The Ford Barn

Marshall V. Daut · 05-20-2025, 01:20 PM

For you 1929-early 1931 three-window Fordor and Town Sedan owners: Which way should the door lock knob on the inside door panel point in the unlocked position? I know it points downward, but at the unlocked position, should it point to the 5:00 or 7:00 position? It will fit either way. I have looked through publications trying to find the definitive visual answer, but the position varies, both in photos of original and restored cars.
M.

JayJay · 05-20-2025, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marshall V. Daut

For you 1929-early 1931 three-window Fordor and Town Sedan owners: Which way should the door lock knob on the inside door panel point in the unlocked position? I know it points downward, but at the unlocked position, should it point to the 5:00 or 7:00 position? It will fit either way. I have looked through publications trying to find the definitive visual answer, but the position varies, both in photos of original and restored cars.
M.

M- mine was at about the 7:00 locked when I took it apart, and about the 9:00 when unlocked. Or maybe the other way around. In any event, in one state it was horizontal and in the other state it was angled.

J Franklin · 05-20-2025, 05:15 PM

Make sure the door is unlocked and then install the lever in the down position.

Marshall V. Daut · 05-20-2025, 06:21 PM

Thanks, Guys. Admittedly a simple question, but why not install this part correctly the first time? It's one of those things that if you orient it correctly, no one says anything. But Heaven forbid you install it incorrectly and everyone who ever saw a Model A drive by 30 years ago will gleefully point out your error.

In my search through interior photos in books and on-line I saw this poor little knob variously pointing in four directions because the locking mechanism shaft and the knob's receptacle are both square, unkeyed. So, four orientations are possible. I wanted to know the right one. Thanks again.
M.

J Franklin · 05-21-2025, 12:10 AM

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My car had a round shaft with a cross-pin. Only could go on 2 ways.

05-20-2025, 01:20 PM	#1
Marshall V. Daut Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Davenport, Iowa Posts: 2,626	Fordor/Town Sedan lock knob question... For you 1929-early 1931 three-window Fordor and Town Sedan owners: Which way should the door lock knob on the inside door panel point in the unlocked position? I know it points downward, but at the unlocked position, should it point to the 5:00 or 7:00 position? It will fit either way. I have looked through publications trying to find the definitive visual answer, but the position varies, both in photos of original and restored cars. M.

05-20-2025, 05:15 PM	#3
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 6,370	Re: Fordor/Town Sedan lock knob question... Make sure the door is unlocked and then install the lever in the down position.

05-20-2025, 06:21 PM	#4
Marshall V. Daut Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Davenport, Iowa Posts: 2,626	Re: Fordor/Town Sedan lock knob question... Thanks, Guys. Admittedly a simple question, but why not install this part correctly the first time? It's one of those things that if you orient it correctly, no one says anything. But Heaven forbid you install it incorrectly and everyone who ever saw a Model A drive by 30 years ago will gleefully point out your error. In my search through interior photos in books and on-line I saw this poor little knob variously pointing in four directions because the locking mechanism shaft and the knob's receptacle are both square, unkeyed. So, four orientations are possible. I wanted to know the right one. Thanks again. M.

05-21-2025, 12:10 AM	#5
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 6,370	Re: Fordor/Town Sedan lock knob question... Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) My car had a round shaft with a cross-pin. Only could go on 2 ways.