C1 (1960) Window Crank and Door Panel configuration

[Donald H.]

I need help with the correct way to install the window crank, spring, and plate. I have attached a picture of the parts.

My understanding is that the cone shaped spring is the correct one. However, I can't remember where I found it. Must have been on this forum.
I also understood that the purpose of the spring was to provide some outward pressure on the inside of the door panel to keep it tight against the crank, so the small end would go against the inside seal in the regulator as I have it positioned in the picture. The AIM calls for a 1.44" hole in the door panel and outside diameter of the large end of the spring (a reproduction) is 1.66".

Can someone confirm that I have it orientated correctly or otherwise?

Last question is does the spring clip that holds the crank onto the regulator shaft go under the plastic plate/shim, i.e. between the plate/shim and the crank? It does not really fit in either position. If I put it on the handle first then try to fit the plate, the tips of the spring clip will not allow the plate to fit snuggly against the crank. But there is really no way for it to fit onto the crank after the plate is fit against the crank.

I'm on the home stretch in getting my car back together. I hope to be doing the initial start up within the next week. Fingers crossed that I have no engine issue!!!!!!! I have it registered for the Bowling Green Regional and not much time to fix anything other than something minor.

Crank handle.jpg


Thanks,

Don

[Joe M.]

Re: C1 (1960) Window Crank and Door Panel configuration

I put the cone spring in just the opposite way because the large end seats perfectly inside the regulator foam cup side and then the small end of the spring pushes on the plastic shim to keep the handle from rattling. I installed the spring clip between the plastic shim and the window crank. It is impossible to determine the correct orientation from the AIM. I never received a deduct because of the orientation of the spring, but I don't believe judges focus on that. They look for the plastic shim and how well the handle fits against the door panel. One of mine fits flush and straight, and one of mine fits at a slight angle because the regulator is crooked. I tried to insert shims under the regulator screws to correct the problem, but to no avail. I lost a point on that.

[John H.]

Re: C1 (1960) Window Crank and Door Panel configuration

I installed the spring clip between the plastic shim and the window crank. It is impossible to determine the correct orientation from the AIM.

Joe -

The "omega" spring clip just goes where it goes - it came already assembled to the window crank, which was just smacked on the regulator shaft after the plastic disc; there's no need to "install" the spring clip in the groove while assembling the window crank, which is why it isn't shown in the A.I.M.

[Keith R.]

Re: C1 (1960) Window Crank and Door Panel configuration

Joe - I was doing some research on the site regarding the window crank spring orientation and ran across this thread. After reading the threads on the subject, I believe that the large end of the spring fits against the door panel and I'll tell you why. If you place it with the small end towards the window crank, then it fits over the shaft of the crank causing grinding and interference based upon my own pre-fit trials. Also, I feel that Donald Harris's theory that the large end of the spring spreads the inward force of the spring against the door panel is most logical. If you have the small end towards the door panel, it will apply the spring force in a much more narrow area perhaps allowing the handle to move outside of its circumferential orbit. This might also explain why your handles were not square with the panel during judging. If you hold the plastic spacer against either end of the spring, you'll notice that when it is held against the small end, the plane of the spacer is not parallel with that of the larger end of the spring which would also throw off the plane of the handle. When you reverse this and hold the spacer against the large end, the planes of the small end and that of the spacer are more in line. I am going to install mine with the large end of the spring towards the door panel and see how that works.

[Joe M.]

Re: C1 (1960) Window Crank and Door Panel configuration

Sounds good to me