Door gaps
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 379
Likes: 10
From: N'Awlins
Door gaps
New front clip and rear quarters, how much door gap should I have. I have about 1/8" at front and rear of door, is this too small a gap. I'm worried that body flex will make the door and rear quarter panel (especially at top of door) hit each other. Don't want to chip the paint!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,461
Likes: 18
From: cooper city florida
For what it's worth, I checked my gaps on my 65 ragtop, and they are about 1/4" on both doors, front and back. I think your concerns about body flex with those gaps are well founded. I would be afraid to jack up the car.........sure looks nice though.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 116
From: AUSTIN Tx
If you properly install the door alignment wedges, the gaps should be fine. The wedges are designed to prevent the gaps from closing up during frame flexing. I like running tight gaps as well, and I have no problems, but my wedges are set tight. I use a paint stick as a gauge as well.
Regards, John McGraw
Regards, John McGraw
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
As illustrated in the '63 shop manual,
door/fender is 1/8"-1/4"
hood/fender is 1/16"-1/4"
hood/headlight panel is 1/8"-1/4"
headlight bucket/opening 1/16"-3/16"
There may be more or later information elsewhere. When you run very tight margins, you better be good with the flushness or out of flush will stick out like a sore thumb.
door/fender is 1/8"-1/4"
hood/fender is 1/16"-1/4"
hood/headlight panel is 1/8"-1/4"
headlight bucket/opening 1/16"-3/16"
There may be more or later information elsewhere. When you run very tight margins, you better be good with the flushness or out of flush will stick out like a sore thumb.
Paid Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,737
Likes: 35
From: OP KS
Good point Mike, the closer together the easier it is for the eye to see the difference in the levels between the adjoining surfaces.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 379
Likes: 10
From: N'Awlins
Hey guys, thanks for the quick feedback! 
Didn't remember about the the door wedges and I like the small gap, so I'll use the paint stick as a gauge. And the body panels will be matched to each other for good smooth flow.
Bought an el-cheapo HVLP gun from HF and using Evercoat (?) primer will start blocking the rear of car, working my way forward.
With the major 'glass work completed, I brought my car home to an A/C garage, now I work a little and watch TV, too!
Leaving tomorrow for Cruisin' the Coast, lots of great cars, cops are pretty cool as long as you're not too stupid
CJ
And, check out my bucket seat! Did that so I could wash 'glass dust off and still drive in and out of garage and around yard. Also, did a few burn outs on driveway.
Didn't remember about the the door wedges and I like the small gap, so I'll use the paint stick as a gauge. And the body panels will be matched to each other for good smooth flow.Bought an el-cheapo HVLP gun from HF and using Evercoat (?) primer will start blocking the rear of car, working my way forward.
With the major 'glass work completed, I brought my car home to an A/C garage, now I work a little and watch TV, too!
Leaving tomorrow for Cruisin' the Coast, lots of great cars, cops are pretty cool as long as you're not too stupid
CJ
And, check out my bucket seat! Did that so I could wash 'glass dust off and still drive in and out of garage and around yard. Also, did a few burn outs on driveway.
Last edited by 40ZR1; Oct 6, 2010 at 04:51 PM.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 559
Likes: 0
From: Guelph Ontario
If you properly install the door alignment wedges, the gaps should be fine. The wedges are designed to prevent the gaps from closing up during frame flexing. I like running tight gaps as well, and I have no problems, but my wedges are set tight. I use a paint stick as a gauge as well.
Regards, John McGraw
Regards, John McGraw
Thanks,
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 379
Likes: 10
From: N'Awlins
65ZR1, if you look at the picture with the bucket seat at the top of the door pillar you can see four holes, the two vertical inside are aluminum rivets that attach the door pillar to the birdcage. The two outside vertical threaded holes are for the door wedges and match two threaded holes in the door. They are plastic (?) with elongated slots for adjustment.
Paid Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,737
Likes: 35
From: OP KS
65ZR1, if you look at the picture with the bucket seat at the top of the door pillar you can see four holes, the two vertical inside are aluminum rivets that attach the door pillar to the birdcage. The two outside vertical threaded holes are for the door wedges and match two threaded holes in the door. They are plastic (?) with elongated slots for adjustment.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 559
Likes: 0
From: Guelph Ontario
65ZR1, if you look at the picture with the bucket seat at the top of the door pillar you can see four holes, the two vertical inside are aluminum rivets that attach the door pillar to the birdcage. The two outside vertical threaded holes are for the door wedges and match two threaded holes in the door. They are plastic (?) with elongated slots for adjustment.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 379
Likes: 10
From: N'Awlins
Yeap, 1954 Allstate Vespa. Bought it several years ago from original owner (fulfilling my childhood dream), last registered in 1957. Took it completely apart rebuilt the mechanicals, replaced deteriorated rubber and cleaned it up. 'They're only original once.'
Hey Shemp, what did you finally use to clean that trans case? "Inquiring minds want to know"
CJ
Hey Shemp, what did you finally use to clean that trans case? "Inquiring minds want to know"
CJ
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,565
Likes: 1
From: Melbourne victoria
Yeap, 1954 Allstate Vespa. Bought it several years ago from original owner (fulfilling my childhood dream), last registered in 1957. Took it completely apart rebuilt the mechanicals, replaced deteriorated rubber and cleaned it up. 'They're only original once.'
[IMG]http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii270/40ZR1/100_1632.jpg[/IM
G]
Hey Shemp, what did you finally use to clean that trans case? "Inquiring minds want to know"
CJ
[IMG]http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii270/40ZR1/100_1632.jpg[/IM
G]
Hey Shemp, what did you finally use to clean that trans case? "Inquiring minds want to know"
CJ
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 379
Likes: 10
From: N'Awlins
Stewy, don't know what they're worth but the parts are damn expensive. Had to have a couple of ball bearings made. New ones are too wide, thankfully I found a small bearing company in California that surface ground the widths of the inner and outer races before assembly.
As an aside, how do you copy a post as you have done? If I can't beat it with a 20 pounder, it's rocket science to me! Took me two tries to post this.
CJ
As an aside, how do you copy a post as you have done? If I can't beat it with a 20 pounder, it's rocket science to me!
Took me two tries to post this.CJ