| Window latch dilemma [message #342816] |
Tue, 23 April 2019 16:30  |
Christo
Messages: 109
Registered: April 2019
Location: Weymouth, MA
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I have a 77 Eleganza II and the PO left a metal latch for the bedroom/living area windows in a spare parts box (see linked album below for all photos). I assume this is one of the original latches and that the installed plastic ones are replacements. If anyone has 3 or 4 of these metal latches they'd be willing to part with, please let me know as they seem to be superior to the plastic ones. Here's how I came to that conclusion:
I purchased a new plastic latch (Hehr H695) to replace one that had broken. In order to make it fit, I had to trim some plastic from each end of the wedge-shaped latch mechanism so that it could slide into the existing strike plate. There are also two L-shaped pieces above and below the latch mechanism that are designed to hook behind the strike plate and prevent anyone from defeating the latch by spreading the windows apart. Unfortunately the L-shaped pieces don't work with the existing strike plate, so they also need to be removed to allow the latch mechanism to sit deeper in the strike plate. Alternatively it might be possible to modify the strike plate with a Dremel tool in order to allow the L-shaped pieces to hook behind it, but I wouldn't want to try this due to the risk of ruining the strike plate or the whole window (the strike plate is spot-welded to the window frame).
So, the modified-to-fit plastic latches are barely better than no latch at all. Once you spread the windows apart about 1/8", all you need is something that provides enough sideways leverage to slide the window (e.g a hunk of duct tape or a suction cup) and you can open it from the outside. The original latches are nice because they're all metal with a sliding lock that fits behind the existing strike plate, thus preventing the windows from being spread apart. I acknowledge that a good-sized rock can make this whole exercise moot, but besides using metal latches are there any alternatives besides switching over to the beautiful, flush-fit, fixed windows?
https://photos.app.goo.gl/VWbweb427AiQePPb8
Christo Darsch
GMC Nor'easters
1977 Eleganza II - "The Komet"
3.50 Power Drive, Disc Brakes, Alcoas
Weymouth, MA
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