finished the wood and have fit the panels. I now realize that the door latch, which has 4 holes, actually takes 2 pair of different size or type of screws.
I know the door hinge takes a combination of flat-head stove bolts and wood screws and wonder if the same is true for the door latch on the body...it appears that it would accept two #10 or 12 wood screws, and two 1/4" flathead stove bolts.
Is this correct?
Nature dismantled my car for me, so do not have pix or fasteners in baggies to compare to.
Many thanks in advance for whatever info comes my way.
As best I remember the door latch assembly attaches with wood screws. On the hinge and the latch plate consider brazing the nuts to a piece of sheetmetal and attaching the sheet metal to the wood frame. That way you can remove a door or latch plate without disturbing the upholstery.
Ted
I think what you're saying is that the latch plate uses machine screws, and the latch assembly in the door uses wood screws?
I realize now that my question was poorly worded and my question was for the latch plate...but you have answered the question anyway!
Many thanks, and the nut idea is a stroke of genius!
Scott
Here is a photo of a '22 Coupe door latch.
Thank you Dennis
Only wood screws were used, the door wood block holds the latch. Flat head single slot wood screws.
'23 touring front door
Thanks Dan. It was the striker plate that I really meant to describe, and that's what I had the question on...it has two different size holes, with 2 of them being 1/4", so was wondering if those two were stove bolts.
Scott I have a 1919 Runabout and working on a 21 Touring rebuild. I have noticed the same thing on the different size screw holes.
I have had old pieces of wood with the striker plate still attached and had some longer flat head stove bolts in the larger holes.
These went through all the way in the wood rib.
They were around 1x1/2 to 2" long.
They had square nuts on them.
I dont know if it was necessary to have the bolts to go all the through.
I just used all flat wood screws to attach the striker plate. That way I could remove and adjust a lot easier than having to fuss with removing the nuts from inside the body.
I guess it depends on how much you want to be authentic with detail.
Some people would and some would not.
Maybe others would chime in.
Thats what I found on the wood pieces over the years but not really sure if Ford used the bolts all the through.
If I remember the latches have different size holes also so maybe Ford used bigger screws in those to make them hold better.
Scott
Yes. That striker plate used stove bolts with washer under sq. nuts too. You need the strength there to hold the door shut.
The latch uses only wood screws, as it is fastened on both edges, providing strength.
The hinge also uses stove bolts with washer under sq. nuts on three of the hinge holes going into the pillar. Those holes are the center one of the 3 in line, and the two end holes that are nearest the hinge pin. The other holes use wood screws.
I believe the striker plate on a '23 uses 4 screws, and probably early '24 too. But by late '24 and '25 they went to two. The door hinges on the late '24s and '25s used fewer screws too.
Thanks for everything guys...you've answered what I was looking for.
I love this forum!