In 1952 door handles changed to push button, except for mine. I have a 52 with pull down handles from factory. I wanted bear claws but I couldn’t find any information for pull down handles. Chuck and Houston had good info on push button, so I used some of their ideas and improvised the rest.
The outside handle shaft was cut to 1.25” long, the end was squared and tapped to take a 2.5” arm. A 3” back plate was made to attach to the door handle screw, a stopper for the arm was attached to the back plate and because the door handle is a ball and socket a centering plate was attached to the stopper, a return spring was attached from the arm to the top of the back plate.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o142/dapapa_photos/Doors/DSC00190.jpg A pulley is placed at the front of the door just above the top hinge to route the cable around the window channel. (Be prepared to lose a lot of skin getting the nut on the back) In hind sight drilling a ½” asset hole on the front pillar and a plug would have been much easier.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o142/dapapa_photos/Doors/DSC00209.jpg Because the bear claws release was so touchy the inside door handle assembly was modified by cutting 1.5” off the end and attaching a free play piece Which also makes the power door locks work.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o142/dapapa_photos/Doors/DSC00148.jpg http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o142/dapapa_photos/Doors/DSC00143.jpg The free play piece allows the inside handle to move its full range till it hits the jamb nut and opens the bear claw. The cable is attached about half way down the inside handle arm to the pulley and then to the outside handle arm, the return spring on the inside handle keeps the cable tight.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o142/dapapa_photos/Doors/DSC00211.jpg A power door lock solenoid is attached to a plate and placed inside at the front of the door above the lower hinge.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o142/dapapa_photos/Doors/DSC00197.jpg A old chock cable was ran from the solenoid to a dog leg piece that was cut in at the inside handle
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o142/dapapa_photos/Doors/DSC00198.jpghttp://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o142/dapapa_photos/Doors/DSC00201.jpg The solenoid moves the dog leg down in front the inside assembly blocking it movement and locking the door inside and out.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o142/dapapa_photos/Doors/DSC00212.jpg http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o142/dapapa_photos/Doors/DSC00216.jpg All photos and more.
http://s119.photobucket.com/albums/o142/dapapa_photos/Doors/Jeff
