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Technical 40 ford locking decklid handle ?

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by ohiohotrods, Oct 29, 2024.

  1. ohiohotrods
    Joined: Aug 14, 2006
    Posts: 457

    ohiohotrods
    Member

    picked up a nice 40 ford coupe and it appears to be a drake deck lid assembly. problem is you have to unlock it every time to get into the trunk and lock it back when done- you cant remove the key in the unlocked position? any one know a fix for it?
     
  2. chevyfordman
    Joined: Oct 4, 2008
    Posts: 1,500

    chevyfordman
    Member

    I don't think there is a fix for that, my 40 Ford and 48 Chevy both are like that.
     
    warbird1 and RAK like this.
  3. maplefrm
    Joined: Aug 15, 2010
    Posts: 696

    maplefrm
    Member
    from Central IL

    I have had a '40 Ford for 4 months now and agree the lock is rather inconvenient.
     
  4. 5window
    Joined: Jan 29, 2005
    Posts: 9,948

    5window
    Member

    Ford and Chevy both. It's an 80 year old design issue, not a reproduction problem.
     
    lilCowboy likes this.
  5. okiedokie
    Joined: Jul 5, 2005
    Posts: 4,935

    okiedokie
    Member
    from Ok

    I think that there are other reproductions that do allow you to unlock it and leave it unlocked. Just don't remember whose.
     
  6. LOU WELLS
    Joined: Jan 24, 2010
    Posts: 3,433

    LOU WELLS
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from IDAHO

    My Original 40 Coupe Handle Worked Correctly...Repop Issues Today 22519418_1913806645610274_1425417047983016289_n.jpg
     
    lothiandon1940 likes this.
  7. 45 years ago I went to my local locksmith with that exact issue. He told me to remove the handle and leave it with him for an hour. Cost me $5.oo and I told him that was to much but paid it anyway. The key came out after unlocking and everything worked fine. It also still locked. Wish I knew what he did.
     
  8.  
    Tow Truck Tom and LOU WELLS like this.
  9. RodStRace
    Joined: Dec 7, 2007
    Posts: 8,462

    RodStRace
    Member

    It was a choice, just like not being able to close a locked door (and have the keys inside).
    The lock wafers will keep the keys from being removed in positions.
    A locksmith can probably change this for you fairly easily.
    If you want to dive deeper, look up Deviant Ollam and TSA pelican locking latches.
    It isn't HAMB stuff so I won't link.
     
  10. geoford41
    Joined: Jul 26, 2011
    Posts: 766

    geoford41
    Member
    from Delaware

    Shorten a key and unlock the handle cover the tumbler with the stock SS flipper
     
    warbird1 and Tow Truck Tom like this.
  11. ohiohotrods
    Joined: Aug 14, 2006
    Posts: 457

    ohiohotrods
    Member

    do what? shorten the key? how much?
     
    Tow Truck Tom likes this.
  12. chevyfordman
    Joined: Oct 4, 2008
    Posts: 1,500

    chevyfordman
    Member

    Every original 40 I had, the key could not be removed unless locked, it's not a repop problem I believe.
     
  13. Tow Truck Tom
    Joined: Jul 3, 2018
    Posts: 3,360

    Tow Truck Tom
    Member
    from Clayton DE

    Todays money, that's near $20
     
    Pist-n-Broke likes this.
  14. 5window
    Joined: Jan 29, 2005
    Posts: 9,948

    5window
    Member

    This isn't a problem, it's an inconvenience but surely it's worth $ 20 to correct it. Skip your Starbucks for the day. :)
     
  15. lilCowboy
    Joined: Nov 21, 2022
    Posts: 149

    lilCowboy

    On My 40 merc (same handle) that is an inconvenience for sure .Im gonna check with my local locksmith to see if he can do this
     
    Pist-n-Broke likes this.
  16. joel
    Joined: Oct 10, 2009
    Posts: 2,694

    joel
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Try this. After unlocking the trunk and lifting the lid, turn the key to lock and remove it. When you're done in the trunk just close the lid firmly and the latch will catch and hold the deck lid closed. I've been doing it for years.
     
    lilCowboy likes this.

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