Hi everyone,
This is my first post and I am hoping there are people on this forum that are a lot more informed on certain topics than I am! My question deals with mid-fifties Fords which I am currently working on.I need to know if the door latches on a 1955 Ford Fordor Sedan are identical to and interchangeable with the latches on a 1956 Ford Fordor Sedan. The Ford part numbers are identical except the 55 number starts with B5A  and the 56 number starts with B6A. Also, the basic bodies of the two cars are the same. If any of you can help me with this, I would appreciate it!

Welcome to the best 50's Ford site ever! The latches should be a direct swap for those years with the same model and configuration. Chuck

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

They interchange but the same year striker plate must be fitted as well, 55,s have wide star wheel and thin striker plate, 56 have narrow star wheel and thicker striker plate with small retaining plate, it is the new Lifeguard lock system.


  AussieBill            YYYY    Forever Y Block     YYYY

 Down Under, Australia

Aussie Bill is correct.  There was a latch design change between 55 and 56.


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Thanks everyone! You have answered my question in quick fashion and I do appreciate it. The reply about the thinner striker plates and different star wheels really helps me, because I was not aware of this difference in 55 and 56 latches. I fully expect that I will have future problems that I will need help on also. Thanks again!

I was going to fit 56 latches in my 55 Tudor when I was putting it back together after painting it. The striker plates hit the door and from memory the latch star wheel hit the lip of the door opening. I suggest you test fit the striker plate before you try the latches. They didn't work for me and I didn't want to go knocking the striker plate area further in. If I was going to do that I'd fit bear claw latches but they open up another can of worms.
The 55 striker plates are about 3/8" thick and the 56's are about 1/2".

Rick - West Australia
Do Y Blocks Downunder run upside down? Gravity Sucks!!

I was going to fit 56 latches in my 55 Tudor when I was putting it back together after painting it. The striker plates hit the door and from memory the latch star wheel hit the lip of the door opening. I suggest you test fit the striker plate before you try the latches. They didn't work for me and I didn't want to go knocking the striker plate area further in. If I was going to do that I'd fit bear claw latches but they open up another can of worms.
The 55 striker plates are about 3/8" thick and the 56's are about 1/2".

Rick - West Australia
Do Y Blocks Downunder run upside down? Gravity Sucks!!

My 55 bird (uses the same latches) has a 56 right rear quarter and door jamb. When I replaced the all the latch parts, I found a spacer on the right side door jamb to bring the striker out to meet the star wheel. If I'd looked close in advance, I might have ordered a 56 plate. So I don't know about mix and match. As I was, I reused the nicely made spacer. This was the safety upgrade in 56 mentioned above.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

This discussion brings another question to my mind:"Why and under what circumstances are the rough sandpaper shims used under the striker plates?" I have these shims, but I'm unsure as to why or when to use them. I am going back with original ' 55 door latches and striker plates. Any advice for me?