I have been collecting MK2 door handles as I want to build up a set to replace them on my MK2. I intend to have this built up set re-chromed so I can do a changeover.
As most MK2 owners know the door handles are subject to zinc diecast corrosion and the re-chroming process to "kill" this corrosion and re-plating can take up to two months.
I certainly don't want to have my MK2 "grounded" for two months hence the built up set changeover.
There is one small problem and it is how do you identify the difference between a front door handle and a rear door handle.
The Jaguar part numbers areLHF BD16720

RHF BD16721

LHR BD16722

RHR BD16723

I have a left front door handle I removed off a left front door and a left rear handle removed from a left rear door. I cannot see any difference.
There are no part numbers on these door handles.
By the way I do have a right front door handle ( removed from a right front door)and am sniffing around for a right rear door handle.
Can anyone enlighten me on the supposed differences.
Cheers

 

I think ( and no doubt Glyn or Gregory can correct me) that the front door handles have a rear edge perpendicular to the top of the handle, to follow the vertical rear line of the door, while the rears are at a slight angle, as the rear doors do not have a vertical rear edge.

 

I don't know whether this is prevalent but if I tried to put a front door handle on a rear door it stood marginally proud of the door at the spear end on an S type or chrome strip on a Mk2. That is how I identified my respective handles & all looks fine & fits. I'll bet there are plenty of A about F handles out there Bill. I had 2 donor cars. The differences are minute. I'm surprised Jag did not just make a left & right.

Unfortunately Barratt's don't show in the same plane





Dirty car aligning spear. Still fiddling with gaps at this time. Shaved brass rear window frame to move forward slightly from this.




Paintwork.

 

Bill. I don’t know how much time you are going to spend on this but touch-up paint, Tectyl & a Dremel tool are your friends. Also put a long-life grease like a Polyurea on all mechanisms while you have the doors open. Then window winders etc. will outlast us.

Also on the rear doors there is a felt pad where the window frame touches the outer door skin. Soak with Tectyl or oil to prevent corrosion through the skin. It is a water trap. You will prevent that corrosion spot through the middle of your rear door outer skin. Why Jaguar had to use felt as an anti rattle medium ~ who knows? It is perpetually damp.

Also look for cracks in the push button mechanisms. Repair/replace if found. Then you won’t have them break on you at an inopportune moment.

 

Super work in that car!

 

Bill ~ this is the most common door push failure. If you see a crack forming at the base of that lug that sticks up don't reuse. It will break.

 

Glyn and all
Thanks for the all of the advice. I always get stuck into any MK1 or MK2 door when I have the inner linings off, chasing rust drain holes etc. etc. and subsequently treating the interior workings and metal with lashings of lubricants and anti rust systems.
I have had 5 MK1s ( I still have one) and this is my 5th MK2. However this handle business is a bit of "way out there"
I have tried these handles against my MK2's current handles and just cannot see any differences.
As you suggested its a wonder why they just didn't produce left and right handles..

 

Good man. I know that you know the cars well & I'm probably teaching my grandmother how to suck eggs. ~ I know you will do the right things.

If the handles fit the door flush without a gap at the button end use them. Only bother is if they sit slightly proud with a very small gap.

 

These are from my parts car S Type, but I believe the Mark 2 door handles are similar. The top photo is the rear handle, the lower photo is the front handle. Note how the left end is sloped on the rear handle, and vertical on the front handle.

 

Jagboi64
THANKYOU VERY MUCH !!!
You have solved the mystery!
I had a very serious look at the MK2 and can see that the rear handle has that small change in the heel area to align with the rear door aperture.
I have now been able to sort my collection with a LH front and rear and a RH front and now know what I am looking for in a RH rear.
In previous restorations/revivals I have always labelled things like door handles for their correct position and this sort of question has never come up.
I am humbled by you knowledge.
Again thanks and Cheers

 

Happy to help. I found out the hard way when I was doing my restoration, and had to remove handles after I had installed them in the wrong position.

 

Good stuff Jagboi. I have just checked mine & they are correct & you are spot on. That IS the difference plus standing marginally proud of the door at the rear spear/chrome strip interface.

Still don't understand why they did not make a RHS & LHS handle. I guess that is what you call attention to detail.

 

Great stuff Jagboi for sorting out the difference between front and back but at the same time I hate you.

Just checked mine. Drivers side correct. Passengers side I have the front on the back and back on the front. The difference is so subtle that no one is ever going to notice except me. It is going to bug me now for years as I don't think the time and effort in stripping the doors down to take the handles off and change them around is worth the effort. Thanks, another point off if I ever take the car to Pebble Beach. lol.

The one consolation I have is that at every show I go to from now on I am going to be checking door handles and if they are wrong I will have the sadistic pleasure of pointing it out to the owner.

 

"The difference is so subtle that no one is ever going to notice except me."

And that's the point Rob ~ just chill! It is subtle ~ very, very subtle.

 

Chill just chill! It is alright for you Mr Smarty pants with your door handles on the right way. What am I going to say if someone else sees it. I can't tell the wife or she will spread the word that me handles are wrong and I will never live it down at the local JEC meeting. Chill the man says. I am going to have to spend the weekend now swapping them over. lol.

 

Caught by the dreaded rolling black-out while typing. Blame it all on Pressed Steel. Their bodywork is not as accurate as your door handles.

 

Cass3958
I sympathise at your being caught out with the handles in the wrong places.
Just wait a while until the weather deteriorates into a wet weekend (as they do in the UK) and quietly do a changeover. There is no need to tell anyone (particularly the spouse) what you are doing.
Just be a bit sneaky!+
I would envisage a Saturday afternoon with a couple of tinnies of your favourite beverage on hand as lubricants should be enough to engineer the swap.
Then you can righteously rubbish any cars you see with the wrong handles without any conscience.
Cheers

 

Ah Rob, the joys of owning an old Jag. At least both of us can say we've done it down to the last nut, washer & bolt. You even more so. I had some help where my skill sets are not top notch & my tremor gets in the way. But my parts catalogue ~ working copy that was new is now in a sad state. One of my jobs. Sourcing all parts & donor cars.

 

Thank you Peter,
My friend that I was staying with in Johannesburg with the Cayman S & many other toys, Knowing my Virgo tendencies well. Used to say to me EVERY morning over breakfast ~ Remember ~ "Don't let perfection get in the way of very good." I think they were wise words.

 

I agree. The other phrase is "Perfection is the enemy of finished". I have to keep that in mind sometimes when I'm trying to figure out stuff for my Daimler and keep in mind at some point I need to say "good enough".