Convertible Door Lock Escutcheon????

[38convsedan]

Trying to install door lock escutcheons on my ‘38 cs.
As shown in photos, there is a half circle notch in door panel to accept the escutcheon, and a hole for the top screw on door frame.
What’s baffling is the bottom hole of escutcheon lines up with the door handle shaft as it protrudes through door frame.
Question: How is bottom portion of escutcheon secured to door frame and/or door panel?

As always…thank you in advance!
Steve

[Kube]

The bottom is secured first with the nut. It is reverse thread and threads on to the end of the door handle shaft. Then to lock that nut in place, one screw is installed against the face of the nut.
The top is secured with a screw which, at least from your photo, is missing.
I'm not certain this escutcheon will work well with the way your door panel has been fitted. The door panel should line up with the edge of the door, the escutcheon should then align with the door panel.

[38convsedan]

How is the screw installed against the face of the nut? Is it a reverse thread screw that threads in from the outside of door panel? The screw included with the kit is smaller in diameter.

I agree with your assessment of the door panel openings for the escutcheons. They all appear to cover the opening needed for that bottom screw…
I’m certainly leery of trying to enlarge door panel.. it maybe the escutcheons end up being optional…

[Kube]

Originally Posted by 38convsedan

How is the screw installed against the face of the nut? Is it a reverse thread screw that threads in from the outside of door panel? The screw included with the kit is smaller in diameter.

I agree with your assessment of the door panel openings for the escutcheons. They all appear to cover the opening needed for that bottom screw…
I’m certainly leery of trying to enlarge door panel.. it maybe the escutcheons end up being optional…

The nut in your photo is reverse thread and gets threaded over the end of the door handle shaft.
The screw gets twisted into the very end of the door handle shaft once that special nut is in place.

You should have two screws. Only the bottom hole in the escutcheon utilizes that special nut.

I am unable to determine whether or not you have the correct door handle from your photos. The correct handle has the last 1/2" or so of the shaft threaded. There is also a threaded female hole on the very end of the shaft.

I have attached a photo of a '40 club convertible that utilizes the identical escutcheon even though the outer handle has a different appearance than yours.
From this photo you should easily see how the escutcheon is fit to the door and how the door panel should fit.

[38convsedan]

Kube—thanks for your info and photo.
I must not have the correct door handles as mine are just an unthreaded square shaft that somewhat protrudes beyond the locking mechanism.
So convertibles/phaetons have unique door handles…sounds like a parts search is about to begin…..

[Kube]

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Originally Posted by 38convsedan

Kube—thanks for your info and photo.
I must not have the correct door handles as mine are just an unthreaded square shaft that somewhat protrudes beyond the locking mechanism.
So convertibles/phaetons have unique door handles…sounds like a parts search is about to begin…..

It may be easier to locate convertible door handles that are beat up but have the proper shaft intact. Cut the shaft off the donor and weld it to the (cut off) shaft of your handle.
Worse coming to worse? Drake made '40 handles that while were incorrect, did have the correct shaft. Buy a pair of those for the shafts.

[Don Rogers]

The correct outside door handle will have a threaded end on it as shown in my diagram. This threaded end fits the special bolt. If the handle has an internal thread then you will need an extra 350142-S13 screw.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Don Rogers

The correct outside door handle will have a threaded end on it as shown in my diagram. This threaded end fits the special bolt. If the handle has an internal thread then you will need an extra 350142-S13 screw.

[38convsedan]

Thanks for the info.
So if I can find a left hand die to match the reverse threaded bolt, add correct sized reverse threads to my existing door handle shafts, then tap the center of the shaft to accept the retaining screw, I’ll be all set.

[Karl Wescott]

Mcmaster-Carr 2645A81

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Karl Wescott

Mcmaster-Carr 2645A81

Link > https://www.mcmaster.com/2645A81/

High-Speed Steel Screw Thread Die

1" OD, 3/8"-24 UNF Left-Hand Thread

$33.09 Each

In stock
2645A81

[38convsedan]

Thanks guys.

[glennpm]

Here is a Closeup of my 40's escutcheon

[38convsedan]

Thanks for the photo showing detail of lower mounting nut and screw.

The door handle shafts on my car (which are from a closed car) are not long enough to engage the reverse threaded nut, which has a 1/4” shoulder.
I’m guessing convertible door handle shafts were a bit longer…

[38 coupe]

Just to provide another picture for reference here is how it looks on my car, please be aware I am not saying this is 100% correct (the cloth interior is very wrong for example).

[38 coupe]

Another thought, since the outside door handle shaft is square, can you take square stock, turn the end in a lathe, drill the end, cut the reverse threads (either with the die or single point on the lathe), tap the internal threads, cut the closed car shaft down, cut the square stock to length, and weld the machined end on the closed car shaft?
Pretty much what Kube was suggesting but without having to find 1940 handles first?
or
If authenticity isn't a big concern, will 1940 handles fit a 1938 car?

[38convsedan]

38 Coupe…thanks for the photos and your input.
I was wondering the same thing about swapping in reproduction ‘40 convertible door handles…not sure they will fit ‘38 door openings…
Does anyone know??

[38 coupe]

I think the spacing where the handles fasten to the door is the same for 37-40, and maybe other years, but I could be wrong. One change is the 1940 handles cover the fasteners when the handle is up while the 1938 handles have exposed fasteners. I don't think that is a very big difference operationally since I have always pulled down on the handle when installing them for easy access to the front fastener.

[Karl Wescott]

Originally Posted by 38convsedan

38 Coupe…thanks for the photos and your input.
I was wondering the same thing about swapping in reproduction ‘40 convertible door handles…not sure they will fit ‘38 door openings…
Does anyone know??

Short answer = NO (without modifications to the door). 1937-39 attached to the outer skin with two screws, 1940 had a socket in the outer skin the handle inserted into and was held in place with a set screw.


For shaft extension material, our go-to Mcmaster-Carr lists 3/8 square key way stock https://www.mcmaster.com/98830A538.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by 38 coupe

Another thought, since the outside door handle shaft is square, can you take square stock, turn the end in a lathe, drill the end, cut the reverse threads (either with the die or single point on the lathe), tap the internal threads, cut the closed car shaft down, cut the square stock to length, and weld the machined end on the closed car shaft?
Pretty much what Kube was suggesting but without having to find 1940 handles first?
or
If authenticity isn't a big concern, will 1940 handles fit a 1938 car?

I'd only suggested obtaining a pair of donor '40 handles as most guys don't have access to a small lathe to do this type of work. Even those that do have a small lathe would find cutting reverse threads can be challenging.

As Karl had stated, the '40 handles won't work with your car without considerable modification.