The Ford Barn

beerslob · 05-31-2021, 09:55 AM

is there any adjustment on a 49 ford 4 door ? i have a wide gap between the doors and the front doors stick out at the bottom and it looks like the strikers need to be moved in but they dont seem to have any adjustment . the car hasent been wrecked and doesent look to ever been apart

FortyNiner · 06-01-2021, 06:48 AM

The adjustment technique for the trucks involves a 2x4 in various positions and pushing against the door. I would expect that the same approach would work for you.

Ken Henry · 06-01-2021, 02:26 PM

Not sure if it's the same, but on my 51 tudor the strikers can be loosened and moved around a bit. Any other adjustments need to be done before paint and are pretty brutal, e.g., prying with a 2x4, reshaping the hinges with a large hammer of by slamming the doors with a shim between the two halves. I had to weld a rod on to the rear edge of the front fender to close up that gap, and slice/re-weld one of the quarter panels to open that one. I still get water into the cabin various places when I wash it. Good luck! Ken

0A123251-307B-42A6-BCB7-1AFA70AF1D46 by kenhenry_06268, on Flickr

Frank Miller · 06-02-2021, 06:31 AM

These cars were notorious for poor panel fitment. The 49 latch is a one year only item that does not really have a straight forward adjustment procedure. As stated above you may need to use some 2x4s and pressure. I was once told to use 3/16 welding rod and a cutoff wheel to get the lines correct.

50FlatheadVert · 06-07-2021, 07:46 PM

Ken,

So is there hope for the '50 I inherited? Restoration was done but the doors were not done correctly...btw your '51 is a great color!

Ken Henry · 06-08-2021, 11:04 AM

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Thanks, it's supposed to be Mexicali maroon, not the original color for this car but one of my favorite 51 colors. I'm not sure how much can be accomplished without marring the paint but it sounds like at least the strikers on the 50 should be adjustable. Ken

05-31-2021, 09:55 AM	#1
beerslob Member Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 48	49 ford door adjustment is there any adjustment on a 49 ford 4 door ? i have a wide gap between the doors and the front doors stick out at the bottom and it looks like the strikers need to be moved in but they dont seem to have any adjustment . the car hasent been wrecked and doesent look to ever been apart

06-01-2021, 06:48 AM	#2
FortyNiner Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: u-rah-rah-Wisconsin Posts: 1,136	Re: 49 ford door adjustment The adjustment technique for the trucks involves a 2x4 in various positions and pushing against the door. I would expect that the same approach would work for you. __________________ 19 and 49 F1 - jes' like Henry II built 1946 Deluxe - as Henry built it

06-01-2021, 02:26 PM	#3
Ken Henry Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 266	Re: 49 ford door adjustment Not sure if it's the same, but on my 51 tudor the strikers can be loosened and moved around a bit. Any other adjustments need to be done before paint and are pretty brutal, e.g., prying with a 2x4, reshaping the hinges with a large hammer of by slamming the doors with a shim between the two halves. I had to weld a rod on to the rear edge of the front fender to close up that gap, and slice/re-weld one of the quarter panels to open that one. I still get water into the cabin various places when I wash it. Good luck! Ken 0A123251-307B-42A6-BCB7-1AFA70AF1D46 by kenhenry_06268, on Flickr

06-02-2021, 06:31 AM	#4
Frank Miller Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auburn, MA Posts: 2,106	Re: 49 ford door adjustment These cars were notorious for poor panel fitment. The 49 latch is a one year only item that does not really have a straight forward adjustment procedure. As stated above you may need to use some 2x4s and pressure. I was once told to use 3/16 welding rod and a cutoff wheel to get the lines correct. __________________ “The technique of infamy is to start two lies at once and get people arguing heatedly over which is true.” ~ Ezra Pound

06-07-2021, 07:46 PM	#5
50FlatheadVert Member Join Date: May 2021 Location: Northern VA Posts: 39	Re: 49 ford door adjustment Ken, So is there hope for the '50 I inherited? Restoration was done but the doors were not done correctly...btw your '51 is a great color! __________________ 2009 BMW 135i, 2017 GTI S, 1990 SSP Notch (SOLD), Other Foxbodies (SOLD)

06-08-2021, 11:04 AM	#6
Ken Henry Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 266	Re: 49 ford door adjustment Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks, it's supposed to be Mexicali maroon, not the original color for this car but one of my favorite 51 colors. I'm not sure how much can be accomplished without marring the paint but it sounds like at least the strikers on the 50 should be adjustable. Ken