[billrolland]

Hi,
We need a door solenoid for my 41 ford custom. The 45# solenoids that we are trying to use don't have enough pull, it looks like we need about 80#. Does anyone know where I can buy 80# or more solenoids, just the solenoids we have the controls.
Thanks,
Bill Rolland

[S10Fan]

I thought Spal sold them but I just checked their webpage and didn't find them.

[robin58]

Autoloc has 75 and 100:

http://www.thehoffmangroup.com:16080...ducts_SL.lasso

AIM sells them too but you have to buy the entire kit again:

http://www.truckn-store.com/product_list.asp?id=2268

But before you embark on buying new ones make sure the wire connecting the solenoid and the latch isn't too tight. It has to be able to move / pull without binding which will usually happen if it is to tight. Also depending on the latch try hooking it up to a different part. In other words, there are usually two triggers on the latch to open the door, one for the interior handle one for the exterior. If you've hooked the wire to pull up to the same connecting part as the the part that has a rod connecting to the interior handle you are simply adding more binding friction. Of course this assumes the latches are newer bearclaw types and not original ones.

[bnewsom]

Also make sure you have heavy enough gage wire to the solenoid and a full charge on the battery. Either of these being inadequate will limit the power of the solenoid.
You also may need to take the latch out to clean and lube it. Also won't hurt to look for and polish out and rough spots where the latch slides over the cam. Do this and align everything real good and you will be surprised how much smoother and with less pull effort it takes to unlatch it.
Bob

[Frank F]

I've run up on this same problem before. I know they make 90# + solenoids but on some of my projects there just isn't enough room for just any solenoid.
We have simply trimmed a few coils from the spring to weaken it. I know it may sound unsafe when you first here " weaken" a spring but it is still latching the mechanism and I'm only talking a few coils here. I'm not sure if this process will work on your particular latch but it's another option.