MTFCA Forum

Hello all, my 1922 touring rear door latch recoil spring broke. Now the latch will not recoil so it does not work. This is I think a period but non-Ford 3rd party latch because it has a handle on both sides. Unfortunately, the post that holds the spring is peened onto the latch. Any suggestions for salvaging this? The two other latches are the same as this one so it was probably changed at some time in the cars history. I can make out ...Mersick co, Newhaven, Conn. It is probably The English & Mersick Co. New Haven, Conn? No patent number that I can see. So far, I cannot find a similar example anywhere online. They did make carriage latches and have latch patents. I would be obliged if anyone could help me to salvage this lock. You can see the loose broken spring in the picture of the mechanism as it looks removed from the door. Other than the spring the latch is in good used condition.

Upon further looking at the makers mark it is definitely The English & Mersick Co Newhaven, Conn. I still can find no other examples of this particular latch so far...

Per the internet the broken spring type is a 'torsion spring.' and it seems that there are many to choose from. If I can find a replacement rivet after I drill out the current one then I think we might be back in business.

I have 100’s of lock springs, if you can send me the old one, I’m sure I have a replacement. Kim Dobbins 1707 265 th st. Harbor City, CA 90710.

Ignacio - what does the other side if the riveted post look like ?
Looks like the riveting is upset into a counter-sink in the plate (?)
Depending upon how the post is attached to the other side of the lock plate, it may be best to pare down the riveting with an end mill then build the post back by welding and re-rivet.

Thanks, I just hammered it with a punch and it came off. See picture. Yes, probably just put the rivet back through and spot weld. The spring will be in the mail tomorrow. So cool this thing is probably 100 years old and apparently very unique to my car. Many thanks!

Looks like the face of the lock needs flattening out. By the way The larger Ace Hardware stores have a good selection of springs that may be like the one you need. I found some almost identical for the standard Ford locks used on the 17-25 Tourings when
I repaired the ones for my 21 Touring.

I measured it and it is a 3 coils, wire thickness is 0.06575, 2 inch total distance, 0.8125 coil OD. See pictures. I was contacted privately and guided on how to measure these, then shown this website

Lee Spring:
LTMR150X05

put that into "search" and you'll get 2 springs that are darn near exactly what you need

here: https://www.leespring.com/torsion-sprin ... LTMR150X05

We are back in business. See pictures. The springs arrived from Lee's and are perfect. I cut them to size and installed them. Held it together manually then spot welded the rivet back on and re-installed it. It is very stiff now and is not going to fly open anymore. I have extras if the other 2 latches fail. Cool to be able to salvage unique probably 100 year old latches. I can take it to church again today. Thanks to all who helped.