1940 fordor door handle

[fortyman]

There is a small gap on one side between the exterior door handle base to the car. The 1940 ford fordor door handles have a screw in the threaded hole in the handle base. When I tighten the screw it pulls the base flush to the car but handle won't release on its own. Is it too tight or is that the way it is supposed to work?

[Ken/Alabama]

Might try oiling the latch. The handle should spring back.

[Kube]

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Originally Posted by fortyman

There is a small gap on one side between the exterior door handle base to the car. The 1940 ford fordor door handles have a screw in the threaded hole in the handle base. When I tighten the screw it pulls the base flush to the car but handle won't release on its own. Is it too tight or is that the way it is supposed to work?

Are you 100% certain that you have the correct length handle shaft? If it's too long, there's a possibility it is pressing against the door panel.
You should probably check both the latch and the remote control to be 100% certain none of the springs are broken. The one in the remote is very often broken.

If all springs are intact, I'd suggest either the handle (shaft) is bent a bit or there is something amiss with the door. IE: poor body work beneath the paint , build up of bondo, etc.
Simply by placing the handle in the door, it should lay quite parallel to the sheet metal.