trying to get a good door fit

[Jamie]

Hi, i'm trying to get a better fit on my mk1 doors, like a lot of mk1s they both stick out in the bottom rear corner...i have seen some cars with great door fits...are there any tips or tricks? Or is just lots of playing around and luck!

[mk1]

A really good door fit starts off with the welding of the shell. You need to have the doors fitted when any welding is done on the A panel or anywhere around the door hole. If you don't check the door fits ok at this stage you are a bit stuck really.

However there are a certain number of tricks.

It is pretty easy to bend both the top & bottom of the door in relation to the hinges, sometimes you will find it useful to put a block of wood in the jam to lever against.

Its really a case of taking it very steadily & not trying to bite off more than you can chew.

Good luck.

[Jamie]

thanks mark. Yeah i had them in when i was welding. They shut and fit well except that lower corner but not by much they are heritage doors so i will have a go at bending the bottom in a bit like you suggested, thanks

[rolesyboy]

Can I also suggest (if its not too late) that you ensure that you have your door seals fitted when trying to weld A panels in place etc. If not you might have perfect shut lines, weld it, get it painted and then realise that the door seals simply won't compress enough to allow the door to fit nicely ie it will stick out from the rear quarter. The next step then involves a big hammer and damaged paint where you try to dress back the door aperture.Hope this helps. Cheers. Mark

[Jamie]

luckily i remembered to do this! Got some new ones from mini machine which are very good if anyones after some. Thanks though

[Gray]

My new seals are currently under 3 sheets of chipboard having a precompression until I get to the point of needing them, not sure if it will work but worth a try.

[guru_1071]

there is a new batch of mk1 door and boot seals comming that are far far better than what has been previously avalible

[1071 S]

Anyone doing the original metal backed upper window channels ??

Cheers, Ian

[Pete]

Worth bearing in mind that if your sill aren't the right shape (arced) then the bottom of the doors are bound to stick out.