I am having a hard time with the door alignment/ latching on the Fly. I was thinking I should come up with a better latch system. I have to have door handles(NHRA regs) so I was gonna try and adapt some mini bearclaw types. Has anyone ever done this? Can it be done or are they too big? Pics would be most helpful. Thanks Root
I used full size bear claws and it caused a couple challenges. 1) the big ones are big enough the box the mount in sits inside the door panel, they stick out 1/2". 2) I haven't figured out the linkage yet, from door handle you must go under the window channel and back up to the latch on the inside. Looking at a cable setup now. When I do it again I will use the small trunk latches. Besides those issues, I feel much safer with a more positive latch mechanism. TZ
My main concern is if for any reason the emergency crew should have to get me out ( let's hope not) that the doors will work. Cause I ain't going out the window!! Remember the Fly is chopped 6 inches.
Anyone ever use the outer pieces of the latch (2 piece setup) from an OMNI or HORIZON? They look very adaptable and are really small. Bill
Another small door latch is the AUDI latch wich is also the Newer VW (rabbit, Golf. vintage. I used them in my 36 when I redid it.
I haven't really looked at anything other than the bearclaws. I am getting close on time. 40 days and counting.....I really don't know if I'll have time for any junkyard scrounging , which is one of my favorite things to do. Dang...it's the little things that eat my lunch. I figured that this was beating a dead horse.
This might sound stupid but in regard to the window regulator thing being in the way, a friend did his latch in reverse, ie latch fixed to the body, and striker to the door. Sorry Root, probably doesn't help you, just thought I'd mention it. Drewfus
Has anyone come up with a way to make a Model A door handle work yet? Just got some bear claws and I'd like to see some pics inside a door of someone who's got them working around the window channels.
[ QUOTE ] Are you using New/ Repop stuff , or are you using 80 year old Ford latches ? [/ QUOTE ] Good question. I'm using new Model A latches on the 31. They came with the Brookville body and close & latch very nicely. Doors close with a solid clunk. A bit tinny with no upholstery, but.... Seems like a new set of A latches may do the trick for you.
my lil A pickup has some massive nuts and with all new latches when u lauch it off the line from a dead stop the drivers door pops open come to find out so does the passenger when someone is leaning on it so i put in a pair of ol skool screen door slide bolt latches work good and havent had anymore OOOHHHHH SHIIIIITTTTTTs while engine is turning a million rpms and cheater slicks are buckeling up but i understand you want something that a non educated individual can open upon emergency so this probabley isnt the way u wanna go
Do a search. There was a excellent tech article on installing the mini (not trunk style) latches and handle mechansim in a A.
There have been previous posts about this, the one problem with some larger bear claw latches is that they interfer with the window track. Windsor Fabrication makes a kit to install small bear claw latches which uses the stock outer handles. I wouldn't recommend stock latches, especially for a race car. I've had the stock springs break, once that happens, the door is unlatched.
I have the original door latch system on my 31 and they work fine. The handles are on the exterior and interior. I run it at the drags low 12's. Does the NHRA have other requirements.
i used bear claws in a `32 3 window coupe and retained the outside handles with a little arm that goes over the square shaft of the handle. then a simple linkage rod to the latch
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