1800: - Door and sill gap

Burdekin · Nov 14th, 2009, 13:35

Can anyone suggest how large the gap should be on the bottom of the door to the top of the sill on a P1800. I think my car has the original sills but the gap seems a bit large. Also any advice on getting the lower corner of the door to fit better with the rear panel?

Mitch

Geordie C30 · Nov 16th, 2009, 16:26

Hi Mitch,
The panel fit on 1800's was poor even on new cars, just look at Volvo's brochures. I don't think the gap between the sill and the door had a specific measurement but I used to aline the top of the door with the front and rear wings and found this to be the most visually pleasing. There are shims between the door hinges and the 'A' post and if you add or remove them you can alter the position of the door. Adding shims to the top hinge will move the lower rear corner of the door inwards, but the top upper corner out, so it's all a compromise really. It's best to get help to do this as the doors are very heavy and will drop as soon as you loosen the hinges. When restoring 1800's I've even bent the door to get a better fit!

PaulWphoto · Nov 17th, 2009, 15:24

I agree poor fitting doors are an original feature on these cars - the only way to make it better would be lead loading of the surrounding panels ie sills and rear quarter until the desired fit is achieved.

I believe that this was the factory method although I could well be wrong (again).

Burdekin · Nov 17th, 2009, 19:46

Thanks guys. Suppose I'll just get them as good as I can.

Nov 14th, 2009, 13:35	#1
Burdekin Chief Bodger Last Online: Yesterday 18:30 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Aberdeen	Door and sill gap Can anyone suggest how large the gap should be on the bottom of the door to the top of the sill on a P1800. I think my car has the original sills but the gap seems a bit large. Also any advice on getting the lower corner of the door to fit better with the rear panel? Mitch Last edited by Burdekin; Nov 14th, 2009 at 13:44.

Nov 16th, 2009, 16:26	#2
Geordie C30 C30 rules O.K. Last Online: Oct 9th, 2021 17:00 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tyneside	Hi Mitch, The panel fit on 1800's was poor even on new cars, just look at Volvo's brochures. I don't think the gap between the sill and the door had a specific measurement but I used to aline the top of the door with the front and rear wings and found this to be the most visually pleasing. There are shims between the door hinges and the 'A' post and if you add or remove them you can alter the position of the door. Adding shims to the top hinge will move the lower rear corner of the door inwards, but the top upper corner out, so it's all a compromise really. It's best to get help to do this as the doors are very heavy and will drop as soon as you loosen the hinges. When restoring 1800's I've even bent the door to get a better fit!

Nov 17th, 2009, 15:24	#3
PaulWphoto VOC Member Last Online: Dec 21st, 2021 12:24 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Hereford - Where the best cider comes from....	I agree poor fitting doors are an original feature on these cars - the only way to make it better would be lead loading of the surrounding panels ie sills and rear quarter until the desired fit is achieved. I believe that this was the factory method although I could well be wrong (again).

Nov 17th, 2009, 19:46	#4
Burdekin Chief Bodger Last Online: Yesterday 18:30 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Aberdeen	Thanks guys. Suppose I'll just get them as good as I can.

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