Author Topic: Dang Broken Convertible Top Frame Latch Bracket!!  (Read 2980 times)

Offline bryancobb

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Dang Broken Convertible Top Frame Latch Bracket!!
« on: January 26, 2012, 10:00:08 AM »
Anybody got one of these?

Mine was cracked 75% through.
66 Metuch Conv
Nightmist, Std Blu Int
6T08C223904    76A       K         22       15c     21      6        6
                      BODY  COLOR   TRIM    DATE   DSO   AXLE  XMSN
   C/O  785                                   (rotation #)
   16    C14   6T08C223904        (weld bay 16, bucked MAR 14)

Offline C5ZZ

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Re: Dang Broken Convertible Top Frame Latch Bracket!!
« Reply #1 on: February 19, 2012, 12:49:16 AM »
One of the salvage yards I go to has a few convertibles,
I'm trying to picture where that goes.
Leave me a PM with details and I can check on it for you.
MCA # 00945

65 Fastback, 6 cyl, AT, AC, PS, PB
Rangoon Red/Red Interior

Offline 68 S Code

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Re: Dang Broken Convertible Top Frame Latch Bracket!!
« Reply #2 on: February 19, 2012, 10:45:07 PM »
Its going to be real tough to get this out of a bone yard because the top would have to be ripped off to get at it. Then you have to try to take out a number of fasteners (large phillips head screws) a spring and the truss bolt to get it out as a complete latching assembly. If its a 64 1/2 the truss bolt is a pin which you need a press for. Bryon try to JB weld first. Should do the trick. If not I may have a spare. Which side is this? Going from memory but I think its drivers side? I think you can get these on Ebay because Dynacorn is now repoping the frames. I dont think they are cheap though. I broke one during reassembly after it was all cleaned and painted. Wanted to scream! I'm now very careful using a drift and wood blocks when I'm removing or driving in the pins.
« Last Edit: February 19, 2012, 10:54:18 PM by 68 S Code »

Offline bryancobb

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Re: Dang Broken Convertible Top Frame Latch Bracket!!
« Reply #3 on: February 20, 2012, 06:44:56 AM »
It's for the passenger side, thanks. 
66 Metuch Conv
Nightmist, Std Blu Int
6T08C223904    76A       K         22       15c     21      6        6
                      BODY  COLOR   TRIM    DATE   DSO   AXLE  XMSN
   C/O  785                                   (rotation #)
   16    C14   6T08C223904        (weld bay 16, bucked MAR 14)

Offline Oz390

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Re: Dang Broken Convertible Top Frame Latch Bracket!!
« Reply #4 on: February 20, 2012, 07:09:14 AM »
That bracket takes a lof of stess.  I doubt JB weld would hold, for long...  an alternative might be drilling and driving a roll pin in to hold the broken part, then solder and file (as I don't think you can "weld" zinc) but its a small part and that may be real tough to do...
8R03S : 76A I 2A 15M 72 5 U
8R01S : 65A B 2A 28M 72 7 5 - Factory GT
8R01C : 65A M 2A 01E 72 2 W - Cal Special
8F01X : 65A I 2A 2G 20E 24 1 U - EXP500 repli-bute

Offline bryancobb

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Re: Dang Broken Convertible Top Frame Latch Bracket!!
« Reply #5 on: February 20, 2012, 08:42:45 AM »
That part that's broken off is cantelevered out in space and is unsupported too.  It's strong enough if everything is adjusting and working right, but when a convertible starts leaking around the front, the first thing people do is tighten up the hooks and that breaks (or cracks) these things.

No way JB weld will hold.  I considered TIGging it but I don't even think that would work.

Richard, you described the one you sent EXACTLY!  I wasn't complaining.  It just threw up question marks about how it came to life.

I called an investment casting company and asked if they could use my existing one instead of wax, to dip in the slurry.  He said yes, but they fire the ceramic at 2700 F or so, and it would cause all kind of problems at that temperature, trying to preserve my metal.  He suggested I use my part to make a silicone female mold for pouring one.

Sounds pretty simple but I don't want to do it if I don't have to.  He did tell me the right product to buy to make the mold.  We poured aluminum castings in High School 30 years ago.  Mostly sand-castings.
66 Metuch Conv
Nightmist, Std Blu Int
6T08C223904    76A       K         22       15c     21      6        6
                      BODY  COLOR   TRIM    DATE   DSO   AXLE  XMSN
   C/O  785                                   (rotation #)
   16    C14   6T08C223904        (weld bay 16, bucked MAR 14)

Offline dave6768

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Re: Dang Broken Convertible Top Frame Latch Bracket!!
« Reply #6 on: February 20, 2012, 01:41:55 PM »
Draw it up and take the drawing and part to a local machine shop and have it made out of steel.  8)

Dave

Offline bryancobb

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Re: Dang Broken Convertible Top Frame Latch Bracket!!
« Reply #7 on: February 20, 2012, 05:35:46 PM »
The idea is to have the REAL FoMoCo part just like it came new.  Mustang parts houses sell the Chinese repops for $150/pr.

66 Metuch Conv
Nightmist, Std Blu Int
6T08C223904    76A       K         22       15c     21      6        6
                      BODY  COLOR   TRIM    DATE   DSO   AXLE  XMSN
   C/O  785                                   (rotation #)
   16    C14   6T08C223904        (weld bay 16, bucked MAR 14)

Offline dave6768

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Re: Dang Broken Convertible Top Frame Latch Bracket!!
« Reply #8 on: February 20, 2012, 08:57:50 PM »
Sorry, just forgot for a minute what forum I was on  :P

Offline bryancobb

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Re: Dang Broken Convertible Top Frame Latch Bracket!!
« Reply #9 on: February 20, 2012, 08:59:08 PM »
 ;D  We're a wierd lot here...we are! 
66 Metuch Conv
Nightmist, Std Blu Int
6T08C223904    76A       K         22       15c     21      6        6
                      BODY  COLOR   TRIM    DATE   DSO   AXLE  XMSN
   C/O  785                                   (rotation #)
   16    C14   6T08C223904        (weld bay 16, bucked MAR 14)