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10-03-2022, 08:58 PM | #21 | |
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Re: 1940 Deluxe Convertible Door Alignment
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I'll read over this entire thread tomorrow and add my .02¢. I had recently completed a '40 convertible that was rolled. Each and every panel was damaged. That's okay in itself. However, the guy who had the car before me did a ton of work and didn't apparently own a ruler. Once I'd stripped the body, it was MUCH worse than anything I'd ever encountered. I'd thought I knew a lot of "tricks" before this car. I learned a ton more with this one. More than I'd ever wanted to.
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10-03-2022, 10:14 PM | #22 |
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Re: 1940 Deluxe Convertible Door Alignment
Thanks Kube,
Nick |
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10-04-2022, 06:32 AM | #23 |
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Re: 1940 Deluxe Convertible Door Alignment
For what it's worth I measured my '40 this morning, it is 54 3/8 across that opening. I don't think the body has ever been off of the frame. I agree that it could be a body shim issue, although I wouldn't rule out putting a screw jack between the quarters and stretching it out a smidge.
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10-04-2022, 07:26 AM | #24 | |
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Re: 1940 Deluxe Convertible Door Alignment
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Nick |
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10-04-2022, 07:44 AM | #25 | |
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Re: 1940 Deluxe Convertible Door Alignment
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How does the top fit to the top of the doors glass frames?
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10-04-2022, 07:45 AM | #26 | |
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Re: 1940 Deluxe Convertible Door Alignment
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10-04-2022, 07:53 AM | #27 | |
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Re: 1940 Deluxe Convertible Door Alignment
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I have not had the top up yet. Only had the car a few weeks. Actually going to the DMV this morning to transfer title. Carb is off to Charlie in NY to rebuild, so will have to wait for it to get back before trying to raise it. Nick |
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10-04-2022, 08:45 AM | #28 |
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Re: 1940 Deluxe Convertible Door Alignment
Nick: Mine is 54 1/2” inside to inside.
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10-04-2022, 09:46 AM | #29 |
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Re: 1940 Deluxe Convertible Door Alignment
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10-04-2022, 11:32 AM | #30 |
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Re: 1940 Deluxe Convertible Door Alignment
Before I would attempt to move the post any I would first go underneath and loosen the bolts associated with that post and the screws that hold the wood board that runs under the front edge of the seat. Then pull it by hand to see if you get any movement. I don’t think I would try any mechanical force by pushing off the right side post.
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10-04-2022, 11:37 AM | #31 |
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Re: 1940 Deluxe Convertible Door Alignment
Kube beat me to the reply. I can easily imagine ending up with 2 doors that didn't fit if you pushed out between the tops of the pillars. I sure hope you can remedy this without some repainting.
Did this car come out of an auction? Just wondering, like always, things look better in pictures. |
10-04-2022, 11:38 AM | #32 | |
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Re: 1940 Deluxe Convertible Door Alignment
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10-04-2022, 11:55 AM | #33 |
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Re: 1940 Deluxe Convertible Door Alignment
The usual problem with doors fitting in a convertible is the angle of the front clip (hood, dash, and fenders). I am not familiar with the '40 ragtops, but later models, such as my '47, have an adjustment between the clip and the frame to move the angle to allow the doors to fit. Trying to bend anything can result in worsening the fit.
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10-04-2022, 11:59 AM | #34 |
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Re: 1940 Deluxe Convertible Door Alignment
Hello Nick. Thanks for your patience with me. Life gets in the way of fun all too often. Still, life is great
Anyway... your car: How are the vertical gaps of the door vs. the quarter? Is the character line of the quarter even with the character line of the door? How is the vertical gap between the door and the A pillar? If the gaps are even, then the issue is most likely the door itself. If the gaps are not even, I'd suggest you shim the body as necessary to get them even prior to doing anything with the door skin sticking out from the quarter. You will only be able to adjust the vertical gap between the door and the quarter by shimming. As the door is fastened to the A pillar, any adjustment that may be necessary there, must be done with the hinges. If the vertical gap is nice but not quite perfect, often enough a shim can be added (hidden) behind a hinge. I would like to reiterate... do NOT attempt to push or pull the quarter panels. That ship has sailed! Let's go at this very methodically. So, your turn... let me know about the gaps. Keep in mind, once we (you) start the alignment process, do one thing at a time.
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10-04-2022, 12:49 PM | #35 |
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Re: 1940 Deluxe Convertible Door Alignment
Nick, Just had an errant thought... I'd suggest you fold the top to the up-position ASAP. The canvas tends to shrink when left down for an extended period.
If the top doesn't want to go all the way up, get it close to the header and let it sit for a while. Don't force it. Occasionally, I have found it necessary to wet the canvas and while it's sitting in the hot sun, pull the top down slowly... Remove the hoses from the top switch and with one person on each side of the car, you may move the top assembly by hand.
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10-04-2022, 02:42 PM | #36 | |
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Re: 1940 Deluxe Convertible Door Alignment
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I appreciate your input. Thanks, Nick |
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10-04-2022, 03:08 PM | #37 |
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Re: 1940 Deluxe Convertible Door Alignment
Very nice looking paint job, the proverbial “mirror”!
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10-04-2022, 03:11 PM | #38 | |
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Re: 1940 Deluxe Convertible Door Alignment
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Nope, you understood completely. In fact, thanks for the photos which are very helpful. Placing the straight edge on the door at the B pillar is also helpful to me. That height difference should've been fixed prior to paint. I'd say way too late now. The doors and body lines should have been all gapped perfectly and then the top of the B pillar either built up or filed down to come even with the top of the door. Back in 1940, Ford used lead atop that B pillar to even things up with the door. I have had to build them up and at times, and at other times file them down during my restorations. Okay, next "step" if you so desire. If you want the character line to match between the door and quarter, now is the time to do that. This is going to be a tedious task that requires a lot of patience. It is done by adding / subtracting body to frame shims. You will lose hair during this process. I am amazed I still have any hair remaining. The door gap at the bottom is way too tight, especially on a convertible body. Oh, did you remove the male catch? There was originally a rectangular block captured behind the B pillar that the two screws were threaded in to. All of the rubber bumpers are removed?
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10-04-2022, 03:40 PM | #39 |
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Re: 1940 Deluxe Convertible Door Alignment
Get the porta power out...quick fix.
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10-04-2022, 04:00 PM | #40 |
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Re: 1940 Deluxe Convertible Door Alignment
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