40 ford deluxe hook latch problem

Thomas Sargent

Thomas Sargent

Member
Need some insight and help to understand what is going on with my 1940 ford hood latch. Has been working fine until yesterday when I was barely able to get it unlatched. The lever on the nose would just pull out about half way, with difficulty, and no amount of fooling around would loosen it, So I just pulled up harder and managed to get it to release. after raising the hood I am not able to work the lever at all after I closed it back to the hood.
Could someone school me on how this is supposed to work, and what is likely wrong? I see the release lever is not in stock anywhere, and a few have some parts kits, but looks like mostly braces and springs. Has anyone tried put bushings in this piece? I see that there is also an arm that rests on the bodywork when closed, how does that figure in? Thanks for the help.
Tom Sargent
 
Dont feel bad someone tried to open the hood on my 40 and broke the lever.
Unfortuneately there are none available at this time. It will be interesting working upside down to remove the latch. May have to remove the hood as I dont bend very well anymore. More adventures in Senior Living.
 
[/ATTACH][/ATTACH]Took this baby apart and think I may have found problem, the latch pivot hole is badly worn, see picture attached. I have a friend who will restore this using laser printer, making custom inset to restore to a round hole. Hope that this part is intended to have a round hole.
 

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Thomas Sargent said:
[/ATTACH][/ATTACH]Took this baby apart and think I may have found problem, the latch pivot hole is badly worn, see picture attached. I have a friend who will restore this using laser printer, making custom inset to restore to a round hole. Hope that this part is intended to have a round hole.
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on my four door which is the problem hood, there is one spring and it goes along the bracket, horizontal when closed. You can just make out the spring in the pix with the blue arrow. On my coupe hood the same spring goes almost straight up and hooks on a metal eye on one of the hood nose ornament bolts. Go figure
sounds like I am missing a spring on both cars. Wish there was an assembly drawing for this interesting unit. Also still wondering if the hole i show above on the lever should be round??
 
Thomas, Might I suggest you obtain a new handle? They are readily available and reasonably priced. That way you know the hole is where it belongs. Plus, you'll save your friend a lot of unnecessary work.
I have attached a page from Drake's old catalog that may help you sort out both of your cars.
 

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Wow, that image is extremely helpful. Thank you I would buy a new handle if I could find one, but everywhere I look is sold out. I have ordered the kit from Drake that is shown in the image. If you do know of a source for the handle, let me know. I appreciate
Tom Sargent
 
Thomas Sargent said:
Wow, that image is extremely helpful. Thank you I would buy a new handle if I could find one, but everywhere I look is sold out. I have ordered the kit from Drake that is shown in the image. If you do know of a source for the handle, let me know. I appreciate
Tom Sargent
Click to expand...

There are two currently on eBay.
 
the part number cast on the incorrect handle is 01A 8215B This is clear. I cannot find this number in my chassis manual. ? see pix
 

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Thomas Sargent said:
the part number cast on the incorrect handle is 01A 8215B This is clear. I cannot find this number in my chassis manual. ? see pix
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The 01A-8215-C indicates deluxe models. 01A-8215-A would be correct for the Ford V8 models (aka "standard").
The 01C-8215 is pickup truck.
Your handle with that "B" suffix is an early design and should be correct for your car. The change in the suffix typically indicated a change in either the design or "something" that someone felt the need to change that suffix to a "C" when the part was made for service.
 
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May have been a change to the casting metal due to the war. Ford was into gearing up for the war effort in 1940. Many of the war effort parts are without chrome and painted gray.
Notice your missing some other parts that hold the long spring to the bottom of the hood 91A-16873, 91A-8219 maybe more. Drake has these parts also.
 
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