Gran Torino Trunk Flipper Spring repair?
Printed From: The Ford Torino Page
Category: Model Specific Forum
Forum Name: 1972-1976 Ford and Mercury
Forum Description: Technical discussion for 1972-1976 Ford and Mercury
URL: https://forum.grantorinosport.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=20649
Printed Date: 01-June-2023 at 3:42AM
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Gran Torino Trunk Flipper Spring repair?
Posted By: spriegel
Subject: Gran Torino Trunk Flipper Spring repair?
Date Posted: 16-March-2023 at 12:00PM
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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 ------------- Chris Fairview, PA '1973 Ford Gran Torino |
Replies:
Posted By: Yellosn
Date Posted: 16-March-2023 at 12:08PM
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I think it’s usually the little pot metal fingers that give before the spring. ------------- Troy Emerson Eugene, Oregon 1972 GTS 4speed |
Posted By: californiajohnny
Date Posted: 16-March-2023 at 1:02PM
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troy is right! that tab usually breaks
------------- JOHN 74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE 74 VETTE CUSTOM 90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED 77 CELICA CUSTOM 75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED 79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED 75 VEGA V6 5 SPD 70 CHEV C10 P/U 68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION |
Posted By: spriegel
Date Posted: 16-March-2023 at 1:31PM
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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 ------------- Chris Fairview, PA '1973 Ford Gran Torino |
Posted By: handsofstone
Date Posted: 16-March-2023 at 4:16PM
| @Hogfiddles repairs them. Ping him via pm, or wait and will be by shortly most likely. |
Posted By: Yellosn
Date 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 Eugene, Oregon 1972 GTS 4speed |
Posted By: hogfiddles
Date Posted: 17-March-2023 at 1:23AM
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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 ------------- 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 95+/- mid-80's Yamaha XJ-Series (10 trophies) |
Posted By: handsofstone
Date 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. |
Posted By: hogfiddles
Date Posted: 17-March-2023 at 6:27AM
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Agreed! ------------- 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 95+/- mid-80's Yamaha XJ-Series (10 trophies) |
Posted By: hogfiddles
Date Posted: 17-March-2023 at 11:14AM
Just finished another (except for the black that I have to paint on yet.....) Dave Fox ------------- 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 95+/- mid-80's Yamaha XJ-Series (10 trophies) |
Posted By: spriegel
Date Posted: 17-March-2023 at 12:03PM
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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 ------------- Chris Fairview, PA '1973 Ford Gran Torino |
Posted By: hogfiddles
Date 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 95+/- mid-80's Yamaha XJ-Series (10 trophies) |
Posted By: handsofstone
Date Posted: 17-March-2023 at 5:00PM
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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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Posted By: spriegel
Date Posted: 18-March-2023 at 6:45AM
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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 ------------- Chris Fairview, PA '1973 Ford Gran Torino |
Posted By: hogfiddles
Date Posted: 19-April-2023 at 4:20PM
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I just finished a couple more sets— :)  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 95+/- mid-80's Yamaha XJ-Series (10 trophies) |
Posted By: 72FordGTS
Date Posted: 22-April-2023 at 9:18AM
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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 1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |
Posted By: hogfiddles
Date Posted: 22-April-2023 at 11:06AM
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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 1972 Gran Torino - parts 1969 Torino GT - M code 95+/- mid-80's Yamaha XJ-Series (10 trophies) |