Model A coupe doors
 

What is the best way to line the doors up after installing new subrails? The two doors are off slightly.

Re: Model A coupe doors
 

Where are you in your assembly? Alignment starts with a staight frame, but then later when drive train and body blocks are in place and the body is sitting on the frame, begin the hood and door alignment.

Re: Model A coupe doors
 

just put the body on the frame yesterday

Re: Model A coupe doors
 

Most frames are bent down at the rear motor mounts. The driver side is usually the worst.

Re: Model A coupe doors
 

The frame was checked out before the sandblast, no bends. The doors I think were 29 1/2 exact top and bottom, The door openings were not exact top and bottom.

Re: Model A coupe doors
 

I just read over at The HAMB that the shims, body to frame made a perfect adjustment.

Re: Model A coupe doors
 

That is part of it. Start at the radiator, align the hood, then the doors. Coupes and Tudors are easier than open cars and Fordors.

Re: Model A coupe doors
 

1. Start with a straight frame. Our recommendations: http://www.wescottsauto.com/WebCatal..._Technical.pdf. Marco Tahtaras has some excellent recommendations too: http://www.abarnyard.com/workshop/door-1.htm.

2. Get the gap between the door and the cowl even. That alignment is fixed and determined by the hinges. To align the gap between the two requires bending the hinges.

3. Now mount the body and align the radiator/hood/cowl so all gaps are even (our guide and Marco's should clue you in to the principals).

4. Now start aligning the back of the body. NOTE: if the back of the body is "high" and sitting on the frame you will have to re-shim the radiator/cowl/hood.

5. If the top or bottom of one door hangs out at the back you may have a twist or body square issue. You can shim out a twist, out of square will require hydraulic help and body structure fix. If the top or bottom of both doors hangs out at the back you have a body width issue or door twist issue. The body width issue would likely be caused by incorrect crossmember width when replacing the subframe.

Dont be afraid to post photos.

Re: Model A coupe doors
 

Great information Karl, thanks.