I was putting new window seals on my '71 convertible, and I was having a hard time getting the right side windows adjusted properly. Once I got both windows to meet properly with each other, the windshield, and the top, the rear quarter has trouble rolling down. The back edge of the window hits some framing on the way down. The rear quarter window is adjusted back as far as it will go.

So I started to do some measuring. It seems that the right side door opening is 1/2"-3/4" smaller than the left side. It is worse at the top of the door than the bottom. It's pretty hard to get a good measurement. The bottom of the door is perfectly parallel with the rocker. Gap at the bottom of the door at the quarter is about 1/4", at the very top of the door, it almost touches.

So I started thinking saggin frame, but when I stretch a line across the frame, it does not seem to sag at all. Theres maybe 1/8" crown to it.

So I started thinking sagging body mounts. They were pretty bad, so I replaced them with new polygraphite ones, but they did not affect the door opening.

So, is it possible that the body was put together that far off in the factory? I don't think the quarter panel has been replaced, because it has some patches on it. What else could cause the door opening to be off that far, and how could I correct it?

Thanks

------------------
'71 Chevelle convertible
red daily driver

I have never seen anything that bad from the factory. In fact, you must be exaggerating, the door wouldn't even fit in the hole if it were 3/4" shorter. It sounds like your cowl is leaning back. This is common with convertibles because of the small area the cowl meets the floor and the large heavy doors pulling down on them.

------------------
1965 Buick Gran Sport Convertible
1965 Buick Skylark H/T
"Fan of most anything that moves human beings"

If you really want to know what the tolerances were supposed to be, during those years there was a Body/Chassis Service Manual available that listed them for each body opening. I remember ordering one for a New 72 Monte Carlo so I could shame the dealer into doing some adjustments I wanted done under warranty.

Martisr,

The whole point here is that the door/window does not fit right. The door gaps are way too small, i'm chipping paint at both the front and rear of the door. I could probably move the front fender and door forward to take care of that, but I would still have the problem with the windows.

When I measure from the bolt where the top of the front fender mounts and compare side to side, there is less than 1/16" difference to the bottom rear corner of the door frame. There is 1/4" difference to the top of the rear door frame. There is more than 5/8" difference to the top of the metal part that the top hinge mounts to. This is the part that the window hits when I roll it down.

Here are some pictures: http://webpages.charter.net/novakm/dsc00010.jpg http://webpages.charter.net/novakm/dsc00011.jpg http://webpages.charter.net/novakm/dsc00013.jpg

Thanks for all the help.

Mike

------------------
Mike Novak
'71 Chevelle convertible
red daily driver

Mike ,behind your rear interior deoor panel and conv top metal arm rest. are a number of mounting window mounting/adjusting fasteners. with them you'll be able to adjust the rear 1/4 window. BUT you frist must get your sheetmetal lined up. The door must be parrelle with the rocker and the rear door opening. Then re gap your front fender. Only now can you start adjusting the windows to the car. The front wing,the front door window and then the rear 1/4 window. A Fisher body manual will help in understanding the complexit of the numerious
adjustment.

GL.


------------------
Wayne
ACES# 1556
TCG # 186