Bern Pearson Posted January 6, 2020 Report Posted January 6, 2020 I have a 1948 Plymouth Super Deluxe Coupe. The driver's door is very hard to close. The car was restored to a high standard, but appears to have parts from several cars. The striker plate (?) on the drive's door (see photo) appears to miss the mating piece by about half an inch. If I could put spacers in and get longer screws then it appears the door will operate normally. All the hardware appears to be new. The "original" screws are 5/8 long and 3/16 in diameter. That is the one on the left pictured in my hand. The one on the right was bought off the internet as a "direct" fit. it is substantially larger. Another screw from the hardware store (not pictured) appears to be the same thread but is 1/4 in diameter. Does anyone know a source for a screw that will fit that is half an inch or so longer? Thank you for your responses. The forum helped a lot with my gas tank and gage problem, which are all fixed now. Kind regards, Bern Pearson Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted January 6, 2020 Report Posted January 6, 2020 if you do not have a well stocked hardware store, try Restoration Specialties...they have these special oval head screws and beveled lock washers... Quote
Sniper Posted January 7, 2020 Report Posted January 7, 2020 Did you mean to say you need 5/16" not 3/16"? Quote
Bern Pearson Posted January 7, 2020 Author Report Posted January 7, 2020 I have the screw right here and the diameter is 3/16. Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted January 7, 2020 Report Posted January 7, 2020 that is going to be the equiv of a #12 screw....odds are is 12-24....the 1/4 inch can be known as that or a 14....you in luck as Lowes stock 12-24 ovals in couple lengths in stainless steel Quote
Bern Pearson Posted January 7, 2020 Author Report Posted January 7, 2020 Thank you. I have to visit Lowes tomorrow. Also, found some good candidates at http://stores.restorationspecialties.com/s-s-slotted-phillips-oval-head-machine-screws/. Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted January 7, 2020 Report Posted January 7, 2020 (edited) I use Restoration Specialties when I need to but as I am often at a couple chains stores I make a list of needed hardware and try to one-stop-shop as best I can. Reason I know Lowes (at least ours and both hardware stores) carry 12-24 is because I was searching for an oval head stainless in fine thread 12-28...also they DID NOT carry anything stainless in 1/4-28, luckily I kept digging in my stuff here and found a box of 12's and 7 1/4-28, I only need 4 of these. Edited January 7, 2020 by Plymouthy Adams Quote
Sniper Posted January 7, 2020 Report Posted January 7, 2020 3/16 works out to a #10. https://www.boltdepot.com/fastener-information/machine-screws/machine-screw-diameter.aspx Either 10-32 or 10-24 as the two most common ones. Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted January 7, 2020 Report Posted January 7, 2020 12-24 is very much common through out the older mopar bodies in door hardware, dash and other machine screw applications....these are the very size on my Plymouth.... as there seems to be conflicting screw data posted and I do not have you piece in hand, suggest when going to the store to carry your sample screw or the very latch you are trying to mount... Quote
JerseyHarold Posted January 7, 2020 Report Posted January 7, 2020 See if there is a Fastenal store near you. The have a huge variety of fasteners and will probably have the size/style you need. Their website is Fastenal.com . Quote
Andydodge Posted January 7, 2020 Report Posted January 7, 2020 Also a tip when looking for door lock striker plates and hardware, especially for a Coupe body is that items from a 4 door sedan will offer another possibility .........Coupes only have a front door.......the opposite side rear door from a 4dr sedan if the rear doors are of the suicide style generally be identical to the opposite front, ie, drivers side front door and passenger side rear door should be identical.......which makes it sometimes easier chasing the parts on ebay............or if finding a 4dr sedan in a wrecking yard the rear door parts maybe worth getting for your coupe and may not have had anywhere near the use that your coupe doors had....................andyd Quote
RobertKB Posted January 7, 2020 Report Posted January 7, 2020 (edited) I have used Restoration Specialties many times. When in doubt about a certain item I need, I send them a sample and they always seem able to match it. I have always got the sample I sent back as well. They are a good company for the old car hobby and worth supporting. They have an excellent online catalogue. Edited January 7, 2020 by RobertKB Quote
Bern Pearson Posted January 7, 2020 Author Report Posted January 7, 2020 The local Lowe's hardware section had no #12 screws. They had places for them, but no inventory. The only 12/24, which turned out to be the correct size...thanks...was at Home Depot and was 1 1/2 long, which, amazingly, goes in far enough. Many thanks for all the help. (I had forgotten about Fastenal, which is available locally.) Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted January 7, 2020 Report Posted January 7, 2020 My last couple times into the local Lowes has found the specialty hardware drawer severely lacking in choice and inventory....but I still give them a look. I make my list ahead of time as best I can so when out and near x store, it is just a minute out of my way to check and no special trip made. Glad you found some workable hardware.... Quote
jgreg53 Posted January 8, 2020 Report Posted January 8, 2020 You should make sure the door's not sagging causing the missalignment Quote
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