C1 Fuel Door Adjustment - 1960 Gas Door hits body

[Don W.]

My 1960 fuel door hits the body when in the fully open position. Is there a door stop or some other feature that the door is supposed to hit when in the open position?

Any known fix would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Don Walker

[Steven B.]

Re: C1 Fuel Door Adjustment - 1960 Gas Door hits body

Don, no stop when fully opened. Sounds like sprung door hinge. Same happened to one of mine.

[Donald H.]

Re: C1 Fuel Door Adjustment - 1960 Gas Door hits body

If it just touches, you may be able to move it out a little. Look under the top edge and you will see where the door mounts. Loosen the two screws and see if you can move it out a little.

[Richard M.]

Re: C1 Fuel Door Adjustment - 1960 Gas Door hits body

Yes sometimes a small adjustment of the 2 mounting screws will work, however I have found that because this is similar to a side door adjustment, it will affect other alignment areas. i.e. when closed it will hit at the bottom lip, or too much gap at the top, etc, etc.

On a recent '59 I restored, I had to carefully bend the door upper hinge bracket, inward toward the inside of the door to prevent the forward top corner from hitting the body. The spring wire also had to be adjusted(bent). After a good 30 minutes of on/off/on and fighting the tight area to get the big star washer and screws adjusted, it worked and looked right.

When doing this menial yet tricky little task, it is advised to remove the gas cap, put tape over the filler neck or stuff it with a rag so you don't loose any mounting hardware down the hole, and place protective tape over the body areas surrounding the fuel door. You will need a micro-stubby Phillips screwdriver to get the screws started on reassembly because they point down into the door well. Be careful you do not over tighten the screws as they install directly into the fiberglass with no inner nut plates.

Rich