Steve Tritle wrote:
>
> Dean,
>
> The door fit is very tedious.....SNIP
>
> Steve
> 52 TD
Steve:
The work of re-fitting doors to a T-Series car is onerous. Many factors
contribute to making this a difficult and frustrating job. If the wood
of the tonneau has deteriorated to the point that either the hinges are
loose, or the striker plate is loose, corrective treatment will have to
be applied at these points to ensure both these objects are able to be
properly secured. If the hinge pins have worn allowing the doors to
flop up and down they will have to be line bored and new oversize pins
fitted to eliminate the play. Only after these points have been taken
care of, can a restorer attempt to get the doors to fit properly. If
the tonneau has been removed for a complete restoration, it is extremely
unlikely that it will go back in exactly the same place as before,
resulting in changes to the size of the opening into which the door must
fit. It is possible to alter the size of the opening by either packing
up the tub's metal side rails where they are bolted to the chassis, and
even by altering the length of the diagonal threaded brace which
attaches to the triangular shaped firewall mounts and the front of the
chassis, thereby either stretching or contracting the door openings.
Another possibility is changing the shape of the door hinges by either
increasing or flattening out the radius of the curved portions, or by
judicial use of packing shims underneath them. Occassionally all of
these options I have outlined may have to be employed to a greater or
lesser extent to enable a satisfactory fit to be obtained.
It follows that the relative position of the lock/striker plate will
have to be adjusted via shims to ensure proper closing. Finally, it is
quite possible that the door itself may have to be 'flexed' or twisted
for correct alignment with the door opening to give an aesthetically
pleasing appearance. This can be done in situ by grasping the item
firmly, placing one's feet in the appropriate position and applying a
rotational force, accompanied by loud grunts, which always has an
impressive effect on any bystanders, usually resulting in an
appreciative round of applause and complimentary remarks, such as 'Oh,
isn't he strong', or, in my case,'I just LOVE his accent'.
Good luck.
Geoff Love, The English Connection
|