1975 Convertible Driver Door Misaligned
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
1975 Convertible Driver Door Misaligned
Hi Guys, I am new member that's just starting to restore a 1975 C3 Convertible that was bought new by my deceased father. It has seen a lot better days and I am hoping to get it back to it's former glory. I noticed today the drivers door is really out of alignment. It opens and closes ok, but the body lines are not matching at the top where the door meets the quarter panel. The front (fender side) of the door seems closer to being straight. Could the door be warped? the frame looks ok and I took off the sill and the floor under it looks ok. I am hoping it's just the door. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,600
Likes: 7,046
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Rookie suggestion:
Open the door about half way.......
grab underneath the door bottom edge....
DON'T HURT YOUR BACK......
lift up and down on the door to see how much "slack" is in the door hinge pins.....
How much up/down slack did you feel:
None_______
1/4" or more ?_______
Let us know.
Open the door about half way.......
grab underneath the door bottom edge....
DON'T HURT YOUR BACK......
lift up and down on the door to see how much "slack" is in the door hinge pins.....
How much up/down slack did you feel:
None_______
1/4" or more ?_______
Let us know.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 40
Do you know the history of your new car?
Was it ever wrecked ?
Will the tops , fit properly?
The door bushing could be completely missing at the top hinge. Should be no play lifting up a bottom corner . I replaced mine last year. Common issue .
Rest of the area. Can see looks ruff.
Probably need to step back , take few more pics that allow a more complete area of body to be viewed.
I hope the frame is good....but.. These things get jacked up incorrectly , and rusted out frame pickets etc, all kinds of things are possible.
Give us more pics to analyze
Was it ever wrecked ?
Will the tops , fit properly?
The door bushing could be completely missing at the top hinge. Should be no play lifting up a bottom corner . I replaced mine last year. Common issue .
Rest of the area. Can see looks ruff.
Probably need to step back , take few more pics that allow a more complete area of body to be viewed.
I hope the frame is good....but.. These things get jacked up incorrectly , and rusted out frame pickets etc, all kinds of things are possible.
Give us more pics to analyze
Last edited by LS4 PILOT; Nov 27, 2014 at 06:54 PM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Hi Guys, I did lift up on the door earlier (car is being stored at brother's house) I did pull up on it and it felt pretty tight NO PLAY. I will definitely try from the corner tomorrow see if maybe I didn't lift hard enough. I know they replace the pin and bushings back in 1986. The car did get backed into and it look like it took a square shot in the bumper and did put a couple of cracks in the body. The passenger door is shutting pretty square and lining up much better. The guy that painted the car back in 1987 used some kind of paint or prep that is making all of the paint come off in chunks. As soon as I get mobile again, I am taking it to a body shop to get estimate. Putting new plugs and Marvel Mystery oil in all the cylinders and going to try and fire it up on Monday. Then try and figure out why it's stuck in gear...lol
If this was not my dad's corvette it would have been junked. I did check the birdcage and it looks like just a little surface. I do still need figure out how
to remove that stainless steel molding without damaging it. Thank you guys for all the input and sorry to be such a FNG... Happy Thanksgiving!
If this was not my dad's corvette it would have been junked. I did check the birdcage and it looks like just a little surface. I do still need figure out how
to remove that stainless steel molding without damaging it. Thank you guys for all the input and sorry to be such a FNG... Happy Thanksgiving!
Racer
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 364
Likes: 39
From: Sebastian FL
Door
Hi Guys, I did lift up on the door earlier (car is being stored at brother's house) I did pull up on it and it felt pretty tight NO PLAY. I will definitely try from the corner tomorrow see if maybe I didn't lift hard enough. I know they replace the pin and bushings back in 1986. The car did get backed into and it look like it took a square shot in the bumper and did put a couple of cracks in the body. The passenger door is shutting pretty square and lining up much better. The guy that painted the car back in 1987 used some kind of paint or prep that is making all of the paint come off in chunks. As soon as I get mobile again, I am taking it to a body shop to get estimate. Putting new plugs and Marvel Mystery oil in all the cylinders and going to try and fire it up on Monday. Then try and figure out why it's stuck in gear...lol
If this was not my dad's corvette it would have been junked. I did check the birdcage and it looks like just a little surface. I do still need figure out how
to remove that stainless steel molding without damaging it. Thank you guys for all the input and sorry to be such a FNG... Happy Thanksgiving!
If this was not my dad's corvette it would have been junked. I did check the birdcage and it looks like just a little surface. I do still need figure out how
to remove that stainless steel molding without damaging it. Thank you guys for all the input and sorry to be such a FNG... Happy Thanksgiving!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
1975 Radiator Core Support
Hi Guys, I just finished pulling the motor and trans in 1975 350 4-Speed convertible. I notice the Radiator Core Support is pretty much gone due to rust... I'm hoping to replace before going forward with anything else. I appears that the core support just bolts in and I was wondering if anyone had any advice on replacing the core and is there anything else I should check or replace while I have this time without the motor and trans in the way? Thanks
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
No, I was not aware of that fact. That's really awesome...Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate any and all input!