Re: Henry's 1938 M/N 1182 restoration project

Posted by Martin's Auto Body Resto On 2011/5/11 5:51:23

Generally any auto door is not going to support an opening from moving at all, as they are only connected to the body at the hinge points and at the latch. The rest of it will have a small gap around it anyway and can move and tighten that gap up and possibly cause damage. They can possibly keep the openings from moving/shifting a lot if something drastically went wrong, but in my opinion they only make extra weight, and the bracing that will be tack welded in will keep everything solid. Honestly, there shouldn't be any moving or shifting of any openings when we lift the body off, but I'd rather be safe than sorry and tack weld a few braces in.
These cars were carried and moved around by overhead cranes at the factory way back when as I understand, by using strapping and putting it through the door openings and carried by the roof. I just feel more comfortable with the bracing since the car is or 70 years old and I'm sure some flexing has accured in the body over that period of time, just as the B-pillars have had and weakened and cracked.