Anyone done replacement locks on their 39-47 Ford COE. I bought a lock from Bob Drake via Wescotts, part number 48-702302 and it's too long. I just looked up that number and both Backorder Bob and Wescotts sites would indicate that it's right... What say the experts?
The square shank.? Cut it off so it’s shorter. Those locks. fit the cars also with thicker doors Or ask. Karl Wescott. He’s on here. BOB. DRAKE. DOES NOT GET ENOUGH RESPECT. FOR HIS. HARD WORK !! IMO !!! HE IS A. PERFECTIONIST, HARD WORKING , INNOVATIVE PERSON WHO EMPLOYS MANY. PEOPLE WHO HAVE SIMILAR TRAITS. THOSE. REPRODUCTION PARTS. DON’T. JUST “. HAPPEN.” JUST THINK ,WHILE YOUR LOOKING, AND WAITING FOR YOUR PART, YOU ORDERED, WHERE. YOU WOULD BE LOOKING FOR THE. HOBBY PARTS. IF NOT FOR DRAKE AND. HIS DEDICATED EMPLOYEES. ALSO GIVE. DENNIS. SOME LOVE. AND OTHER REPRODUCERS
Sounds like I hit a nerve... sorry... I wasn't complaining about the part per se, more questioning if I had the right part. I am currently trying to get the driver's door opened up to re-check the fit. I'm pretty sure it was the body of the lock was too long, not just the shaft. I was able to pull the inside door handle but the window crank handle is giving me fits. I began by mistakenly trying to knock out the pin where there was none. I realized eventually that was 45 degrees away. I managed to get it out, but the handle still won't come off. I suspect I boogered up something... I may have to cut it off and order a new one from Wescotts. I've had nothing but WONDERFUL service from Karl Wescott. I've never dealt with Bob Drake directly.
Ok, so I finally got the window crank handle off, then removed the door panel... I think you were correct Verde, the shaft is too long... but that's just the start of the issues... I shove the square rod into the opening I can see inside the lock hole as far as I can to see how much I'll need to cut. No problem... I then turn the shaft to see if it locks the door... Nothing.. It just spins freely... I look into the hole again and I don't see anything square about that inner hole. It looks pretty much round as if it wasn't intended to lock or whatever is supposed to be a square holed receiver is no longer present... Even though there is a lock hole on the exterior sheet metal, maybe a latch mechanism was installed that didn't have that feature at some point in the truck's 83 year life??? Ideas??? IIRC I'll need to pull that gl*** and ***ociated bits to get the latch out of the door for a closer exam...
Mystery solved... Looks like the left door latch had a mechanism that would slide down when the key is turned and stop movement of the door handle. I suspect that was attached to the latch mechanism plate in those 3 slots. I wonder if those are available.....
Sometimes the square drops out of alignment .. looks like missing parts, and if the key just spins, try the key to lock it ITS CALLED RESTORING, OR INNOVATING ..... Ford only wanted people to get out on drivers side.!!!
yeah, definitely missing pieces on mine,,, No luck at several old stock JYs. Looks like 48-52 Ford trucks have a very similar design for the lock mechanism on 38-47s, maybe I can make one of those work. Anyone got a 1948-52 left pickup or COE door latch they'll part with?
Ok, I got a 1948-1952 latch with a lock., It's different from 38-47 but I think I can make it work and I'm not starting from scratch to build the thing.. I'll keep you posted... I also scored pretty decent front turn signal lenses and bezels for the Freak Show's 1962 front end... 50 bucks for all of it at a yard FILLED with old iron.
Lock mechanism removed from crusty 1948 latch. Innards transplanted to 1941 latch. Lock "case" had to be heated and all the "box sides" bent the opposite way to fit the 1941 latch. This was from the driver's door on the 1948, but the lock is below the handle on the 1948 and above on the 1941 COE.
I would think Old Henry would be spinnin far more about a Chevy engine than putting his lock into the wrong year truck... LOL! I think I'll have to weld the 1948 "lock case" to the 1941 latch plate as I have no idea how to make little slots to accept the tabs. I could drill multiple small holes but I'd still have to get something in there to make it rectangular. They are pretty small, not sure how I'd do that.. Speaking of Old Henry...
The lock is installed and working. What should have been a simple thing fought me every step of the way. Modifying the transplanted mechanism to the 41 latch went pretty well but then.... Try to put the lock cylinder into the door, diameter is too big. Not by much, but enough that I fear damaging the paint if I forced it. Hmmm.. Sure I could make the hole a little bigger, but again... it's already painted and I feared chips and other nastiness. I opted to make the cylinder a little smaller. Finally get it into the door after figuring out how the hell to get it in the last 1/4". Tighten down the set screw... Oh yeah that wasn't threaded.... Try the lock and it spins but doesn't lock the door... WTFF!?!?!? Worked on the bench just fine... ugh... Take it apart and back to together LOTS of times and don't see anything wrong.. I can lock it with a screwdriver w/o the cylinder in there... Play around with the cylinder and finally figure out that I have the orientation wrong of shaft to lock mechanism even though I had checked that... Apparently, not well enough... At this rate, it's a good thing I started early on the things I want done for the COE COeNVOY in August.
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