Potential New 69 Nova Project, Concerned Body May Be Misaligned

[Steel409]

Hi all,
Looking at buying a 1969 Nova “fresh” off of a 6 year restoration. I put fresh in “ “ because there are some minor finishing issues that will need to be addressed; has a 70 front bumper (restorer thought they were interchangeable), inoperable reverse lights, no seatbelts installed, etc. Basically, it seems like the guy rushed to finish it.

However, one thing stood out: The passenger-side door was ridiculously difficult to open. Unfortunately, I didn’t take a long look at the body gaps (didn’t seem out alignment) or the door hinges. I do know that the vehicle had the floor and trunkpans replaced. Documented with build pictures.

Can the passenger-side door issue be attributed to new weatherstripping that hasn’t been broken in, or should I be concerned that the uni-body was not properly reinforced during floorpan replacement, and it’s possibly out of alignment? Driver-side door did NOT seem to be overly difficult to open, but would assume that side gets twice the action as the passenger side.

Would hate to purchase the vehicle, only to find out some time down the road, and $$$ later, that the body is all out of whack.
Any thoughts or recommendations on how to confirm everything is as it should be would very much appreciated.

Thanks very much and happy Friday.

[Steel409]

Bueller....? Bueller....?

[dhutton]

I don't think anyone can help you without pics. It is pure guesswork otherwise.

Don

[Steel409]

Don,

Very fair point. I wish I had taken more pictures surrounding the external door alignment/body gaps, but nothing really seemed amiss, so I didn't. Lesson learned, I suppose.

With that being said, is it typical for new weatherstripping to inhibit easy opening of the door; until it's broken in?

Appreciate the input!

Best regards,

Jack

[dhutton]

Don,

Very fair point. I wish I had taken more pictures surrounding the external door alignment/body gaps, but nothing really seemed amiss, so I didn't. Lesson learned, I suppose.

With that being said, is it typical for new weatherstripping to inhibit easy opening of the door; until it's broken in?

Appreciate the input!

Best regards,

Jack

Not in my experience. Difficult to close but not so much difficult to open. I would suspect the striker alignment if it is hard to open. Again, a lot of guesswork...

Don

[Steel409]

Don,

Guesswork is all I can ask for based on limited information on my end.

Appreciate the input!!

Best regards,

Jack

[rohrt]

I would first look at a miss-adjusted striker. if it hard to open it has to be rubbing/binding somewhere. I would close it really slow and determine when it starts to show resistance. Use a flashlight and look in and around all the gaps. That might give you some clues to go by.

[chevymike]

Not sure about weather stripping for Nova's but on 64-66 C10 trucks, no one make any that you don't have to slam with all your force to close. We actually found that Honda Civic coupe weather stripping worked perfect and allows the doors to close with a gentle push, so what I am getting at is, yes, weather stripping can make doors difficult to open and close. This does assume all the striker adjustments are correct.

[ICrombie]

You could make or buy tram gauges and see whether or not the body is twisted, I suspected my frame was twisted a bit and made some simple tram gauges which made it clear that the rear on one side was 3/4" off from the other which I then had to straighten out.
Check this out: http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/basics-basics-using-tram-gauge-measuring-319474.html

[Steel409]

Folks,

All excellent input.

Thanks so much!!!