The Ford Barn

braol · 07-20-2018, 03:18 PM

Hello! I've posted below about my new Model A ('31 Tudor). One nagging question: car is straight, no rust, looks even all around but...the back edge of both doors do not sit 100% flush with the body...like they are not shut all the way...not a ridiculous amount, but enough to be noticeable. The gap is even all the way up the door and the passenger side is ever so slightly less flush than the other. First thought is sagging frame, but if that were so the door gap would get progressively narrower at the top. The amount of protrusion is also even from bottom to top, so it's not a frame twist issue.

Is there a way to 'tighten-up' the door closure so that the doors sit flush to the body?

Tacoma Bob · 07-20-2018, 03:31 PM

If you slowly close the door do you feel any type of bind? If not you might get lucky by adjusting the striker/latch mechanism. Sounds like it may be worn a bit.

Bob C · 07-20-2018, 04:39 PM

The doors overlap the body in the back.

Bob

woofa.express · 07-20-2018, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by braol

Hello! I've posted below about my new Model A ('31 Tudor). One nagging question: car is straight, no rust, looks even all around but...the back edge of both doors do not sit 100% flush with the body...like they are not shut all the way...not a ridiculous amount, but enough to be noticeable. The gap is even all the way up the door and the passenger side is ever so slightly less flush than the other. First thought is sagging frame, but if that were so the door gap would get progressively narrower at the top. The amount of protrusion is also even from bottom to top, so it's not a frame twist issue.

Is there a way to 'tighten-up' the door closure so that the doors sit flush to the body?

yeh, "me to". marginal but irritating. I'll watch for the responders, cheers, gary.

Vin-tin · 07-20-2018, 04:48 PM

Yeah what Bob said. They aren't suppose to be flush like a modern car.

Oldbluoval · 07-20-2018, 05:31 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Later on they were "aircraft" doors; not overlapping the jamb pillar
If they are out all way up, Tacoma Bob has a point in binding.
Post some pics if you can
There is some adjustment in the striker that might draw the whole door in a bit

Synchro909 · 07-20-2018, 06:16 PM

I don't know how many times well meaning people have told me that the door isn't closed properly and look thoroughly confused when I say they are supposed to be that way. They didn't make cars the same way 90 years ago as they do now.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 07-21-2018, 08:02 AM

With a flat file, sharpen the "teeth" on the striker plates, helps them "bite" into the door latch, better.
Bill Sharp

braol · 07-24-2018, 09:46 AM

The sprung metal piece that "opens" when you turn the handle is worn where it rests on the body mounted striker plate. I will post a photo this afternoon or tomorrow.

Tacoma Bob · 07-24-2018, 09:53 AM

If you can get the striker loosened up a bit to adjust, that may be all you need.

braol · 07-24-2018, 11:50 AM

Strykers are at max adjustment.

Tacoma Bob · 07-24-2018, 12:04 PM

Latch needs some attention. Perhaps remove and build up with by welding then file down.

old31 · 07-24-2018, 01:00 PM

To me the picture of the door looks perfectly fine. Normal.

Oldbluoval · 07-24-2018, 02:26 PM

Agree with old31

Dennis Pereira · 07-24-2018, 02:29 PM

It must be the heat what pictures .

DD931 · 07-24-2018, 03:22 PM

Tudor doors overlap. They're built that way and are not designed to be flush.

Synchro909 · 07-24-2018, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dennis Pereira

It must be the heat what pictures .

It's cold here but I agree, what pictures!?

07-20-2018, 03:18 PM	#1
braol Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Endeavor, WI Posts: 119	Question about flushness of doors... Hello! I've posted below about my new Model A ('31 Tudor). One nagging question: car is straight, no rust, looks even all around but...the back edge of both doors do not sit 100% flush with the body...like they are not shut all the way...not a ridiculous amount, but enough to be noticeable. The gap is even all the way up the door and the passenger side is ever so slightly less flush than the other. First thought is sagging frame, but if that were so the door gap would get progressively narrower at the top. The amount of protrusion is also even from bottom to top, so it's not a frame twist issue. Is there a way to 'tighten-up' the door closure so that the doors sit flush to the body? __________________ "I have not yet begun to defile myself." -Doc Holliday '31 Tudor, '69 F100, '66 Mustang, '11 Ford Flex

07-20-2018, 03:31 PM	#2
Tacoma Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 1,025	Re: Question about flushness of doors... If you slowly close the door do you feel any type of bind? If not you might get lucky by adjusting the striker/latch mechanism. Sounds like it may be worn a bit.

07-20-2018, 04:48 PM	#5
Vin-tin Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Eastern Pa. Posts: 543	Re: Question about flushness of doors... Yeah what Bob said. They aren't suppose to be flush like a modern car. __________________ 1929 Coupe 1930 Coupe 1935 Ford 5 window coupe

07-20-2018, 05:31 PM	#6
Oldbluoval Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Signal Mtn, TN (SE TN) Posts: 2,372	Re: Question about flushness of doors... Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Later on they were "aircraft" doors; not overlapping the jamb pillar If they are out all way up, Tacoma Bob has a point in binding. Post some pics if you can There is some adjustment in the striker that might draw the whole door in a bit Last edited by Oldbluoval; 07-20-2018 at 06:31 PM.

07-20-2018, 06:16 PM	#7
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: Question about flushness of doors... I don't know how many times well meaning people have told me that the door isn't closed properly and look thoroughly confused when I say they are supposed to be that way. They didn't make cars the same way 90 years ago as they do now. __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

07-21-2018, 08:02 AM	#8
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Question about flushness of doors... With a flat file, sharpen the "teeth" on the striker plates, helps them "bite" into the door latch, better. Bill Sharp __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

07-24-2018, 09:46 AM	#9
braol Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Endeavor, WI Posts: 119	Re: Question about flushness of doors... The sprung metal piece that "opens" when you turn the handle is worn where it rests on the body mounted striker plate. I will post a photo this afternoon or tomorrow. __________________ "I have not yet begun to defile myself." -Doc Holliday '31 Tudor, '69 F100, '66 Mustang, '11 Ford Flex

07-24-2018, 09:53 AM	#10
Tacoma Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 1,025	Re: Question about flushness of doors... If you can get the striker loosened up a bit to adjust, that may be all you need.

07-24-2018, 11:50 AM	#11
braol Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Endeavor, WI Posts: 119	Re: Question about flushness of doors... Strykers are at max adjustment. __________________ "I have not yet begun to defile myself." -Doc Holliday '31 Tudor, '69 F100, '66 Mustang, '11 Ford Flex

07-24-2018, 12:04 PM	#12
Tacoma Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 1,025	Re: Question about flushness of doors... Latch needs some attention. Perhaps remove and build up with by welding then file down.

07-24-2018, 01:00 PM	#13
old31 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 2,100	Re: Question about flushness of doors... To me the picture of the door looks perfectly fine. Normal.

07-24-2018, 02:26 PM	#14
Oldbluoval Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Signal Mtn, TN (SE TN) Posts: 2,372	Re: Question about flushness of doors... Agree with old31

07-24-2018, 02:29 PM	#15
Dennis Pereira Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Georgetown Divide Kelsey ca Posts: 868	Re: Question about flushness of doors... It must be the heat what pictures . __________________ Dennis in Kelsey ca

07-24-2018, 03:22 PM	#16
DD931 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: PA Poconos Posts: 723	Re: Question about flushness of doors... Tudor doors overlap. They're built that way and are not designed to be flush.