Question on fitting doors

[Scott M.]

I'm working on the '67 convertible getting the doors fitted and adjusted to the car and new front clip. The doors have fore and aft adjustment and currently the inside, forward edge of the driver's door fits much closer to the "A" pillar cover than the passenger door currently does. Does anyone have experience with the best fitment in this area, I'm assuming there must be an optimum gap so that the weatherstripping seals well in this area.

TIA

[Richard M.]

Re: Question on fitting doors

Scott, I just did this on a '67 convertible a while ago.......I feel your pain. I finally figured it all out with the help of the AIM. It was time consuming say the least. Check this thread where I referenced some pages to help with the specs. Also pay close attention to specs on sealers and adhesives. I followed it in detail and the car doesn't leak a drop.

Rich

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...=door&uid=5603

[Scott M.]

Re: Question on fitting doors

Thanks Richard, I took some pictures to make it more clear on the area of the doors I need help with getting the gaps right. The passenger door has about 1/2" gap while the driver's side is about 3/16".

[Richard M.]

Re: Question on fitting doors

Scott, I had to install new rear body mounts & add shims on the left rear of the '67 to help align the drivers' door better. This was a big block 435hp car and I suspect the frame had some twist over the years.

Yours seems excessive. I'm wondering of you have similar issues with the rear body mounts. Is the car on the ground on its tires with normal weight, engine installed etc?

Rich

[Scott M.]

Re: Question on fitting doors

I don't think its a shim issue because the vertical gaps are both even top to bottom. I think I need to move the driver's door a bit rearward and the passenger door forward? How much of a gap is considered normal?

[Richard M.]

Re: Question on fitting doors

I don't have it in front of me but I recall the spec is around 0.12" for the outside vertical door gaps. It's in UPC Section 11-13 Sheet B7(Body Checking).

Of course this was the spec. Whether or not every one that went out the door to spec is questionable. I spent several hours getting things aligned on the one I recently restored. I certainly would have been fired if that was my job on the assembly line!

Maybe John Hinckley can comment as he was very familiar with the process when he was in St Louis.

Rich

[Gene M.]

Re: Question on fitting doors

Scott,
Are the doors virgin to the car? This type of problem I've see is associated with mixing cars and doors. AO Smith and St Louis pieces are not direct interchangeable without issues.

A convertible has an easier adaption than a coupe when mix and matching.

[Scott M.]

Re: Question on fitting doors

Thanks Gene, both appear to belong to this car with the number 193 crayon written on both. The car has new quarters and a new front clip, I can adjust the external gaps once I know what this gap should be.

[Gene M.]

Re: Question on fitting doors

Thanks Gene, both appear to belong to this car with the number 193 crayon written on both. The car has new quarters and a new front clip, I can adjust the external gaps once I know what this gap should be.

That's the basis of the issue. The 1/4's are a bit off from the exact position relative to the birdcage. Everything aligns ok, gaps and all but the whole thing is shifted a bit towards the front relative to the bird cage.

To change anything like cutting the rear 1/4's edge and adding to the fronts is crazy. Re straightening the body and paint on a car that otherwise is fine just don't make sense. It could also make the rear door jamb look weird.

[Scott M.]

Re: Question on fitting doors

Gene, are you thinking I should leave them as they sit now?

[Gene M.]

Re: Question on fitting doors

Yes, unless you have a lot of time on your hands to change it. From what you express this was an observation and not a functional problem. Doors clear ok but the one is just close.

The gasket does not seal on that surface so you should be good to go.