Model A coupe doors

[1929]

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

[700rpm]

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.

[1929]

Originally Posted by 700rpm

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.

just put the body on the frame yesterday

[George Miller]

Originally Posted by 1929

just put the body on the frame yesterday

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

[1929]

Originally Posted by George Miller

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

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.

[1929]

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

[700rpm]

Originally Posted by 1929

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

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.

[Karl Wescott]

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.

[1929]

Great information Karl, thanks.