Door latches - Morris Minor

Crosley.In.AZ · January 29, 2010, 10:46:28 PM

Are the bear claw latches still "the latch assembly" to use on cars?

The OE design on a 1962 Morris is not top shelf in strength , I want something a bit stronger.

My Morrris only has 1 door with a latch assembly and it is well worn , so I need to replace latches in both doors.

From what I have seen of the Bear claw assembly design , the Morris exterior door handle may not be adaptable to operate the Bear claw assembly.

chimp koose · January 31, 2010, 01:05:34 AM

Crosley, I used mini-bearclaw latches from rocky hinge co. on my Anglia . The guy was great to deal with . I had to modify my old latch to activate the new one. That way the inner and outside door handles worked the new one without a bunch of reworking.I had to weld a different tab on the bearclaw latch but no big deal.

kb426 · January 31, 2010, 10:17:51 AM

From walking around the vendors displays, I'm most impressed with Rocky products. I did have someone tell me that Geo metro latches are good because they are small. I haven't done any research to see if that's a great idea or not.

Glen · January 31, 2010, 11:14:34 AM

FWIW.... I run this one in my Model A.
It has a very positive locking feel ot it when it latches.

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Slim-Line-Bear-Jaw-Door-Latch,2268.html

Crosley.In.AZ · February 02, 2010, 07:42:45 AM

thanks for the replies.

Glen, if the latches function well for your car at speed.. they should be good for my Morris

GPster · February 02, 2010, 08:40:35 AM

Quote from: "Crosley"thanks for the replies.Glen, if the latches function well for your car at speed.. they should be good for my Morris

To make it faster? GPster

Glen · February 02, 2010, 08:45:52 AM

Quote from: "Crosley"thanks for the replies.

Glen, if the latches function well for your car at speed.. they should be good for my Morris

Thats kind of how I feel, I twist that car pretty hard. I felt good when I latched them the first time and they snapped shut solid.

Crosley.In.AZ · February 02, 2010, 08:46:20 PM

Quote from: "GPster"
Quote from: "Crosley"thanks for the replies.Glen, if the latches function well for your car at speed.. they should be good for my Morris
To make it faster? GPster

well if I get the Morris running hard ........ it will be faster than Glen's car has run.

I am not proud either... if I have to spray the engine to where i want it to run ,I will

Glen · February 02, 2010, 10:06:46 PM

Quote from: "Crosley"

well if I get the Morris running hard ........ it will be faster than Glen's car has run.

Ok....now you have my attention, spill the beans?

This was the last trip to Speedworld 9.96 at 132 mph.

Crosley.In.AZ · February 02, 2010, 11:30:45 PM

Quote from: "Glen"
Quote from: "Crosley"

well if I get the Morris running hard ........ it will be faster than Glen's car has run.

Ok....now you have my attention, spill the beans?

This was the last trip to Speedworld 9.96 at 132 mph.

No beans to spill yet. This will be my last fast drag car if i get it built

I had a 69 Camaro run 10.50s at 134 mph back in the mid 1980s.... to put this Morris into the 9s should be easy with modern parts and tech.

Since the Morris is a blank slate , I can build it correctly for the speed, although it is a bit short on wheel base ... I may need to drive it a bit to keep it straight.

purplepickup · February 03, 2010, 12:25:41 AM

Quote from: "Crosley"... I may need to drive it a bit to keep it straight.

...as it should be

Glen's car is a trip! If you outrun that you'll be smiling big time on the return lane.

Charlie Chops 1940 · February 04, 2010, 08:25:56 AM

Drive it like ya stole it!!

Charlie