Topic: 67 Fastback Fold Down Trap Door Latch and Catch Discussion

[67gta289]

Since this is related to the trap door discussion, I'll add here rather than create a new post.  If it would be better to split off, that is ok with me.

Question 1 first, regarding the latch hardware (bolts)

It appears that when I did my first "restoration" back in 1981 I did not replace the latch bolts with the originals, so I'm looking for direction on style and finish, as would have been done at SJ in December of 66.

NPD has the 45704-2K kit which seems reasonable.  But when looking at various unrestored car pics it looks like they should be zinc plated.  Any comments on this?

[J_Speegle]

Question 1 first, regarding the latch hardware (bolts)

It appears that when I did my first "restoration" back in 1981 I did not replace the latch bolts with the originals, so I'm looking for direction on style and finish, as would have been done at SJ in December of 66.

This is what I've always seen on unrestored 67 San Jose examples (posted a number of times in other threads. Believe the zinc ones you recall were likely on "restored" cars and likely not original. Ones I did find that used zinc bolts all had been repainted at least in the trunk, had other hardware plated incorrectly and sometimes had 68 trunk lid hinges  After looking through allot of examples it appears that at some point reproduction hardware suppliers or owner/restorers just started copying late 66 fastback latch hardware. Maybe it was the only available thing available in that retail space or came with the latch kits (included) 

The ones below appear to match (the finish ) of the rest of the hardware used to mount or hinge both fold down and non- fold down trap doors that year



66 Trap door latch examples. Notice the bolt head design is different also when compared to 67 version



Note: As usual only looked at unrestored cars and cars without the trunk repainted examples






7R1518xx




7R2071xxx




More - At a point I got tired of recording and collecting data since they all were coming up the same - lots and lots of pictures to go through.







 So I finally just focused on Dec 66 San Jose production and offer the three examples shown below..

 

Hope this helps

[67gta289]

Thanks Jeff. Regarding Q1 it looks like I have screws like 7R1518xx.  They include toothed washers.   The 7R2071xx ones look to have a much larger flat washer, possibly part of the head. 

For the latch itself, if you are thinking that it is, or isn’t, zinc plated.  If not what finish would you think is correct?

[J_Speegle]

Thanks Jeff. Regarding Q1 it looks like I have screws like 7R1518xx.  They include toothed washers.   The 7R2071xx ones look to have a much larger flat washer, possibly part of the head. 

Comparing a couple of the best pictures as you did.  Looks like two different (slightly) different head sizes bot the same finish and believe both were bolts since there are thread inserts in the door. Believe both version have the flared/washer based head on the bolt

For the latch itself, if you are thinking that it is, or isn’t, zinc plated.  If not what finish would you think is correct?

Gone back and forth myself on the original finish. Have some that looked more galvanized (not heavy pattern like trunk lid or door latches but its a much smaller sectioned piece except for the back side) while others have a more uniform finish as a dull clear/bright zinc. Of course all are aged so it makes it more difficult to be certain

Don't have any 67 ones currently to look at or to test for the original plating. 7R2071xx example sure looks more like a dull zinc or cad now after all these years. Like the examples of the 66's

[jwc66k]

55589-S2

[67gta289]

Jeff,

The latch and striker pictures below are the originals from my car.  Back in 1981 I simply removed them and later reinstalled.  Recently I thought that the screws were incorrect, and that I might have used a substitute if the originals were lost, but I'm second guessing that now.  The screws do have a flared washer type head, plus tooth washers underneath that can't be seen from the top. 

The 55589-S2 reference (thanks Jim) aligns perfectly with what I have, including the tooth washer shown in the diagram.  Picture included also.

These don't look galvanized at all, and they are very dull.  Before running the screws through cleanup, I would say P&O (plus years of grime)

[Bossbill]

Merged from another thread, which was then deleted.

I was taking apart my fold down to get to the chrome pieces. I pulled off the rear catch and from a very small sample on the back  I surmise the finish to be bright cad.  Do note that the item with the 4 bolts is the latch and it makes contact with the catch.

Can we verify that it and screws are bright cad?

[Bossbill]

Jim's reply:

No, we can't. To 1/17/67, the screw was 55589-S2. From 1/17/67, it is 381766-S2. Both the "before" and "after" are phosphate and oil. The striker probably had a regular cadmium plating finish, not bright, but time will dull a finish.
Ref: 1967 Mustang Body Assembly Manual, AM0016 pg46 (N7-8710-2).
Jim

[Bossbill]

I threw in the screws comment after I got back in the house. I was going to ask about just the catch.
The assy manuals are in the shop.

So thanks for looking into that, Jim, and straightening that out.

Kind of an odd mix of parts. Chrome, S2 and Cad

[Bossbill]

After I merged my posts with this thread I noticed John's pic of his catch plate and his Phillip screws.


Interesting is that the screws used on his catch plate are the same screws used on mine.
I do understand that the 381766-S2 is called out in the Assy Manual and verified what Jim was noting in his reply. The 381766 is a hex head screw. I have Phillip head screws.

But now we have 2 cars with what I think is the 52734-S13 Phillips screw.

There are two tabs on the upholstered seat panel which becomes the backrest when flipped into the seat position. These tabs have 2 screws that goes through them to hold the seat panel onto the metal back panel.
These screws are the 52734-s13 of which I have 4.
Two for the seat back and two for the catch.
I noticed this as I was sorting screws to refinish.

It's possible the catch screws were replaced. But it's more than circumstantial that they were replaced with the exact same screws that hold the seat back tabs in place.

It's also possible that the vendor who built the seat simply used these screws as available since they are used nearby on the assembly.

This area is almost never photographed as the trap door hides the screws.

[J_Speegle]

Just posting a related thread link

https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=7741.msg67294#msg67294