replaced passenger door on 71 convertible, closed it 1 to many times to check alinement and measure spaceing gaps - now it won't open. I know, should have taken off striker bolt - but did not. Anyone have a suggestion or trick to "pop" the door lock mechinusem. Have thought to remove hood and fender (again) to get to hinge bolts, but if striker bolt head it to large to pull through lock latch (looks to big)...but will consider/try most anything at this point. Everthing looks & moves like it should...checked back and forth from doors to compare and look for anything that may be different - but could not spot anything wrong. Checked out previous links and tried posted suggestions - still no luck.

Pulled door panel, and tried to manually trip mechanism?

Thanks, yes - door is empty, tried pulling and pushing rods (from inside door handle) and pushed lever (where outer door handle would make contact when installed) still no luck. Only VERY SMALL amount of "play" when door is rocked in and out. Also though to check to see if rear door edge might be stuck or jambed against lower door area or at rear of opening - no luck - can see gap when lite is shined into areas (no weather strip yet). Also tried to get at lock from inside rear quarter area - can see and touch but am to high (though the astro vent in door pillar)to do anything.

put a couple layers of duct tape on quarter panel rearward of the door striker. get you a flat prybar. like a building supply nail bar. now place a thin peace of backing behind the bar and keep bar flat and pry gently on door while the latch is released. these cars doors are common for getting stuck on striker. good luck and update us

Thanks for the pry bar suggestion - only thing that happend was my temper got the better of me and I get to practice more body work. Spent a long weekend with my Dremal rigged with a grinder/cutting wheel and enlarged a "hole" that is located at the bottom of the lock gizmo - got a star socket in there and backed out the lock striker til the threaded end cleared the rear piller post at quarter panel - door opened and as soon as the pressure was off - yea, you guessed it, the @#!* lock popped as pretty as you please, works great now that it is out of the door. I propose using this as a last resort only, as it is pretty dangerous using a wide open Dremal stretched out with finger tip control only in one hand and a flash lite in the other with sweat stinging your eyes and a wife who came up with the idea that just happened to work. I will never hear the end of it. Now if any one has a good source for another window roller ( the one that is held in by the ball socket thingy ) to fit the rear quarter glass....