door handle question

[Don Jordan]

I know I'm probably running out of my question quota ... but just one more:

I'm now doing all the little petty things. The big stuff is finished. Is there some where I can buy the little pins for the door handles? I have used nails, cotter pins but there has to be a better way.

thanks

[Andydodge]

As far as I know these are called roll pins and should be available at any good engineering supplies shop.......having said that, I'm gunna be in the market for some myself when the 40 Ford handles I have ordered arrive.......lol.......thanks for the reminder, Don.........andyd

[billwillard]

easy to find but easiest way is ford parts guys. Dennis Carpenter is one that comes to mind. I know a few of you are going to question weather I have a mind or not.

Bill

[Frank Elder]

Roll pins at home depot, ace, menards.........

[Plymouthy Adams]

if you decide to use roll pin, remember they are supposed to just float in the hole with the echusion holding it in the hole..installing and removing any friction held pin will be ver hard..

cut a nail the correct length and diameter is by far the better way out unless you happen to have a weld rod that diameter..

[BobT-47P15]

Tim, aren't the original window and door handle pins slightly tapered?

I will say my escutcheons have been holding my pins in place for years....

that system does work.

[BobT-47P15]

Funny part is = I don't have any springs behind my handles due to the thickness

of the masonite door panels. But, nonetheless, the things have stayed.

[40phil41]

The pins on my '40 and '41 are straight, solid (not roll pins) and have a small chamfer on each end.

Phil

[DonaldSmith]

My door handle pins were almost impossible to re-install becasue the escucheons are spring loaded, and the holes in the handle and shaft are elongated. I couldn't push the escucheon back and insert the pins completely through the hole of the shaft into hole on the other side of the handle.

So I got some hobby-type copper tubing from Ace that is the same outside diameter as the original pins. Then I found a nail size to just fits the inside diameter of the tubing (after the nail points are filed down).

I cut some tubing and some nails the same length as the original pins. And I kept a nail or two the original length.

To install the handle, I install a tube on a long nail. I push the handle on,

and run the nail completely through the handle holes. The length of the nail gives me some leverage to get the nail through the opposite hole of the handle.

Then I work the tube completely into the hole. I remove the long nail, while the tube keeps the handle on. Then I insert a short length of nail into the tube, to stiffen it.

[Plymouthy Adams]

hemostats work wonders for this type of work...

[40phil41]

My upholstery guy explained his trick to get the pins back in. Take a pointed awl and insert it half way into the hole from the bottom. This will help hold the spring in. Then insert the pin from the top (held with a pair of long nose pliers) and when it is part way in gradually pull the awl out as you push the pin in. Harder to explain than actually do.

Phil

[old woolie]

Needle bearings from an old u-joint will work.

[Don Jordan]

I've got everything ready - now I've got to find the springs.

If anyone is still reading this thread:

another question:

you know the piece of chrome on the garnish molding? I have 2 that have 4 posts and 2 holes for screws - 2 just have the 4 posts.

What holds them on. All this was apart when I got the car. I'm going to check the parts book to see what they say but it's weird there are two different configurations.