1928 Windshield Crank Configuration??

[Guest oldcar1928]

Need some help. I have a 1928 Chrysler Model 62 and am attempting to finalize the window crank for the windshield. This model has a windshield that raises to let air in while traveling. The window crank was not installed when I bought the car 'many moons ago'. I have attached a photo of the correct crank and hopefully you can see that there is an external threaded portion that extends out the back around a 1/4" square hole. Apparently I am missing a piece that fits between the crank and the windshield crank area above the windshield. There is a 1/4" square shaft extending from the mechanism that the crank will fit but there would be no obvoius way to secure it in place and there would be a gap the crank and the mechanism. I haven't a clue as to what is missing. Can anyone help to define the piece that is missing and how it attaches? And a photo would be helpful. Also would be interesting in purchasing the piece. Thanks for your help.

[HarryJ]

This is a handle manufactured by the Ternstedt Co. There should be a cylindrical internally threaded fixture that the 1/4" square shaft emerges from that the threads on the escutcheon screw into. Note the handle and escutcheon are die cast zinc and are prone to cracking up. It looks like the one you have is brittle. Another note, the handle should revolve freely in the escutcheon, and to screw the handle and escutcheon assembly into the above mentioned cylindrical fixture requires a spanner which fits in the slot on the flange of the escutcheon. All of the handles (window crank, door latch etc.) in the car attach same way this assembly does; so check these for an example of what you are asking about.

[HarryJ]

Could you post a picture of your car?

[Guest oldcar1928]

Hi HarryJ,

Thanks for the information. Took a closer look at the window crank connection on the windshield lifter and found, to my surprise, that the threads in the connector were filled with the remains of the pot metal from the original crank. I was able to clean them out with a small chiesel and hammer. Tried to loosen the escutcheon from the replacement crank handle (in photo) and ended up with a handful of pot metal. The crank itself may be useable, but now need an escutcheon. Anyone know where I can find one? A photo is shown in the original listing. Doesn't have to be exactly identical.

NOTE: A picture of my car can be found in my 'profile'. If you can't access it, let me know.

[HarryJ]

Checked out a picture of your car......great car! The handles unfortunately die of old age..............even if you were to find a NOS one still in the box it would have the same issue the one pictured above has. I have been pursuing some rapid prototyping technologies to try to reproduce this diecast hardware and am making some progress. I have a '28 series "72" Royal sedan I'm restoring and the handles are Ternstedt also.

Edited February 7, 2013 by HarryJ (see edit history)

[unimogjohn]

Oldcar28, you can sometimes find them on Ebay. However, they are probably close to breaking apart due to age. Better to get a repo. This place does outstanding work, but are not cheap. Your winder is on this Buick page for 28. Let us know what you plan to do. Vintage and Classic Reproductions - Buick Parts

[Guest Newbie72]

I also have a 28 model 72 Royal Sedan. Has anyone found an easier way to get the old escrusions out. Mine are siezed in and the only way so far is to chisel them out.

[Guest]

Something that you should all do and it should be a part of regular maintenance. When you vacuum your car and/or clean the windows you should push in on every escutcheon every time. You should also open and close (at least partially) all of your windows. The same thing applies to you seat adjusters (either crank or lever) move them occasionally.

Most of my handles and cranks work great and I believe it is because we were constantly using the car. My two exceptions were the quarter windows the escutcheons were loose but the windows only open about 2" so they were not used much. One day when I went to vacuum both quarter window cranks were laying in pieces on the seat. They had just disintegrated all by themselves.