1935 Humpback Trunk hinge

[PGIGuy2861]

I have just purchased a 1935 Ford with an exterior trunk, One of the hinges does not "latch" tight the other side seems to have a spring that holds it down. It will lock. Any thoughts?

Thank you

[Karl Wescott]

First issue, part nomenclature: Are you talking about the "LATCH" that mounts to the deck lid and engages the "STRIKER" that mounts to the body below the lid, or the "HINGE" that attaches to the body and the top of the lid and allows it to swing?


Assuming you are talking about the latch, there is a little toggle lever that is spring loaded that has to have the spring to properly engage the striker. The spring is not available reproduction that I know of though a common spring (aka hardware store) might be found to do the job.


Photo attached shows the "hinge", "latch" (upright), "latch" (upside down), and a "striker".


If anyone has a conspiracy theory that the photo in front of my keyboard might indicate a reproduction in the future you might be right... in a few years.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Karl Wescott

First issue, part nomenclature: Are you talking about the "LATCH" that mounts to the deck lid and engages the "STRIKER" that mounts to the body below the lid, or the "HINGE" that attaches to the body and the top of the lid and allows it to swing?


Assuming you are talking about the latch, there is a little toggle lever that is spring loaded that has to have the spring to properly engage the striker. The spring is not available reproduction that I know of though a common spring (aka hardware store) might be found to do the job.


Photo attached shows the "hinge", "latch" (upright), "latch" (upside down), and a "striker".


If anyone has a conspiracy theory that the photo in front of my keyboard might indicate a reproduction in the future you might be right... in a few years.

[PGIGuy2861]

Thank you for your reply. Once I had latch off it appears that the problem is the lack of a spring which activates the toggle lever. Will see if local hardware store has something like it. Thanks

[BoxCar Tom]

i doubt that you will find an adequate replacement spring at a local hardware store and even if you find one the next problem is getting the pivot pin out that holds the spring in place. The pin is driven into a blind hole, so driving it out is not a given.

I have seven of these latches and would like to rebuild a pair and have them re-plated which would require complete disassembly. So I'm very interested to learn how you get that pin out.

[BoxCar Tom]

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I got restless so I dismembered the worst latch. Here is what the spring looks like.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by BoxCar Tom

I got restless so I dismembered the worst latch. Here is what the spring looks like.

[PGIGuy2861]

Thank you all for the information. Now for the spring??