has anybody out there substituted a different door handle on their T coupe? I need to do something for my doors and new ones are super pricey,as are used ones...can the roadster handles be swapped?..they are reasonably priced for replacements
I assume you mean the latch mechanisms. I purchased a set from Bert's Model A Center in CO and thought the price was just OK considering what originals can cost. I have also bought items and rebuilt latches which is fine, but one clock type spring I found difficult to source at the time. Beware, that some repro latches do have a built in fault when it comes to the locking mechanism within the latch body itself. It is no big deal if you take your time to check it out once installed. The main pin inside is too long and just needs to be shortened slightly so it does not foul the lock slide. I believe bear claw style latches have been used but I have no experience with them, but see some folks seem to have trouble clearing stuff and need to use extra levers and rods to make stuff work.
If you use a different year / model's handles and latches. note the shape of the doorskin where the handle's bezel mounts... the new bezel has to be close to the stock handle bezel ...
yes...I mean the latch mechanism....my other T coupe has the bear latch assembly which is smooth on the door shutting and clicking,but the mechanism doesnt work from the inside knob, so you gotta reach out the window to open the door...and as far as cost,I dont know that its a money saver or not to go with the bear latches
This may help... https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/official-model-a-t-latch-info-thread.632271/
Thank you fiftyv8. I bought the latches and have trouble with the locks. Guess I need to tweek them a bit. Mark, I agree that the repro latches are a bit pricey, but I have to applaud Vintique for stepping up to the plate and reproducing them. Before, all you could get was the rebuild kit with the springs and such to try to repair your old rusted solid 90 year old crap. There can't be much of a market out there for our old T's. People here seem to quibble about service from our suppliers but don't realize that they need enough orders to justify making a production run that at best will be small. These are small mom and pop operations sometimes; not Walmart. So buck up and spend your money.
Model A pick ups used the same doors as the Model T coupes. Henry reused them on the Model A pick up cause he had too many left over when the Model T coupe stopped being produced.
yea...I usually dont quibble about prices,after all I paid like 500.00 for 2 sets of model A coupe door hinges...I'll never cut up a set again!!....I did order a set of them from Howells...still waiting
I've heard that they are the same..isnt it for just a year or two after the T's?...they sure are hard to fing used...must be because new ones are 225.00 a set and you have to buy a pair...nobody sells just one ....anyway...still waiting for the set I ordered from Howells..maybe they will show up next year some time
Kinda. I think it's because there's less volume when the stuff gets made and the demand just about matches, if not exceeds the supply.
Nothing says hot rodder more than opening the door from the outside handle while you are inside Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
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