Re: 1940 super eight 160 series 1804 model 1362 138" Wheelbase: making it driveable

Posted by Larrys40s On 2020/11/2 22:30:33

How to repair the door latch safety tang. Both of my front door latch plates had broken safety tangs. These were a new safety feature for 1940-1942 and were designed to prevent unlatched doors from swinging open on turns. The door would only open 5/8" without turning the handle. John Ulrich Packard Parts remanufactured the safety tangs for $20/each. To replace them you need to remove the latch, turn it over and pry up on one end of the bottom plate holding the safety tang on. There is a peened over part of the latch that holds this bottom plate on. You can bend this bottom plate enough to remove and replace the safety tang. Note that on my latch I had to file the new tang a bit so that it popped out on the latch face like it should. If you are missing the spring I found that a spring from a retractable ball point pen cut down to 1/2" worked pretty well as a replacement. To reassemble just lightly tap the bottom plate back into place. Once mounted on the door frame it should stay in place so no need for any extra securing.

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