40 ford seat, trunk, door lock
 

Hi guys.
The "new" 40 coupe got trailered home Monday, VIN ck'd and registered yesterday
Now the questions start.


1: Does anyone have a picture of the front seat adj mechanism? I see the gears and shaft that runs side to side. The release lever when raised does not seem to do anything. Helpful hints appreciated.


2: The trunk won't latch. The rubber seal does not appear to be too thick. When turning the handle I can see the latch move, but not very much up and down. The lower catch is fixed. Would raising the catch help or is there adjustment some how "inside" the trunk shell.


3:

Re: 40 ford seat, trunk, door lock
 

The seat may have been in the same position for so long that it's frozen with dried grease. Try spraying the two seat rails with lubricant.


To close the trunk, hold it about half way open and let it drop.

Re: 40 ford seat, trunk, door lock
 

Thanks, I've sprayed where the gears ride on the track, it won't release.
The trunk latch is not latching, it "fell" and didn't latch.
Paul in CT

Re: 40 ford seat, trunk, door lock
 

The seat may have to be removed and the tracks cleaned thoroughly. Occasionally a simple lubricant application won't do the trick.

If you see the latch move - that's a good thing. Is it worn along the bottom edge or straight across? If it appears straight, then most likely the adjustment between the catch and latch is poor.
You can experiment with moving the catch one way or another a bit at a time or, as I tend to do, climb in the trunk with a flashlight and have a helper close the trunk. You'll quickly see what the issue is and whether or not an adjustment will fix it.

Re: 40 ford seat, trunk, door lock
 

BINGO, removed the seat, probably 1st time in a looong time. Lubed everything up and was finally get it to move, all back together.


The trunk is a different story, I put grease on the body side latch, shut trunk, top latch hits about 1/2 way. When turning the trunk handle there is no where enough movement to get it to latch or unlatch.
Suggestions, parts diagram??
Thanks

Paul in CT

Re: 40 ford seat, trunk, door lock
 

It has been a long time since I assembled my '40, but isn't the catch mounted to the floor adjustable, and can maybe turn it 180 degrees. You are going to have to do some experimenting, you will figure it out.

My '40 coupe never did latch by dropping the lid, I had to turn the handle. My '38 coupe latches with a solid "thud" when I drop it.

Re: 40 ford seat, trunk, door lock
 

My trunk latches fine when I drop the lid, but I dont remember needing to unlock it every time. I thought I could leave it unlocked, but no, the key will not come out in the unlock position.
Paul, post some photos of this new coupe.

Re: 40 ford seat, trunk, door lock
 

A little tip about that locking trunk handle: Grind the head of a spare trunk key so that the keyhole cover will go over it. Leave it unlocked with the key in it until you need it secured.

Re: 40 ford seat, trunk, door lock
 

Hi Paul,
I'm glad you got one of the issues fixed.
Get somebody to climb in the trunk with a flash light and see where the trunk lid latch is aligning with the body catch.
Seriously… this works.
The 40 convertible I am just now completely has a trunk lid that latches under its own weight. No "dropping" it nor slamming.. just the weight of the lid does the trick. proof that you too can get this to work well.

Re: 40 ford seat, trunk, door lock
 

That is brilliant! Thanks

Re: 40 ford seat, trunk, door lock
 

Bill and Kube: PM's sent.
Paul

Re: 40 ford seat, trunk, door lock
 

When I bought my '41 the seller said he didn't have a trunk key, when I got the car home I moved the lock cover in there was a cut down key in the lock. Since my car is always garaged I just leave it in, very handy.

Re: 40 ford seat, trunk, door lock
 

Answered my friend...

Re: 40 ford seat, trunk, door lock
 

The OEM cylinder can be modified to facilitate removal of the key in either the locked or un-locked position. I keep some in stock.
Regards,
FlatHeadCoupe

Re: 40 ford seat, trunk, door lock
 

Ah! Now I know why my '41 coupe came with a broken off key in the trunk lid. I bought the trunk lid handle and lock cylinder from Dennis Carpenter and the replacement allows you to remove the key locked or unlocked.