1931 Model A Ford Roadster Door Latch Mechanisms

[Robert Todd]

Two Questions:

1. It appears that the internal spring in the door latch mechanism is quite strong and that it will be necessary to "turn the door handle" when closing the door. Was this the original intent or was the original intent that the door could be "slammed" shut without turning the door handle?

2. From what I have read, the door latch mechanisms on this body style may have been installed before the body was painted, thereby being painted the body color. Was this really the case or were the door latches painted black before installation and installed after the body was painted?

I would appreciate a response from anyone knowledgable and if you have a reference, that would be icing on the cake!

Thank you!

Robert Todd
[email protected]

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Robert, let me start by welcoming you to Fordbarn!

The door latch should be able to latch by a gentle push on the door handle. Repro door latches do not have the correct angle on the latch but even original latches are difficult to latch gently if the hinge pins are loose.

2nd, the body was in bare metal (body in white) with the latches & striker already installed prior to paint.

[Roadster62]

Brent, were the dovetails and rubber bumpers added after paint?

[Robert Todd]

Thanks Brent.

Hinge pins are new and the door latches are original and in very good condition having also been cleaned and lubricated well. Striker latch plates that bolt to the "quarter panel" behind the door are also original and with very little wear. Nevertheless the spring force to compress the latch slider "pin" in the mechanism is probably about 10 lbs.

Given that it is a roadster and the quarter panels behind the doors are not as rigid as in a closed car, have you learned of any modifications to the angle on either the door latch slider pin or the striker plate that would improve the ease of closing the door s compared with the original?

Good advice is always appreciated!

Thank you!

Robert Todd
[email protected]

[Robert Todd]

Yes, they fit nicely but still since it is a roadster, the quarter panels are less rigid than on a closed car and the spring force to compress the slider pin in the mechanism is about 10 lbs. even though the original latch mechanisms are cleaned and well lubricated. I would have suspected less fore to move the slider pin and hence close the door.

Any tricks you have learned in changing the "lead in angles" on either the either slider pin in the mechanism or the door striker plate that attaches to the quarter panel that would make force required to close the door less?

Thanks!

Robert Todd
[email protected]

[Marco Tahtaras]

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The Roadster doors do not click shut like closed models in part because the doors are so light. There are essentially three ways to close the doors. First, turn the handle as you mentioned. Second, grasp both the top rear edge of the door and top front edge of the quarter (palm on door, fingers wrapped over quarter) and squeeze. If all works smoothly like new that works fine for guys. And third (what I usually do), get a light grip (thumb and two fingers) on the top of the door at about center (whether inside or outside the car). Swing the door and the momentum will click it closed very nicely when you get the feel for it.

Don't attempt to alter the geometry as there WILL be negative side effects.

[Robert Todd]

Thank you Marco for your thoughtful and knowledgable reply.

Sincerely,

Robert H. Todd
[email protected]:

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Pleasant memory: A blind man coming out of Bad Bud's Mini-Mart, stopped SHORT and said, "I HEARD A MODEL A DOOR CLOSE!" "May I touch it?" He then related all it's feaures to me, even the license # and inquired what brand the horn was and asked if he could honk it! Bill W.

[ericr]

Originally Posted by Marco Tahtaras

The Roadster doors do not click shut like closed models in part because the doors are so light. There are essentially three ways to close the doors. First, turn the handle as you mentioned. Second, grasp both the top rear edge of the door and top front edge of the quarter (palm on door, fingers wrapped over quarter) and squeeze. If all works smoothly like new that works fine for guys. And third (what I usually do), get a light grip (thumb and two fingers) on the top of the door at about center (whether inside or outside the car). Swing the door and the momentum will click it closed very nicely when you get the feel for it.



Don't attempt to alter the geometry as there WILL be negative side effects.

Marco did you trim the door rubbers exceedingly to get such a door fit, or are the 30-31 doors designed better, or how did you get this result?

[Marco Tahtaras]

Originally Posted by ericr

Marco did you trim the door rubbers exceedingly to get such a door fit, or are the 30-31 doors designed better, or how did you get this result?

It's not quite as close as the reflections make it appear but it's pretty close. I'm using original Ford rubbers as shown below. They are obviously thinner than repros.

[ericr]

Originally Posted by Marco Tahtaras

It's not quite as close as the reflections make it appear but it's pretty close. I'm using original Ford rubbers as shown below. They are obviously thinner than repros.

the repros cause a lot of trouble, obviously that is why you used old ones. I find the repros very difficult to trim. Is part of the problem here that the originals were natural rubber and repros are vinyl, which is more inflexible?

[Tom Wesenberg]

I use a Dremel with a grinding wheel to trim. It works better than a razor blade.

[ericr]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

I use a Dremel with a grinding wheel to trim. It works better than a razor blade.

are you using a carborendum stone or what?

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by ericr

are you using a carborendum stone or what?

I have a set of diamond bits from H/F. They work good for most materials.

[ericr]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

I have a set of diamond bits from H/F. They work good for most materials.

I put "H/F" into the search box and this is what came up:

Hellman & Friedman


www.hf.com · Official site
Focus: investing in management buyouts in media, telecommunications, financial services, technology and marketing.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by ericr

I put "H/F" into the search box and this is what came up:

Hellman & Friedman


www.hf.com · Official site
Focus: investing in management buyouts in media, telecommunications, financial services, technology and marketing.

Mmmm, I'm thinking he means try Harbor Freight.....


.

[Timsalways]

Ya, harbor freight is what I thought too

[RonC]

Www.harborfreight.com