The Ford Barn

oldredford · 03-01-2016, 01:13 PM

A word to the wise, these new reproduction doors that first came out by Bob Drake now I believe carpenters, these doors may fit a new body but try fitting them on an original 1940 Ford coupe. They do not fit. After years of going down the road, I am sure the body has shifted, moved around a bit. New doors on an old body probably wasn't the best thing to do.

After more closely detailed inspection, I found some damage to the lower hinge and did some adjusting now the door fits better.

39topless · 03-01-2016, 01:26 PM

Your eloquence is disappointing.

rotorwrench · 03-01-2016, 01:44 PM

I haven't had a chance to look at these doors so I can't comment one way or the other. I'm not from Missouri but my Grandmother was so I am a 2nd gen show me kind of person. The seed of doubt has been sewn but I would like bit more visual proof than this. What was the response of the dealer for the problem with this item?

I hear tell that the fordor sedan doors can be made to work with a little modification.

ricklove · 03-01-2016, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 39topless

Your eloquence is disappointing.

okiedokie · 03-01-2016, 01:51 PM

X2. 39topless

GB SISSON · 03-01-2016, 01:51 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by oldredford

A word to the wise, these new reproduction doors that first came out by Bob Drake now I believe carpenters, these doors may fit a new body but try fitting them on an original 1940 Ford coupe. They do not fit. I like to use the term, "Fucked me to tears". What a piece of shit...

Don't candy coat it.....

okiedokie · 03-01-2016, 01:52 PM

Sometimes fitting doors from a different body is problematic.

alchemy · 03-01-2016, 04:47 PM

I don't know how poorly your new repros fit, but I wouldn't even expect an original Henry Ford '40 door to fit perfectly from one body to the next. There wasn't only one factory, stamping die, or laborer fitting them together. Each one is going to be a little different.

And how do you know it isn't your body that's sprung crooked a bit?

Charlie ny · 03-01-2016, 05:33 PM

old red,
Say what's on yer mind the way you see it ! I would like to hear what DC and Co had to say about this situation. Perhaps I have been overwhelmingly fortunate
but I've used far away doors and hoods etc on a number of my old Fords and while I
will confess the gaps in some cases left something to be desired they otherwise fit
and functioned in an acceptable manner.
Charlie ny

Bored&Stroked · 03-01-2016, 06:49 PM

Yeah, would like to know what the issue was/is? If it doesn't mount correctly, components don't bolt in (latches, regulators), is the wrong shape, etc - that would be a big issue (like the door skin just being wrong), but if it is things like door gaps . . . I'd expect that. Hell, I'd expect to work on those sorts of things on any door replacement on an early Ford.

When I had new quarters hand built and put in my 32 Cab, the metalworker "Flop" asked me --> "Dale, do you want the gaps like Henry did them (they actually got a bit tighter at the bottom) . . . or do you want car-show consistency all around?"

I said this car should be as close to Henry made it as possible - so put them back exactly like it was. The before/after results were perfect . . . well maybe not perfect, just Henry Ford style.

There is always work to do with metal . . . just is . . .

D

russcc · 03-01-2016, 07:41 PM

"There is always work to do with metal" Right on target. Not saying imported stuff is on the money in my experience

03-01-2016, 01:13 PM	#1
oldredford Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Moncks Corner, SC Posts: 439	1940 doors made in China. A word to the wise, these new reproduction doors that first came out by Bob Drake now I believe carpenters, these doors may fit a new body but try fitting them on an original 1940 Ford coupe. They do not fit. After years of going down the road, I am sure the body has shifted, moved around a bit. New doors on an old body probably wasn't the best thing to do. After more closely detailed inspection, I found some damage to the lower hinge and did some adjusting now the door fits better. Last edited by oldredford; 03-02-2016 at 05:07 PM.

03-01-2016, 01:26 PM	#2
39topless Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 1,027	Re: 1940 doors made in China. Your eloquence is disappointing.

03-01-2016, 01:44 PM	#3
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,436	Re: 1940 doors made in China. I haven't had a chance to look at these doors so I can't comment one way or the other. I'm not from Missouri but my Grandmother was so I am a 2nd gen show me kind of person. The seed of doubt has been sewn but I would like bit more visual proof than this. What was the response of the dealer for the problem with this item? I hear tell that the fordor sedan doors can be made to work with a little modification.

03-01-2016, 01:51 PM	#5
okiedokie Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tulsa Ok Posts: 519	Re: 1940 doors made in China. X2. 39topless

03-01-2016, 01:52 PM	#7
okiedokie Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tulsa Ok Posts: 519	Re: 1940 doors made in China. Sometimes fitting doors from a different body is problematic.

03-01-2016, 04:47 PM	#8
alchemy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: middle of Iowa Posts: 647	Re: 1940 doors made in China. I don't know how poorly your new repros fit, but I wouldn't even expect an original Henry Ford '40 door to fit perfectly from one body to the next. There wasn't only one factory, stamping die, or laborer fitting them together. Each one is going to be a little different. And how do you know it isn't your body that's sprung crooked a bit?

03-01-2016, 05:33 PM	#9
Charlie ny BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 3,019	Re: 1940 doors made in China. old red, Say what's on yer mind the way you see it ! I would like to hear what DC and Co had to say about this situation. Perhaps I have been overwhelmingly fortunate but I've used far away doors and hoods etc on a number of my old Fords and while I will confess the gaps in some cases left something to be desired they otherwise fit and functioned in an acceptable manner. Charlie ny

03-01-2016, 06:49 PM	#10
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,068	Re: 1940 doors made in China. Yeah, would like to know what the issue was/is? If it doesn't mount correctly, components don't bolt in (latches, regulators), is the wrong shape, etc - that would be a big issue (like the door skin just being wrong), but if it is things like door gaps . . . I'd expect that. Hell, I'd expect to work on those sorts of things on any door replacement on an early Ford. When I had new quarters hand built and put in my 32 Cab, the metalworker "Flop" asked me --> "Dale, do you want the gaps like Henry did them (they actually got a bit tighter at the bottom) . . . or do you want car-show consistency all around?" I said this car should be as close to Henry made it as possible - so put them back exactly like it was. The before/after results were perfect . . . well maybe not perfect, just Henry Ford style. There is always work to do with metal . . . just is . . . D

03-01-2016, 07:41 PM	#11
russcc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,871	Re: 1940 doors made in China. "There is always work to do with metal" Right on target. Not saying imported stuff is on the money in my experience