Newbie here

55Customline

55Customline

Junior Member
Hello to all,

I'm sure glad I stumbled across this site! It looks like the Ford Barn and its inhabitants will be a great resource to me and my ol '55.

I've got a ways to go toward bringing my 2 door Customline up to daily driver status, but I've learned with old cars that patience is a virtue!

I've been looking for a driver's side doorlatch so I don't have to shut the door so hard that my door glass cracks (I've replaced 2 so far), and was wondering if any of you might have a line on one.

Thanks,

Rick
 
Welcome to the club.
Is yours worn out or could it just be out of adjustment? I will look If you need one I might have, not sure if it's drivers side or pass. Be advised 55 is all by itself 54 and 56 are not the same.
 
Thanks for the welcome!

I'm afraid that it's worn out. Every now and then it will stay latched, but most of the time no go. You have to almost slam it to latch. After the second door glass, I resorted to taking it to my mechanic who really knows old cars, and even with his resources we have not been able to find a latch. It would be really great if you have one! I need one for the passenger side as well, as it too is worn out, but for some reason it seems to latch when shut without resorting to slamming the door, go figure.

I heard that '55 is all on its own. What a cruel joke, lol, but a great car!

Anyhow, thanks a lot for your help!

Rick
 
The door latch is pretty tough, are you sure its not the striker plates that are bad? A few short years ago, many of the vendors had a batch of bad strikers. If you buy new strikers, look at the back. If there are voids in the casting, send them back, as they will break in half in about thirty miles. The good ones are flat on the back.
 
I've heard of Mac's just recently on this forum. Obsolete Ford in OK doesn't have one. I'll check Concour's (Ford parts?) also. I'm not sure about the striker plates but I'll check. Thanks for all your help.
 
Like Old Don says the latch is tough The striker plate (made of some pot metal alumanum stuff) gets worn out where the geer latch thingy strikes and it really shows and is adjustable be sure to check that out before you replace anything. The door latch geer I have seen worn out (it wobels a lot) and it can be an issue.
 
Hi, and welcome to the Barn.

Ford Part # B5A-7021813-B = Left (driver side) door latch. According the parts book it's same as '55 Birds. Maybe give Tee-Bird Products a check, their link: http://www.tee-bird.com/index.cfm

I didn't see it listed in Mac's but they have the striker plates. You might give 'em a call and ask though, they have pretty good tech support and perhaps can either get it or source one for you.

Ron
 
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Is there a big gap between the top of the door and the top rain gutter? If so, your door may be striking the sill plate at the bottom. Adjust the door upward at the hinges, then re-adjust the door striker plate to match the new door location and that could solve your problem unless your striker plate is worn out.
Insspect the teeth on the bottom of the striker plate. It is usually easy to spot worn teeth on these. Also, do you have the proper amount of asbestos shim plates behind the striker plates to permit the door latch to mate up with the striker?
If you need some of those, I think I got a box full of them around here somewhere. Might even be some good striker plates in there too.
 
Cool! Thanks everybody for all of your suggestions. I'm going to print this thread out and take it to my mechanic who has my car finishing up a 12V conversion. He is very popular, and is trying to retire, so is very busy but I need to get him off the fence on this door latch problem. I know that most of you probably work on your own cars, but like I said, after 2 door glasses, I gave in and punted it to my mechanic.
 
Ole Don, yes, I looked longingly at your avitar photo of your car, as that style trim (Fairlane?) is beautiful indeed. Of course my Customline came with the straight trim but that will have to wait, as it will run me about $300 a side. Also, are those Torc Thrust wheels? I would love to put a set of those on my car someday!

Everyone's rides here are beautiful and very inspiring!
 
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You should be able to find NOS door strikers at the swaps and online. I've found quite few for my '55 & '56 Fords this way.

You could possibly check your local Ford dealer with the number RacerRon posted. They used to sell alot of 50s T-bird parts over the parts counter, but I'm not sure if this is still common practice.
 
Might also consider if you purchase new door mechanical, and striker plate look for a 56 car, Ford changed for the better and it should fit with no mods.
 
Gerry brings up a good point
The 55 and 56 car bodies are identical. The 55 Ford had absolutely no safety devices. In 56, Ford introduced safety latches on the doors. To go with the safety latch, you need to get the latch mechanism in the door and the striker plate. Just replace the 55 parts with the 56 parts. Ford also offered seat belts as optional equipment in 56 for the first time and all models had a padded dash except for the mainline series cars.
 
Daves55Sedan said:
Gerry brings up a good point
Ford also offered seat belts...and all models had a padded dash...
Click to expand...

I think the padded dashboards were optional too. I have 2 '56 Fairlanes. The parts car has the padded dash, my driver doesn't.

The '56s also have recessed center steering wheels, a supposed safety feature.

Yes, great point on the latches, if '56 latch mechanisms fit in the '55 doors that might be the best fix.

Ron
 
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