'32 Ford 3W door lock

deuce-deacon

deuce-deacon

Member
Thank you in advance for any help you might provide. I have an original 3W coupe. The passenger side door latch operates from the inside, but using the outside handle it just spins and doesn't open. There is a small lever that moves the door lock slider (see image 0751), but instead it just spins freely.

I took this mechanism apart (after grinding welds and heating the parts), and found that both the small lever is broken (right arrow in image 0752) and so is the little six-sided nut (left arrow in image 0752).

Two questions:

1. I can't tell if the lever is supposed to have a gap so the six-sided nut can be installed and removed, or if the lever is broken. Does anyone know?

2. Any ideas on where I might buy a replacement for the little six-sided insert?

Thanks again,

Richard
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0751.jpg
    IMG_0751.jpg
    84.4 KB · Views: 46
  • IMG_0752.jpg
    IMG_0752.jpg
    75.3 KB · Views: 50
The split in the lever is most likely opening under operating stress and the missing part of the hex insert is allowing it to collapse. allowing the hex insert to strip by and not properly turn the lever. You may be able to weld and repair the lever but it appears the hex insert may have to be re-manufactured since part of it is gone. It looks like steel hex stock could easily be machined to replace the insert.
 
I doubt if those parts were ever available as individual service parts, so Terry's counsel is likely the route of the least effort and frustration.
 
Thank you very much.

I'll make calls tomorrow to see if I can find the hex insert, but I was thinking along the same lines that I'd have a hard time finding it as a replacement / service part.

One of you noted that I might be able to machine a replacement from hex stock. Can you provide some additional detail on this idea? I assume you mean get a hex shaped rod, machine the outer edges round, and then machine in the square? If so, that's a lot of material removal. I'll need to find someone skilled to do that!!

thanks much --
 
Most small machine shops save a few bar ends (4-6" long) and should be able to machine mild steel hex to the round ends you need and drill a round hole through the center. IMO I would have multiple pieces made at the same time(maybe 3 or 4), in case of a mistake or if the other door latch is also worn. It would be difficult if the size of the hex is not of standard fractional size. You may have to file the center round hole square to fit the handle shaft. If so use the old as a pattern to get the square nearly exact to the orientation of the outside hex. It may take a couple of attempts at reassembly so the outside door handle sits level as it should. I would look to have the lever brazed onto the hex in it's final position, that would repair the crack at the same time as fix the hex pieces together. Or look for a replacement which could take some time, and you could wind up repairing a used replacement.
 
In the past, I have brazed similar worn/damaged latch pieces together and reused them.

In my case, and it appears so in your case, there was no need for them to remain individual parts. Most likely they were made separately for machining, assembly, or interchangeability reasons.

Important part is to get them perfectly aligned before permanently joining them.
 
Is it possible that these parts of the latch are common to other latches? You might find that these are common pieces and can be taken from other latches. Might save you a lot of time and money.
 
Thanks again!! I have a call into All Ford in CA, hoping they might help. If not, I know a good machinist and will go that route. I'd really prefer to fix the old one if possible. And I'll explore other latch mechanisms to see if Mr Ford re-used the '32 design on something else.
 
The closest to the '32 deluxe coupe latch mechanism design is that used on '33 coupes, etc.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top