64 coupe door removal & crossmember

[Robert V.]

My painter has asked to remove the doors for painting? I remember reading somewhere that advises against removing the doors? Any comments?

When cleaning the crossmember for painting, I noticed on the top the #3817928 along with the Dana/Detroit log, on the bottom, it is stamped with #3817927? Are the numbers supposed to match? Or were they two seperate pieces welded together?

[Joe L.]

Re: 64 coupe door removal & crossmember

Bob-----

The differential crossmember was comprised of several pieces, including the top and bottom sections which were welded together. Each component had a GM part number and these are typified by the numbers which you have noted. However, the top and bottom sections were never available seperately as SERVICE parts. The only way you got the crossmember in SERVICE was as an assembly which also included the rubber cushions. As far as I know, the part number for the assembly was nowhere to be found stamped on the part. You would only find it on a SERVICE parts label if you purchased the assembly in SERVICE.

[Joe L.]

Re: 64 coupe door removal & crossmember

Bob-----

The differential crossmember was comprised of several pieces, including the top and bottom sections which were welded together. Each component had a GM part number and these are typified by the numbers which you have noted. However, the top and bottom sections were never available seperately as SERVICE parts. The only way you got the crossmember in SERVICE was as an assembly which also included the rubber cushions. As far as I know, the part number for the assembly was nowhere to be found stamped on the part. You would only find it on a SERVICE parts label if you purchased the assembly in SERVICE.

[Duke W.]

Re: 64 coupe door removal & crossmember

Most custom painters remove the doors and paint them off the car, but the factory painted the car with the doors installed.

It's okay to remove the doors if you want consistent coverage on the front jamb and front of the door, but just be sure that you know the shim count on the hinges, so the door can be installed to the same fit at you had before it was removed, especially if you have massaged the body contours and gaps to get a better door fit.

Duke

[Duke W.]

Re: 64 coupe door removal & crossmember

Most custom painters remove the doors and paint them off the car, but the factory painted the car with the doors installed.

It's okay to remove the doors if you want consistent coverage on the front jamb and front of the door, but just be sure that you know the shim count on the hinges, so the door can be installed to the same fit at you had before it was removed, especially if you have massaged the body contours and gaps to get a better door fit.

Duke

[Jeff Grablick]

Re: 64 coupe door removal & crossmember

Bob,
I just recently completed painting my '67 coupe. After fitting the doors(with weatherstrip in place - held on with doublestick tape). I removed the doors at the hinge pillar, instead of the door inner, there is no adjustment at this location. After painting the door and jambs, I reinstalled the door and was very pleased with the outcome.
These doors can be very difficult to adjust at the shim pack.
It took 3 of us, to very carefully put these doors back in place at the hinge pillar, after I taped it off to prevent scratches. One additional comment, I had an extra loose hinge on hand to understand the position that it needs to be in when reloading back into the body.
Jeff

[Jeff Grablick]

Re: 64 coupe door removal & crossmember

Bob,
I just recently completed painting my '67 coupe. After fitting the doors(with weatherstrip in place - held on with doublestick tape). I removed the doors at the hinge pillar, instead of the door inner, there is no adjustment at this location. After painting the door and jambs, I reinstalled the door and was very pleased with the outcome.
These doors can be very difficult to adjust at the shim pack.
It took 3 of us, to very carefully put these doors back in place at the hinge pillar, after I taped it off to prevent scratches. One additional comment, I had an extra loose hinge on hand to understand the position that it needs to be in when reloading back into the body.
Jeff