1957 RH Cowel Vent clip installation

[TbirdFan76]

I'm having a terrible time trying to replace a simple clip to hold the right hand (passenger) side cowl vent door rod in place. I purchased Item Number: 02164 from classictbird.com (see picture of parts and diagram below). Does anyone have a tip on how to get this clip in place? I worked on this for several hours and even with a person to help hold the rod on the outside, getting the end of the rod to go through the clip holes, Side Vent Door Actuating arm hole and holding the end of the clip with the holes in the correct position (at least I think is correct) to get the clip on the rod seems impossible.



I'm hoping installing this one missing clip (it was missing when I purchased the car) doesn't require taking the entire cowel vent assembly apart.

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[McCoupe]

I'm having a terrible time trying to replace a simple clip to hold the right hand (passenger) side cowl vent door rod in place. I purchased Item Number: 02164 from classictbird.com (see picture of parts and diagram below). Does anyone have a tip on how to get this clip in place? I worked on this for several hours and even with a person to help hold the rod on the outside, getting the end of the rod to go through the clip holes, Side Vent Door Actuating arm hole and holding the end of the clip with the holes in the correct position (at least I think is correct) to get the clip on the rod seems impossible.

View attachment 32233

I'm hoping installing this one missing clip (it was missing when I purchased the car) doesn't require taking the entire cowel vent assembly apart.

It's another 5 minute hjob that will take you all day, yes dis-assemble side vent from the inside etc, once apart, fit rod & clip. nothing good is ever easy.

 

[TbirdFan76]

@McCoupe, I've removed the acuating arm to install the clip over the hole in the arm, inserted the inside rod end into the arm and clip holes and snapped the clip to rod. The problem is that the clip doesn't allow the rod to rotate enough to reach the hinge hole and clip for the outside end of the rod.

If I'd install the clip to the underside of the arm the same problem occurs. I'm stumped and hoping you can tell me how this should be installed.

 

[Tom Alpers]

@McCoupe, I've removed the acuating arm to install the clip over the hole in the arm, inserted the inside rod end into the arm and clip holes and snapped the clip to rod. The problem is that the clip doesn't allow the rod to rotate enough to reach the hinge hole and clip for the outside end of the rod.
View attachment 32251
If I'd install the clip to the underside of the arm the same problem occurs. I'm stumped and hoping you can tell me how this should be installed.

When I look at the drawing it sort of looks like there is supposed to be a hole in the end of the rod and a "pin" type retainer that goes thru the hole and keeps the rod from sliding out of the arm. Did the clip you are using come with a "kit" or is is something you had on hand that seemed like the right thing to use?

 

[TbirdFan76]

When I look at the drawing it sort of looks like there is supposed to be a hole in the end of the rod and a "pin" type retainer that goes thru the hole and keeps the rod from sliding out of the arm. Did the clip you are using come with a "kit" or is is something you had on hand that seemed like the right thing to use?

I purchased the clip Item Number: 02164 from classictbird.com & it is specifically described as for the right hand vent control rod. See my original post with the diagram and pic of parts.

The pin you see in the diagram is for the rod on the left hand side of the car and I believe some cars used the pin and hole in the rod while others do not. My cars did does not have a hole to accommodate a pin but I wish it did!

 

[Tom Alpers]

I purchased the clip Item Number: 02164 from classictbird.com & it is specifically described as for the right hand vent control rod. See my original post with the diagram and pic of parts.

The pin you see in the diagram is for the rod on the left hand side of the car and I believe some cars used the pin and hole in the rod while others do not. My cars did does not have a hole to accommodate a pin but I wish it did!

Based on what I see in my 57, that's the wrong clip. Using your photo as reference, the part that's hitting is located at 90 degrees counter clockwise from the main part of the clip. My clip has that part of the clip at 180 degrees. It's completely on the other side of the lever. It may be those clips are no longer available. If that's the case and the type you have are what are being used perhaps you need the other "hand" of that clip. i.e. you have a right handed one and need a left handed one.

 

[McCoupe]

@McCoupe, I've removed the acuating arm to install the clip over the hole in the arm, inserted the inside rod end into the arm and clip holes and snapped the clip to rod. The problem is that the clip doesn't allow the rod to rotate enough to reach the hinge hole and clip for the outside end of the rod.
View attachment 32251
If I'd install the clip to the underside of the arm the same problem occurs. I'm stumped and hoping you can tell me how this should be installed.

Got ya, That clip won't work. Use an E clip or drill it to then use a split pin. Pull the other side inner vent off & see what clip is used there. Good Luck

 

[TbirdFan76]

Got ya, That clip won't work. Use an E clip or drill it to then use a split pin. Pull the other side inner vent off & see what clip is used there. Good Luck

The other end has a longer version of the same style clip. The difference on the door hinge is the rod goes through the hole vertically and the door swings fine as it simple rotates on the end of the rod as it is pulled inward to close. I prefer not to drill the hole as I want to keep the car and parts original plus I don't have a drill press and imagine myself not being able to keep my handheld drill straight and just mucking up the rod. I'll look for an E clip. I've also thought of just cutting the end of the clip I have as it feels very snug on the rod.

Thanks for the ideas.

 

[Tom Alpers]

Take a look at this... They are all laying differently oriented but by my assessment it looks to me like they sent you a 02165 by mistake.

 

[TbirdFan76]

Take a look at this... They are all laying differently oriented but by my assessment it looks to me like they sent you a 02165 by mistake.


View attachment 32258

Wow! Good catch! Good sleuthing, the difference is very subtle. I'll contact them tomorrow and request they send me the correct clip. I'll report back once I get them to send the correct part. Hopefully it won't be a big hassle. FYI the envelope containing the clips have the correct number 02164 but the part inside matches image of 02165.

 

[TbirdFan76]

Take a look at this... They are all laying differently oriented but by my assessment it looks to me like they sent you a 02165 by mistake.


View attachment 32258

Wow! Good catch! Good sleuthing, the difference is very subtle. I'll contact them tomorrow and request they send me the correct clip. I'll report back once I get them to send the correct part. Hopefully it won't be a big hassle. FYI the envelope containing the clips have the correct number 02164 but the part inside matches image of 02165.

Relooking at your post I think the 02132 long clip is really what is needed. The parts person i chatted with gave me the bad information. They said 02132 was used at the door hinge end of the rod. Just to make sure @Tom Alpers your 57 has 02132 on the arm end of the rod?

 

[Tom Alpers]

Relooking at your post I think the 02132 long clip is really what is needed. The parts person i chatted with gave me the bad information. They said 02132 was used at the door hinge end of the rod. Just to make sure @Tom Alpers your 57 has 02132 on the arm end of the rod?

Yes, I have the 02132, presumably the original from the factory, but it's shown in the catalog as NLA, No Longer Available. Hence those two different replacement clips, one will work on the left vent rod, and the other will work on the right vent rod. If you want a genuine 02132 you'd need to find a used or NOS one from a tbird supplier. The 02164 should work. Ford probably used the 02132, maybe evecn had it specially made, because they needed so many and it would work on both sides and simplified parts supplies and assembly.

 

[TbirdFan76]

Yes, I have the 02132, presumably the original from the factory, but it's shown in the catalog as NLA, No Longer Available. Hence those two different replacement clips, one will work on the left vent rod, and the other will work on the right vent rod. If you want a genuine 02132 you'd need to find a used or NOS one from a tbird supplier. The 02164 should work. Ford probably used the 02132, maybe evecn had it specially made, because they needed so many and it would work on both sides and simplified parts supplies and assembly.

classicrbirds.com does have the 02132. They manufacture NOS. I'll try to get them to wave the shipping and reduce the price since they sent the incorrect part. Wish me luck!

Notice it calls out "This clip is used on the HANDLE SIDE of the rod, if needed. If your rod is cross drilled, it may just use a cotter pin and flat washer, otherwise (for a rod with no hole) it would use this clip.

The clip used on the DOOR SIDE of the rod would be the 02164 or 02165."

This is exactly opposite of what the parts sales representative told me.