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11-29-2018, 02:31 PM | #1 |
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Breaking Into An Open 55 Ford
Hi all, I’m attempting to figure out what my 55 was before the prior owner(s) did what they did to it. So I want to decode the Data Tag – the one on the driver’s door pillar. Problem: the door won’t open, so I go to the other side roll down the driver’s window and give it a tug – no go. I fiddle with the lock button some and give a bit more of a tug – still no go. Since the lock button felt like it was barely doing anything I got the key – the key won’t turn. Prior to being parked where it is now the lock and door functioned properly.
Today I shot a bit of WD40 in the key hole and opened up my Ford Shop Manual. But the FSM really doesn’t have a useful (in this case) diagram of the internals of the door mechanism. Since the front door panels are off, I was hoping to see what I might be able to do from inside the door. I suspect that something may have sagged (for lack of a better term) and is preventing movement. So, the question seems to be . . . Does anyone know how to break into a 55 Ford – from the inside? Thank you |
11-29-2018, 03:22 PM | #2 |
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Re: Breaking Into An Open 55 Ford
Need more info. What did "the prior owner(s) did what they did to it." What did they do exactly. IF they attempted to make a convertible out of a sedan by cutting the top off, then yes, it probably caved in the the center.
The converts had a different frame than the sedans. The were reinforce so they didn't bend in the middle, like I suspect yours did... Might try putting a jack under the middle to try to get the door open. |
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11-29-2018, 07:21 PM | #3 | |
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Re: Breaking Into An Open 55 Ford
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Thank you |
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11-29-2018, 07:54 PM | #4 |
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Re: Breaking Into An Open 55 Ford
May I suggest you get a spray can of PB Blaster (Walmart or most auto parts stores)
Spray the door latch mechanisms, inside the door, with liberal amounts of Blaster. Keep trying to get the inside door lock to free up and move up and down again. .
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11-29-2018, 09:17 PM | #5 |
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Re: Breaking Into An Open 55 Ford
When you use the inside handle what does it feel like - since the panel is removed you should see it pulling the mechanism at the latch. Is it doing this?
While not familiar with the 55 door latches, what I have found that there is a rod connector between the lock and the latch. Something may be off (not connected) that is preventing the door from becoming unlocked.
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11-29-2018, 10:46 PM | #6 |
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Re: Breaking Into An Open 55 Ford
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Afterward, first thing I would do is shine a flashlight in thru the big square hole aiming toward the back to see if somebody drove a screw thru the door structure into the rear quarter. If not, you can dismantle the door mechanism from inside to get the door open. |
11-30-2018, 12:48 AM | #7 |
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Re: Breaking Into An Open 55 Ford
[QUOTE=L5wolvesf;1700749]Hi all, I’m attempting to figure out what my 55 was before the prior owner(s) did what they did to it. So I want to decode the Data Tag – the one on the driver’s door pillar. Problem: the door won’t open, so I go to the other side roll down the driver’s window and give it a tug – no go. I fiddle with the lock button some and give a bit more of a tug – still no go. Since the lock button felt like it was barely doing anything I got the key – the key won’t turn. Prior to being parked where it is now the lock and door functioned properly.
Today I shot a bit of WD40 in the key hole and opened up my Ford Shop Manual. But the FSM really doesn’t have a useful (in this case) diagram of the internals of the door mechanism. Since the front door panels are off, I was hoping to see what I might be able to do from inside the door. I suspect that something may have sagged (for lack of a better term) and is preventing movement. Step 1: Throw that WD-40 into the bushes and get some real penetrant, like PB Blaster or Kroil. Step 2: Get a flashlight and a mirror on a stick and check the latch for disconnected linkage. Use the other door to see what should be there. |
11-30-2018, 01:10 PM | #8 |
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Re: Breaking Into An Open 55 Ford
Most all of the Fords cars in that era had a similar latch mechanism. It's likely the type with the rotating star wheel that meshes with teeth on the door jam. They have a metal arm that actuates the latch on the inside and a simple lever actuated by the door handle button on the outside. I'd hate to have to destroy a door panel but that would be better than destroying the sheet metal of the door or B pillar. Something is likely broken in the latch mechanism. Now finding out what is another matter. Then how to manipulate it to get it to free the latch is yet another. You will have to have access to the latch somehow. The door will have to be opened up to repair it since some of the screws are in the door jam area. If you take the lock knob off the shaft, you can drizzle penetrant down in the general area of the latch and possibly free something that might be corroded or crammed with debris or the like.
Most body types are obvious on the mid 50s types. They only made one fordor, one convertible, and one wagon. The tudor had three or four different types if I remember correctly. Any other changes were upper or lower trim levels on the different body types like customline, mainline, crestline, etc. I would have to assume that you want to know the trim level and what type of running gear it had when new. PS: I forgot the 2dr wagon types so add that in there too. Last edited by rotorwrench; 11-30-2018 at 01:39 PM. |
11-30-2018, 09:40 PM | #9 | ||||
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Re: Breaking Into An Open 55 Ford
First, thank you to all who have replied.
Second, I do have PB Blaster which I use when things are rusted. I didn’t think this was a rust issue so I went with WD40. I’ll be using whatever it takes, including elbow grease, to get things moving. Quote:
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12-01-2018, 01:41 AM | #10 |
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Re: Breaking Into An Open 55 Ford
You lost me there. If you already know it is a 4 dr Customline, that IS the trim level, or am I missing something.
The models in order are Fairlane, Customline, and Mainline. The Fairlane Crown Victoria is the only special trim level I know of. Maybe I am not understanding what you want to know. |
12-01-2018, 12:11 PM | #11 |
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Re: Breaking Into An Open 55 Ford
That tag should indicate type of engine and transmission it had too. It may also have the colors of paint and trim if it's like other year models I'm more familiar with. The door has to be opened anyway just to use the car.
If the latch control arm connected to the door handle assembly is pulling the mechanism and it is still not releasing, the star wheel may be frozen in place due to excessive wear or corrosion. Getting a good penetrant in the latch assembly is a must. If you pull on the handle and apply pressure with a porta-power from the opposite side B-pillar it might move it. Just don't get carried away without good support of the load bearing areas. Jiggling the door in and out may get it to free up. It's going to be a challenge but you should be able to get it open as long as the latch is releasing the star wheel. |
12-02-2018, 11:26 AM | #12 | ||
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Re: Breaking Into An Open 55 Ford
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1955 Customline 4dr, 292 2bbl, 3sp |
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12-02-2018, 12:43 PM | #13 | |
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Re: Breaking Into An Open 55 Ford
Quote:
Both links go to the same document, I wasn't sure which would work better so I included them both. https://thecvaonline.com/howtos/DataPlateDecoder.pdf https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...W092ayUQXnYQzY |
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12-10-2018, 07:55 PM | #14 | |
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Re: Breaking Into An Open 55 Ford
Quote:
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1955 Customline 4dr, 292 2bbl, 3sp |
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12-10-2018, 07:57 PM | #15 |
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Re: Breaking Into An Open 55 Ford
I successfully got the door open Sunday. It took a while because of work, weather and whatever is “going around” dropped by for a visit. Prior to Sunday I was able to spray on some PB Blaster (to go along with the WD40 from earlier), but I can’t say which one ultimately loosened things up enough to free up the mechanism.
For future reference . . . access to spray was mostly easy. The inner door handle to just about the door jamb is only covered by the interior door panel (not within the door skin) – so the handle mechanism and pivots were essentially out in the open. Next I was able to spray the mechanism inside the door jamb by squirting through the rectangular opening above the rear pivot (see pic). And, I was able to spray the outer door handle’s inner workings by squirting through the hole where the lock button pops up. But that is only possible if the inner window frame is off. With that done I put eyes on my data plate (see pic). I now know what the car was like when it left the Dallas factory on July 15th – less than 3 months before I left “the factory”(a.k.a. womb). The exterior color was “Buckskin Brown” – the light color below the data plate looks like Buckskin Brown. The interior was white vinyl and “Dark Copper bodycloth”. Being curious I googled “1955 Ford Buckskin Brown” to see what whole car might have looked like and I lucked out and found some pics and a model on eBay of the same car and color (see pic). While the data plate doesn’t mention it I wonder if the white top was the way it came. I like the white top look on these older cars. Thanks for the input guys.
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12-10-2018, 09:39 PM | #16 | |
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Re: Breaking Into An Open 55 Ford
Quote:
Scroll down to the lower half of page 5 at this link (same one I posted above) the color code letters for a Buckskin Brown body with a white top would be KE. But it doesn't stop you from painting the top any way you like. https://thecvaonline.com/howtos/DataPlateDecoder.pdf . Last edited by dmsfrr; 12-11-2018 at 12:02 AM. |
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