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Gran Torino Trunk Flipper Spring repair?

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spriegel View Drop Down
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    Posted: 16-March-2023 at 12:00PM
Has anyone repaired a '73 Gran Torino trunk flipper w/ emblem?

My current flipper works w/ spring, but I bought a spare as it seems like something that would break over time.  The spare I bought looks good, but doesn't have a working spring.

If you have repaired one, could you post a "how-to" w/ photos?

Thanks!
Chris
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Yellosn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16-March-2023 at 12:08PM
I think it’s usually the little pot metal fingers that give before the spring.
Troy Emerson
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote californiajohnny Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16-March-2023 at 1:02PM
 troy is right! that tab usually breaks
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote spriegel Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16-March-2023 at 1:31PM
John, Troy,

Do you have a picture of the tab? or how it is configured?

Any ideas if something could be fabricated?

We have a local True Value that carries a lot of springs - I was going to try to fit one, but I'm not clear what is attached to, in order to create leverage?  Is that the tab that breaks?

Chris
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote handsofstone Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16-March-2023 at 4:16PM
@Hogfiddles repairs them. Ping him via pm, or wait and will be by shortly most likely.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Yellosn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16-March-2023 at 5:11PM
I have one that came with my car that has been “repaired”. A little hokey, but it works. I got another one but kept this as a spare.

Troy Emerson
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hogfiddles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17-March-2023 at 1:23AM
Correct, usually one of the fingers breaks off.  I have rarely seen (and have never had) a spring itself break.  The bigger problem is that the metal is pot metal, which makes metal repair very difficult.  I’m still trying to find a tried-and-true way to repair pot metal myself... some way that can handle some stress.

I am in the middle re-habbing some ‘72-‘73 flippers.  Here’s how the current two look.... they’re getting close to finished:


Dave Fox

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote handsofstone Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17-March-2023 at 6:13AM
Thise look excellent Dave. I think the biggest problem was when opening the trunk a lot of people letting it snap closed. That most likely killed many over the years.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hogfiddles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17-March-2023 at 6:27AM
Agreed!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote hogfiddles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17-March-2023 at 11:14AM
Just finished another (except for the black that I have to paint on yet.....)


Dave Fox
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote spriegel Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17-March-2023 at 12:03PM
Dave,

Wow, these look great!   

Thanks Troy for the photos, I see what they did - I was wondering how it would create the leverage to spring back, but see how they wrapped the spring around the tab and used a bolt/screw for the top.

Thanks,
Chris
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote hogfiddles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17-March-2023 at 1:09PM
Dfox
1973 Gran Torino Sport - Q code “Q-Clone” project-on-hold
1972 Gran Torino Sport - Q code new project
1972 Gran Torino - parts
1969 Torino GT - M code
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote handsofstone Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17-March-2023 at 5:00PM
Never let the flipper snap back. It may not break the first time but it is a gamble on how many times you can do it without breaking something.
 I had maybe $175 into mine. I always liked the look of the red emblems. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote spriegel Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18-March-2023 at 6:45AM
John - good advice!  That was my concern - it seems like someone would do that accidentally and with these being 50 year parts, break it.

-Chris
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hogfiddles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19-April-2023 at 4:20PM
I just finished a couple more sets— :)



Dfox
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 72FordGTS Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22-April-2023 at 9:18AM
Very nice Dave!  Do you have anymore red Torino emblems?  I have an XR7 flipper that I wouldn't mind converting to a Torino flipper (identical other than the emblem).
Vince

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hogfiddles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22-April-2023 at 11:06AM
I’d have to look. The flipper and the bass are very close from the XR seven to the Torino… But there are slight differences in the casting, but as long as those don’t bother you… They can work. The inside of the disc is a different contour, so I’m not sure exactly how cleanly the Torino emblem will fit – I have some of each style. And I have a junk Torino one I will see how well it fits.

I’ll give you a call, also…
1973 Gran Torino Sport - Q code “Q-Clone” project-on-hold
1972 Gran Torino Sport - Q code new project
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