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I'm working on my '37 115c and CAN NOT get the doors off. The door hinges are held on with 5/16-24 tapered flat head (straight blade, not phillips) screws.

Things I've tried:

- Lots of PB-40 and CRC Freeze-off penetrating oils
- Impact screwdriver
- Heating the backside nut cherry red with a torch
- Heating the front of the screw (headside) cherry red with a torch
- I tried welding a nut to one of the screws, but I couldn't get a nut to stick to the head of the screw with the welder I have.

I'm fresh out of ideas and bits for my hand impact driver (shattered three). I really want to get the doors off before I pull the body, but with 22 screws to remove (plus six bolts) and ZERO screws out, I'm stuck.

Anyone have any ideas?

This may be one of those give up and drill them out messes. Other than keeping them dosed well with PB & letting them soak a few days, it sounds like about the only thing not tried is heat them up and immediately hit with very cold water a couple of times. Sometimes the expansion and sudden shock of contracting will help. Of course, it does the bolts no good but sounds as if they are toast anyway.

Are they brass screws?

I am pretty sure these bolts in the picture are the same type as the offending bolts Ken is trying to deal with. I believe these came from some rear doors off a 1082 or 1092 sedan.

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If they are like those in the picture, there' not much purchase for a screwdriver.

It seems you have tried just about every technique and, although I'm no expert in these matters, my preferred route is to use a brace and bit. Getting some weight behing it and turning very slowly sometimes works.

The problem with impact drivers is that the shock only serves to damage the head (or bit)rather than turn it.

Good luck