Help me with some logic?

[stag36587]

So today I trial fitted my drivers door - good even gap all the way round though admittedly some "minor" fettling will be needed at the door/front wing gap.

Anyway, I am really struggling to get the door hinges in exactly the right place.

First I fitted a couple of bolts in top and bottom door hinges and trial shut the door - perfect. I then added one more bolt to the bottom hinge and that seemed to wind the door upwards so that the window frame rubs at the top of the door aperture. Why would one bolt make such a difference? What possible logic is that? Anyway, in the end all bolts were fitted but the hinge bolts seemed to strip their threads - but only on the bottom hinge plate. Seems ok if I fit a new bolt each time but can only use it once. top hinge bolts/plate are fine. what is going on?? I really hope I won't need to take out the bottom hinge plate because I did major surgery in this area already and I'm now reluctant to tamper with it.

One step forward, one step back as ever...

My son has offered to buy me a McDonalds if I get the engine started this year -at this stage, his money is safe!

Oh and as I type this, my iPad touchscreen keyboard has parted in the middle, just like when Moses led the Israelites across the red sea

[bmcecosse]

Are you using the correct thread screws ?? They are NOT UNF.... I think they are BSF - but some one who actually knows will be along soon!

[Alec]

Hello Stag,

the door hinge plates are quite broad so needs all the bolts in snugged up to work from. If it catches at the top you need to drop the door down. The captive nuts have movement to allow for adjustment, and yes they are BSF threads.
Personally, with regard to your son's offer, I would never get the engine started

Alec

[stag36587]

Hi yes, am using BSF screws from ESM. If I carry on stripping the threads then I might dig out the original bolts. Funny what else you notice - couple of screws on the drivers side that hold quarter light frame are anything but original so will replace those too. I think this all just needs loads of fine fettling, trouble is every time I look at the car I find something else that could be better. I'm not happy with door gap to the rear of the front wing so that will need work too

[Alec]

Hello Stag,

I would suggest getting hold of a 5/16" (or are they 3/8", I forget) BSF tap and clear out all the holes. There is something wrong if the new screws are tight or stripping the thread?

Alec

[mike.perry]

They are the same thread as the seat bolts

[lambrettalad]

I think you can get shims,to alter the doors closing settings,back in the old days i used washers ,which is rather hit and miss but ,i finally got there.

Recently i fitted new hinges to the drivers side .1970 1098,and it took ages to finely adjust the door,totally 8ALL ACHING
GOOD LUCK

[chickenjohn]

Did you repair the bottom of the door pillar??

Sounds to me like the bottom of the door pillar is not vertical to the top part, hence the hinge bolts are going in at an angle when the bottom hinge is tightened and the threads on the bolts strip.

Check with a straight edge or a laser level to make sure the whole of the mounting face of the A pillar is straight and square.

If not you will have to cut the repair off and weld it back straight!

Please show some photos of this area.