Door Striker Plate

[Dobie Gillis]

Anybody know what size clutch head screwdriver bit fits the screws that hold the door latch striker plate to the pillar? Mine are kinda buggered up from POs using regular screw drivers on 'em. I can't get 'em tight enough to keep 'em from shifting. '55 Merc, Ford is likely the same.

[40cpe]

I don't know the number of the driver head, I just call it "the big one". My car came to me with black shims that would separate and let the striker move. Then If found these shims.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NORS-Fomoco...2/251255599954

They have so far kept the strike in place.

[Dobie Gillis]

Thx, 40cpe, those are on the menu, as well as new screws. I just need to find the right size clutch head bit for my impact driver.

[Daves55Sedan]

Some of the '55 cars had an "hourglass" head countersunk screw and some had a large phillips head screw depending upon which body plant it came from.
I would recommend not trying to use a straight blade screwdriver if you have the hourglass type screws. Some of the repro parts suppliers used to sell the Hourglass screwdriver, but I have not seen them lately. I have had one since the '70's and got plenty of use out of it over the decades. I got mine at a local auto parts store, but I doubt they still sell em.

[frank long island]

i have a snapon head the number on it is f30 i used it for my 55 merc wagon

[Daves55Sedan]

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It should not be necessary to use an impact driver on these striker plate screws. The striker plates are supposed to have composite shims that fit between the striker and door jamb. Those composite shims will squeeze down a little bit and the screws have a star washer on the countersunk head. Both those things help keep the striker from loosening up and getting out of adjustment. Using plenty of force by hand with the right screwdriver should keep your strikers from ever moving.

[Dobie Gillis]

Thx fellas. Ace Hardware has 'em for online order but ya gotta buy a whole set. I just need 1... I'll check the auto parts stores but I'm not holding my breath.

[JeffB2]

Originally Posted by Dobie Gillis

Thx fellas. Ace Hardware has 'em for online order but ya gotta buy a whole set. I just need 1... I'll check the auto parts stores but I'm not holding my breath.

Or just ditch the old clutch heads for these: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-Mercur...kAAOSwqxddSaql Ace came up empty on the larger clutch head bit for me it seems the smaller size ones are primarily used for the sheet metal exteriors on mobile homes and campers.

[Dobie Gillis]

I just ordered 'em. Thanks, Jeff!

[down-the-road]

Vintage Trailer Supply website shows a set of bits in stock.

https://vintagetrailersupply.com/clu...-of-4-vts-578/

Does this look like the correct tool?

[Dobie Gillis]

Yup, that's the right tool but I'm going with the Phillips head screws Jeff suggested.

[56sedandelivery]

Originally Posted by JeffB2

Or just ditch the old clutch heads for these: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-Mercur...kAAOSwqxddSaql Ace came up empty on the larger clutch head bit for me it seems the smaller size ones are primarily used for the sheet metal exteriors on mobile homes and campers.

These are what I got and work perfect. I ended up replacing the entire plate, spacer and bolts. Previous owner had some mickey mouse two part plates. Not the two part that came in 56 but something different.

[Daves55Sedan]

The Philips head screws on epay which are offered by Dennis Carpenter appear to be exact duplicates of the factory Philips head screws used by some of the body fabricators at that time. My guess is that car show judges would have no way of knowing if the car originally had the hourglass screwheads or the Philips screwheads, therefore would not be able to take points off for using these.

[Dobie Gillis]

No worries there, I don't compete in shows for points. Best I've ever done was a free barbecue sammich...

[Daves55Sedan]

Originally Posted by Dobie Gillis

No worries there, I don't compete in shows for points.

Ha....my cars run away from shows all by themselves.