdriver and a mallet. Probably best to give it a day or two of liquid wrench or Gibbs to make the job go easier.