Ok, here I go again, but you fellows were so good at answering my last question, see if you can point me to a post or give me some help. I hung both doors today, they actually look great but the bottom is out to far on both doors. The drivers is only out about 1/8 th inch, and the passengers is out about 1/4. I found out that there is no in or out adjustment. The book says something about bending the hinge... did the person that came up with that bright idea look at the thickness of the hinge? Both doors fit great all the way around with almost exactly the same spacing, but because the bottom sticks out the top is in a little to far which will be remedied when the bottom goes in... Next question My temp guage bulb in the side of the block needs an adapter to let it fit into the 350 block. This being a little town, I can't seem to find one. I see an adapter in CP catalogue, but there is no detail so I don't know if it is for this or just to reduce the size. Thanks before hand, I know I'm fixin to get an answer. Ya'll aint failed me yet TB'sD
Spring the hinges with a very sophistacated tool. It's called a 2X4. wedge it in the right place, and apply ever so gentle pressure on the suspect area. It's hard to explain, but think about it, and it will work. Gentle pressure. Did I mention gentle pressure? That's the key!
2x4 Ken, I can see how that would work to get the doors out but they are too far out now. I'll have to think about it as you say for a little while. I need to get them to go back in towards the cab. I thought about elongateing the bolt holes in the post, but with the trim welded to the hinges they will not go any farther in. Guess I'll have to think a little longer. The old truch was painted black when I got it and the doors sure didn't fit well but I just took the doors off and didn't pay atention to the fit that much, but I am finding out more as I go and now I know that these doors didn't come with this truck. I'll get em to fit somehow, just need to think, think, think,,, ouch, that hurts TB'sD
Old Shop Manuals Boops Dad, Try this. I was in a hurry so I didn't look too close, but it might help. http://chevy.tocmp.com/1948_51truckshop/51ctsm0101.htm One level higher is this. http://chevy.tocmp.com/ I actually had to take a huge dent puller when we had the lower cowl panel off and jerk the crap out of it. Folks were notorius for letting the door spring back against the cowl and ruining the fit for future restorers like us. Good luck, Bill
Or you could take the hinge off, put it in a vise, heat that baby to a nice cherry red color, catch one end in the jaws of a big pipe wrench, and bend it any way you want.
Door alignment I just fit the doors on my GMC, had the same problem your having. Found that if you move the lower hinge up on the cab and in the slot in the door your door will move in. You can also adjust the top hinge the same way, In or out. Chris
adjusted Hey Azcarman411, your recomendation helped greatly. Still had to tweek the lower passenger side hing a little using a 3/4 inch thick piece of steel and two clamps, but, the hinge came in considerably just by moving it up all the way. The drivers side door fit just right just by moving the hinge to the top. Thanks, See, I told you that you fellows wouldnt let me down. Now I can go on to installing all the parts on the doors. TBsD
As Col. John "Hannibal" Smith used to say, "I love it when a plan comes together." All you need now is a good cigar. Glad it worked out. Gater
