Headlight Door Alignment Question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,569
Likes: 126
From: San Diego California
Headlight Door Alignment Question
Is it possible for a Headlight door to be bent?
I'm wanting to align all doors before painting the '73, and the right front headlight door seems a problem. It aligns flush with the body all along the upper edge, but the door at the lower edge starts out 1/16" below the body from the outer corner, then the door gradually rises inward, to a level of about 1/16" above the body at the inner corner.
I don't see an adjustment that can be made to make all edges flush with the body, but maybe someone here may know of one.
Any thoughts on this, MUCH appreciated.
Steve
I'm wanting to align all doors before painting the '73, and the right front headlight door seems a problem. It aligns flush with the body all along the upper edge, but the door at the lower edge starts out 1/16" below the body from the outer corner, then the door gradually rises inward, to a level of about 1/16" above the body at the inner corner.
I don't see an adjustment that can be made to make all edges flush with the body, but maybe someone here may know of one.
Any thoughts on this, MUCH appreciated.
Steve
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,301
Likes: 4,390
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Steve,
I believe you'll find that the 2 headlight door hinge pivot bushings can be ajusted to 'tilt' the door so it's flush at all 4 corners.
This photo shows the door pivots.
The one on the left is quite visible and part of the one on the right is just visible.
There are 3 bolts for each bushing.
Takes some 'fiddling'.
Regards,
Alan
I believe you'll find that the 2 headlight door hinge pivot bushings can be ajusted to 'tilt' the door so it's flush at all 4 corners.
This photo shows the door pivots.
The one on the left is quite visible and part of the one on the right is just visible.
There are 3 bolts for each bushing.
Takes some 'fiddling'.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Nov 30, 2017 at 12:17 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,569
Likes: 126
From: San Diego California
Hi Alan.
I'll give it a shot. Can reach the outer pivot bolts thru the hood and the inner from the bottom.
If needed, I've got a spare door that I know is straight.
Thank you Alan!
Steve
I'll give it a shot. Can reach the outer pivot bolts thru the hood and the inner from the bottom.
If needed, I've got a spare door that I know is straight.
Thank you Alan!
Steve
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,569
Likes: 126
From: San Diego California
Hi Alan.
I'm afraid the door must be bent. I loosened up the end bearing housings and tried all combinations of positions. If I raise one side, it cannot be lowered enough on the other. I remember having to fill a dent it had from a PO's accident, so now I'm hoping the door's support structure isn't compromised.
It's not off that much right now. But if you look close at it, it's there, so the investigation continues.
Steve
I'm afraid the door must be bent. I loosened up the end bearing housings and tried all combinations of positions. If I raise one side, it cannot be lowered enough on the other. I remember having to fill a dent it had from a PO's accident, so now I'm hoping the door's support structure isn't compromised.
It's not off that much right now. But if you look close at it, it's there, so the investigation continues.
Steve
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,301
Likes: 4,390
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Steve,
It sounds like you gave it a good try.
Have you put a straight edge along the front edge of the door to see if a distortion is obvious?
Is there ANY chance the hood surround might have a slight 'twist' in it from the accident you mention?
???
It would be nice to figure this out before the car is painted!!!
Regards,
Alan
It sounds like you gave it a good try.
Have you put a straight edge along the front edge of the door to see if a distortion is obvious?
Is there ANY chance the hood surround might have a slight 'twist' in it from the accident you mention?
???
It would be nice to figure this out before the car is painted!!!
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,569
Likes: 126
From: San Diego California
Completed.
Hi Alan,
I just finished installing the Headlight Door assembly with the replacement Door.
Yes indeed, the old Door was tweaked a bit. I'm concluding this because the "new" Door assembly adjusted so it fits flush and with an even gap along all edges.
I've learned that adjusting door "flushness" and top & bottom door gap is done with the 3-bolt pivot "bearing" holders. And tightening those bolts loose enough to move them, but tight enough to stay in position, I was able to adjust its position without assistance. The door's pivot shaft collars, with the 1/8" Allen set screw, allows door side-to-side edge gap adjustment.
I was very fortunate to find a fellow forum member who was willing to part with his spare door, and at a very generous-to-me price.
The help I get from the people here is wonderful and greatly appreciated.
Steve
I just finished installing the Headlight Door assembly with the replacement Door.
Yes indeed, the old Door was tweaked a bit. I'm concluding this because the "new" Door assembly adjusted so it fits flush and with an even gap along all edges.
I've learned that adjusting door "flushness" and top & bottom door gap is done with the 3-bolt pivot "bearing" holders. And tightening those bolts loose enough to move them, but tight enough to stay in position, I was able to adjust its position without assistance. The door's pivot shaft collars, with the 1/8" Allen set screw, allows door side-to-side edge gap adjustment.
I was very fortunate to find a fellow forum member who was willing to part with his spare door, and at a very generous-to-me price.
The help I get from the people here is wonderful and greatly appreciated.
Steve
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,301
Likes: 4,390
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Steve,
It seems this has ended well!
I guess the fact that you're getting READY for having the car painted... rather than trying to attain a good fit AFTER it's painted..... is another example of the value of spending the time and effort to fit bumpers, grills, trim, AND headlight doors, BEFORE the painting begins!
Regards,
Alan
It seems this has ended well!
I guess the fact that you're getting READY for having the car painted... rather than trying to attain a good fit AFTER it's painted..... is another example of the value of spending the time and effort to fit bumpers, grills, trim, AND headlight doors, BEFORE the painting begins!
Regards,
Alan
