Need source for these DUAL window regulator springs

[Detonator]

Pulled the passenger side regulator out of my '38 woodie and discovered my problem: the spring was broken. Being a woodie, it's an oddball regulator -- and uses a dual coil spring. I've checked with Regulator Roy, Riley Auto, C&G, All Ford, CW Moss, etc etc -- and come up empty.


Anyone know of a source for these dual springs?


Thanks

[deuce lover]

Basically you need to find a unit and strip it.None being repoped.Looks like the same as certain models 32-34. Sent you a PM to one available

[Terry,OH]

I have been going through the same problem for months. Post a wanted ad for the spring or try to find another regulator with the spring to remove. As deuce lover suggest there are several other ford regulators that use the double helix spring. I personally believe all the Ford regulators that used the double helix spring have identical springs. It would appear to me the broken spring you pictured is installed up side down.

[Brian]

My mates 38 woodie uses the same regulator as 35-36 fordor rear door regulator. Should make it somewhat easier to find a complete unit...

[Detonator]

Originally Posted by Brian

My mates 38 woodie uses the same regulator as 35-36 fordor rear door regulator. Should make it somewhat easier to find a complete unit...

The panel is the same as the 35-36 -- but the arms, angles, crankshaft, track studs are all different. I've already gone the fordor route... mine is totally savable, just need the spring.


Deuce Lover -- merci, cet homme habite près de moi

[Flathead Fever]

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I've never seen a spring like that. Would it be possible to install individual springs if you modified the regulator so each spring had something to hook to like the '32-'33 in this picture? Maybe TIG weld two pieces to the regulator so you did mess up the regulator to where it could not be put back to original again. I think it would work.

[RalphM]

That’s what I was thinking.

[Detonator]

My spring in the photo IS upside down, I'm thinking that may have contributed to the force needed to crank the window up. The spring was fighting me -- for years.


There are actually TWO tangs, if you look at the photo, on the backing plate. So it makes me wonder if two springs would work. It seems the tangs are positioned to accommodate a couple of springs.

[Mart]

I was also thinking if it were me I'd try and adapt it to two springs. Unless a double spring turns up, obviously.
Sometimes it's better to just fix something by whatever means possible, so you can move on to the next job. Fixating over one small piece can stall a job if you're not careful.

Mart.

[DavidG]

All but early original '32 passenger car door window regulators had the double, connected springs.


Flathead fever,

With respect, that's a reproduction '33 regulator in your photo, not a '32.

[Flathead Fever]

[QUOTE=DavidG;1732376]All but early original '32 passenger car door window regulators had the double, connected springs.


Flathead fever,

With respect, that's a reproduction '33 regulator in your photo, not a '32.

I don't have a clue? That's what the site said I borrowed the photo off of. I just wanted to illustrate the two separate springs.

You are Mr. '32 Ford. I'm always impressed with your knowledge. You remind me of my dad. I went and saw him in the nursing home yesterday and showed him a bunch of flathead photos. Old Fords is the only thing he ever cared about. He was a hard core Model A restorer in the late 1950s to the 1970s. Back when you could still take apart cars that had never been touched. You could buy just about any part NOS in the 1960s. What happened to the old Ford's being the poor-mans collector car?

[DavidG]

They're quite similar, but the six clinch nuts on the '32 regulator are noticeably longer.

[Dak Rat]

I had the same problem with my '32 sedan regulators. I fabricated another tab and welded it to the regulator and used two of the common single regulator springs. Works perfectly and the window glass doesn't know the difference. problem solved.

[Terry,OH]

The original 33 regulator did have the double spring. When Vintique reproduced the regulator they modified the regulator for two springs so it is possible to modify an original regulator. If there were no double springs available, but they are available. Just a bit of searching to find one. Bill at the Early Ford Store in San Dimas, CA had some he was holding onto a year ago.

[rotorwrench]

There are some manufacturers of clock springs that could copy about anything but they may require a run of a certain number of pieces to pay for set up. Most are wound by a machine so the set up may not be too god awful expensive. A person would have to come up with a sample to reverse engineer it by so as to get the best spring rate and tension. It's too bad that one of the reproduction parts companies hasn't tried to do this yet with a dual spring. This is definitely a niche market though. Most likely figure it isn't worth the effort.

[mfirth]

Two springs with an stud/post sounds o k to me. I life cycle tested window reg.'s for Ford in the 70s and scrapped LOTS of springs. Wish i'd kept a few . More than 1 person would love to have em. Ah the view from the rear view.........wish you well! m

[Flathead Fever]

I found you a spring on eBay but its connected to the entire regulator. Which is probably the only way your going to get one. It would be a $78.00 spring with shipping and probably break the frist time you rolled up the window.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1933-1934-F...CAX:rk:41:pf:0

[rotorwrench]

Corrosion can kill a spring due to the pitting acting as stress risers. If it isn't too rusty it will work for a while. Another alternative would be to rivet a bridge between two separate springs but drilling the rivet holes might require some really good drill bits.

[woodiewagon46]

True, that they do not reproduce that spring. Your only hope is to sort thru various regulators and come up with something close. I know it's a ways off, but I've seen milk crates full of various regulators at HERSHEY. Knowing how Ford worked, your spring might be used on another model vehicle.

[Detonator]

Originally Posted by Flathead Fever

I found you a spring on eBay but its connected to the entire regulator. Which is probably the only way your going to get one. It would be a $78.00 spring with shipping and probably break the frist time you rolled up the window

Hahaha. My kinda luck. With a heads-up from another Barner I found another regulator on eBay, it's a junker but had the dual spring. Price was twenty bucks. This one you found looks "too nice to cut up..."