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Tue Jun 29, 2021 8:24 am

I'm getting near the end on the bodywork work for a 66 bus. The POs did some really crappy bodywork repairs and most have them been repaired. At some point I'm guessing there was some sort of collision on passenger door. The bottom hinge on the door had been welded back into place. It looked awful and the door didn't close very well. The pillar looks fine. I decided to buy a door replacement so I didn't have to see the ugly hinge repair but it is not fitting very well

I don't know which door is going to be less of PITA. Any advice what path to head down. Use the old door and try to fix it (It would pop open while driving) Or figure out why the replacement door does close well. It seems to be jamming at the pillar above the light switch

Thanks

Tue Jun 29, 2021 10:19 am

Did the previous owner weld the door because it got busted off (collision), or because it rusted off? If collision, then possibly the accident deformed both the door, and the surrounding body. If the hinge attach point is not where its supposed to be, then when you put a straight door on, its not going to fit.
Unfortunately I can't give you a good answer on which fork in the road to take. If it were me I would take the "good" door and see what it would take to make it fit. Might take some hard work to get the rest of the body back where its supposed to be.

Tue Jun 29, 2021 10:58 am

Here's a pic of the hinge. I don't think it was a rust repair.

I was on the lazy path forward and now I guess I'll make the door right. I now regret leaving the P.O. crappy front floor and lower rear corners in

Tue Jun 29, 2021 5:10 pm

Post a photo of the "good" door. I want to compare.

Wed Jun 30, 2021 2:55 pm

i thought i posted this earlier It appears the older door has a bit more of angle between the hinge and frame.

Thu Jul 01, 2021 4:52 am

Yes, it might just be the angle of the view but from your photo it looks like there is a difference between the two. I can't tell if its due to a bent hinge, or the PO welded it in wrong. If the vehicle got hit with enough force to bend that hinge (pretty stout material), it probably deformed the surrounding area. So if you use this good door (I would if I were in your shoes) your task is to get the surrounding area back to its original shape. How? Use the other side as a mirror image, and take measurements and the shape/contours, and replicate it on this bent side.