Reproduction Parts for 1916-1964 Chevrolet Passenger Cars & 1918-1987 Chevrolet & GMC Trucks
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I found a set of well-done reproduction door sill plates at Hershey last weekend, the end of a very long search. My original driver door sill plate is heavily damaged in part due to the drag of the fabric door welting at the rear corner of the door over the decades. The driver's door does seem to drop about 1/8" along the top edge front to back, and sits very low on the door latch strike plate compared to the well adjusted passenger door. Before I install these sill plates, I would like to "tweak" the door upwards at the back edge a bit.
I cannot find anything helpful in the Fisher body manual. There is no obvious method of adjustment or apparent place to slip in shims. There is no play at all in the hinges - the door is very firm and swings well with no noise. It just looks slightly out of adjustment.
If this were a more modern all-metal vehicle, I'd be tempted to jack the door a bit to bend the hinge...but with wood, I am a bit concerned to try. The car has been fully restored by my inlaws including all the wood framing. The door welting was replaced and appears to be tight and in the correct location.
Any tips on how to get 1/16"-1/8" higher at the rear of the driver's door?
Thanks in advance.
Randy
1930 sports coupe
I'm not familiar with the hinges of your year so someone with specific knowledge will need to chime in. If you open the door just slightly, grab the back of the door frame and lift the door up and down, do you get any movement at the hinges?
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1938 Master Business Coupe-Sold, now living in New Jersey
1953 210 Sedan
The procedure is in the service news, I will try and post a screen shot. From memory you want to leave the front bolt alone and loosen the next bolt back by the hinge pillar. Raise the sill enough to slide an 1/8 inch or so shim between the existing shims and the sill and tighten the bolt and see how much you moved the back of the door. There will be some trial and error with this process.
Dave
Tiny, no movement at all. Thanks for the reply.
David - thank you for these details...exactly what I needed! I never heard of the Service News before but see there are reprints available. They are now on my wish list. Much appreciated.
Randy