Need help on 66 C2 D/S Door Gap

[Larry E.]

Getting my 66 Convertible ready for judging. My D/S Door Gap(Rear of Door) is a little bit to
large. Upon researching this board the common fix is to loosen the Striker (3 Phillips Screws)
then position the Strike/Plate towards the middle of the car. Then tighten the Screws down to
hold the position. This does indeed work as the gap looks a lot better BUT it does not take long
for it to work back out(towards the outside of car) so a larger gap does reappear. It seems I can
not tighten those Phillips Screws a little more to hold better. But as everybody knows there is
not enough "grip" to tighten the Phillips head to do this. This coupled with new weatherstrip installed
that will push the door out a little. I hope I explained this well enough. Anybody with some idea's
or will I just have to live with it?? Comments please>Larry

[Joseph S.]

Re: Need help on 66 C2 D/S Door Gap

Larry, Does your strike plate have the 2 Gripper attachments. They look like mini cheese graters. These should grab into the fiberglass and prevent the striker from moving.

[Chris T.]

Re: Need help on 66 C2 D/S Door Gap

Strike Plate Grippers
Strike Plate Gripper.jpg

[Larry E.]

Re: Need help on 66 C2 D/S Door Gap

Larry, Does your strike plate have the 2 Gripper attachments. They look like mini cheese graters. These should grab into the fiberglass and prevent the striker from moving.

Joseph: Thanks for the reply. Yes they appear to be although the smaller one is hard to see but looks to be there. I have never had
the striker completely off. Is it possible through the years that the strike plate has "bitten off" that piece of
fiberglass that it is suppose to grab?? What would be my next step eg.: loosen the Phillip head screws and
try to push those strike plates in with a small screwdriver? Or?? Not sure if I want to take off the screws
completely. Need Advice and Thanks>Larry

[Larry E.]

Re: Need help on 66 C2 D/S Door Gap

Update On The Above: Upon looking a little closer I discovered I DID NOT HAVE THAT SMALLER GRIPPER(Top)
installed on my striker plate. Since time is of the essence for judging I inserted "two sided sandpaper" between
the striker plate and the fiberglass. Will see if it holds to keep the gap correct. NOW>Here is my questions>
When I get the proper gripper I will have to take the top Phillip Head screw completely off. Is this risky? I do not
like taking off any fasteners with out knowing how the connecting nut is held on. I would have no idea even how to get
to the nut IF I HAD TO. COMMENTS PLEASE! AND THANKS.LARRY

[Mark M.]

Re: Need help on 66 C2 D/S Door Gap

Those screws go into a plate which is caged in ( can't fall out) and has the ability to move around for adjustment when all three screws are loose. Rear door gap, especially on a roadster may need rear shim change and the car should be sitting on it's tires. Hope this helps , and all goes well.

[Larry E.]

Re: Need help on 66 C2 D/S Door Gap

Those screws go into a plate which is caged in ( can't fall out) and has the ability to move around for adjustment when all three screws are loose. Rear door gap, especially on a roadster may need rear shim change and the car should be sitting on it's tires. Hope this helps , and all goes well.

Mark: Thanks much for this info. Will install the proper "grippers" when I get them. Larry

[Leif A.]

Re: Need help on 66 C2 D/S Door Gap

Mark: Thanks much for this info. Will install the proper "grippers" when I get them. Larry

Some original grippers here...see post #13
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-for-sale.html

[Chris T.]

Re: Need help on 66 C2 D/S Door Gap

Larry, this is what the caged plate from the backside looks like. The solid metal plate is able to adjust within the caged outer part. IMG_2097.jpg

[Russ S.]

Re: Need help on 66 C2 D/S Door Gap

If you have a gap problem from top vs bottom, it sounds to me like you need to re-shim the body.(I am assuming you have a rust free frame)

[Larry E.]

Re: Need help on 66 C2 D/S Door Gap

If you have a gap problem from top vs bottom, it sounds to me like you need to re-shim the body.(I am assuming you have a rust free frame)

Russ: The gap IS NOT Top To Bottom. (Which is good on my car) It is from Top of the side of door edge
compared to the Start of the rear portion of the car. (I hope this makes sense) This is why when I move the
striker to the center of the car it pulls the door in and this causes the gap to be where it is suppose to be. Larry

[Russ S.]

Re: Need help on 66 C2 D/S Door Gap

OK Larry, How is the fit at the front of the door to the fender and the bottom of the door to fender? Could it be you could remove a hinge shim at the top or add one at the bottom? This could relieve pressure at the top rear of your door.

[Larry E.]

Re: Need help on 66 C2 D/S Door Gap

OK Larry, How is the fit at the front of the door to the fender and the bottom of the door to fender? Could it be you could remove a hinge shim at the top or add one at the bottom? This could relieve pressure at the top rear of your door.

Russ: Thanks for the response and help. The gaps you talk about above ARE OK ON MY CAR. The only gap
that is off is the "Depth Gap" of rear of door edge and the start of the rear body of car. It was not flush. BTW
Since I inserted the "two sided sandpaper" it seem to be holding for now. Will get the proper grippers from
Corvette Central soon. Thanks again>Larry

[David D.]

Re: Need help on 66 C2 D/S Door Gap

Russ: Thanks for the response and help. The gaps you talk about above ARE OK ON MY CAR. The only gap
that is off is the "Depth Gap" of rear of door edge and the start of the rear body of car. It was not flush. BTW
Since I inserted the "two sided sandpaper" it seem to be holding for now. Will get the proper grippers from
Corvette Central soon. Thanks again>Larry

Just an FYI - the typical automotive term used for this condition is "flushness."

[Leif A.]

Re: Need help on 66 C2 D/S Door Gap

Russ: Thanks for the response and help. The gaps you talk about above ARE OK ON MY CAR. The only gap
that is off is the "Depth Gap" of rear of door edge and the start of the rear body of car. It was not flush. BTW
Since I inserted the "two sided sandpaper" it seem to be holding for now. Will get the proper grippers from
Corvette Central soon. Thanks again>Larry

Larry,
Did you not like the original ones I posted in post #8? Reproductions aren't nearly as sturdy.