I found it humorous that Jeff posted that terrible latch job as I was about to post this question. I have been in the planning stages of the 55 Mild custom build. One of my pet peeves are doors that have to be slammed etc. I have been researching NOS door parts and I started wondering if they were worth the effort? If I had new latches etc. would these doors shut as they should? I would think that they worked for years, but I am a realist also. I know that some designs are flawed from the get go. Also, what latches interchange? Does anyone have the part numbers for new latches? I don't want Chinese aftermarket. I only want NOS Ford latches if I am staying with the original design.
Do you think you have to slam yours because of new rubber? Mine shut easy as can be if I just slightly send the door in the right direction...
No, mine are because or worn out hinges. I have new rebuild kits for them. Just trying to get everything I need before the get started.
I think at one time Obsolete & Classic auto parts 800-654-3247 used to rebuild them. Might give them a call.. Dave
Does that go for 2 dr vs 4 doors etc? Mine are ok, not great, not terrible. I just thought if I am going through all the trouble of painting the car etc. It would be nice to find a set of NOS Ford latches, so that they would be good from now on.
In the '57 Ford world, after everything is adjusted correctly, having to slam doors is all about the new rubber. I'd go with the rebuilts if they're available, or NOS as you mentioned. You're fortunate in that your latches are rebuildable, the '57's are not. I found a nos passenger side easily..the guy had 12 of them. He told me it had been 10 years since he even saw a driver's side nos latch. I looked for 4 years. Finally found a nos 57 Mercury latch that I could modify to work in a Ford. The only reason I found it, and cheap as it was, it was Ebay advertised as a passenger side but I knew from the pic it was a rare to find driver's side.
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