The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs Upper Clamshell LIftgate Adjustment

Is there any adjustment or are my hinges just worn? When closed, I can lift my upper clamshell about a half an inch. There doesn't seem to by anyway to adjust it and it's resting on the lower gate.

I have the same problem, never found a good answer. there are 2 part numbers for the hinges ending in 600 and 587 or something like that, but they are both identical from what I can tell. Hinge mounts do not look bent either.

Hey Folks, well I think I have found the issue (I think). I'd like some validation. It seems that my hinge pins are just fine.

When the lift gate closes, it also forces the hinges upward into the roof. The last inch or so of closing the gate lifts the hinge assembly up quite a bit. It seems that my gate isn't closing all the way, which would also lift it up. It seems that I have two options: I can either oblong the mounting holes on the lift gate and manually adjust it upwards, or I could find a way to push the hinges inward further towards the front of the truck (which would also lift up that hinge). Shy of pounding on the steel where the lift gate attaches to the hinge, I'm not sure how I would get them closer. Since the hinge is installed between the lift gate steel like a sandwich, placing washers in behind would put them further away, and placing washers in front would do nothing!

Anybody have some ideas?

http://gallery.mac.com/patrick.plummer#100287/DSCN1271&bgcolor=black

http://gallery.mac.com/patrick.plummer#100287/DSCN1276&bgcolor=black

Patrick, do you have a photo of the hatch in the closed position? Have you tried to lubricate the hinges? They may be dry and causing some of the binding that is causing it not to close. You may also try to remove the lift gate supports and remove the screws that attach the lift gate to the hinges, Try and close the lift gate now.

If you remove the hinges, take some pictures of how they are mounted to the header and a good picture of the hinges themselves. I need to see what hinges were used in 1949, I have hinges from the later 1951 and I know they are different.

Hey George, Yes I've tried all of those things. They are lubricated, moving nicely and i've removed the bumpers, supports and screws and tried closing it. I guess I'm back into bodywork and adjusting the lift gate where it attaches. I'll take a video of the hinge so you can see the upward movement as it closes.

I'm going to try jacking up the area where the hinges mount on the roof. I need about 1/2 an inch. my hinges have a different number than the assembly manual but people tell me they are the same. Can't lower the gate so......

I know I can 'oblong' the holes where the lift gate attach to the hinge, but that's a last resort for me.

Patrick, how did you get from "complete" Maroon to "just starting" Green?

I looked at your pictures and the lift gate fits fine on the Maroon burb. When it was hung before you started it looked like it was tight from the outside and had a gap from the inside. The belt line on the clam shell itself was aligned. Could it be that the header got twisted from poorly lubricated hinges?

I would remove the hinges and check the pins too. They could be worn and this might be giving you the extra travel. This is a common problem on many burbs, because the PO used to drive with the lift gate open, tearing the lift gate . That's why many lift gates have patches and welds on the lift gate or header or both.

It could be that the original hinges broke and these are replacement hinges. The later hinges are different at the top (header installation) I am just taking a stab at it, but these are all possibilities. I will look and see if I have any pictures of my 1951 set of NOS hinges. Please post a picture of yours so we can compare.

George -

I had a closer look this afternoon. I don't think it's worn hinges, but worn channels where the pins ride. Either way, I'll figure it out, I'll let you know what I ended up doing.

My 46 Burb hinges rotate at 2 points. The track on the hinges pulls the lift gate in and then up.

While the later hinges may not be as complicated, they, the pins or the track could be worn to the point where the gate is not pulled up after it is pulled in place.

To eliminate this on my Burb I added replaceable bronze bushings that could be easily replaced.

This is what my hinge looks like. This is not the one that's in my truck, but a NOS one.

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/103965802137448917128/albums/5706781984161372689

The upper part of pplummers hinge looks just like my 1946 hinge.

The only difference I can detect is the base plate that attaches to the lift gate itself.

I still think that the problem is with a worn pin, worn track or both.

pins are perfect

Hinges are out, channels are worn, that's all that's wrong with them. Part numbers are 3807825, 3807826. I'll fill in the channels bt Tig welding them up, filing them down and see how they perform. Two bushings are well worn too. I guess I'll make some new ones.

Patrick

Patrick, please post some pictures, I will have to do the same on mine. I also want to compare the hinges iIhave with yours. Take a picture of the header, now that the hinges have been removed. I know that there are supposedly two different hinges for these trucks, I want to see if I can see the difference. ......g

It appears that the one that you posted was part number 3809090 and your's are 3807825 & 3807826 I suspected that the one that you showed was of the later years, I am still trying to figure that out, I would like to see what makes them different.

6066 burb Still trying to figure out why my upper hatch is hanging too low. The assembly manual calls for hinge # 3773157, and my truck came with hinge # 3773160. The hatch hangs down 1/2" too far but can be forced up by pushing in and up on the top of the hatch with alot of force. There is NO way to adjust upper movement due to hinge bolted at the top of the hatch. NO the bodies not bent. Any help would be greatly appreciated. NO the hinges are not worn.

Thela, probably the same problem I'm dealing with. Loose channels and they don't lock into the top position.

Patrick, All
Great thread as I think we all have clamshell issues after 60+ years. Were you able to find new weatherstripping on the bottom gate or what did you use instead? Mine was completely missing when I bought it and trying to stop the rattles.

PPlummer just saw your PM with information. Guess I should be pay more attention to mail button.Thanks

One additonal point, if you try to move the hinge higher up into the roof it will interfere with the roof it will hit the roof and dent outward the roof and break the hinge, I know, I have the broken hinge to prove it. A worn hinge channel is the problem here.

I just bought a NOS hinge from a dealer for $125.00 so I have something to compare the original channels to. I still plan on rebuilding my hinges, but when I get through, if somebody is in dire straits for a hinge and I get both of mine perfectly, I'll sell the one I just bought.

So I just received my hinge. It has a steel tag that lists 3809090 number on it, but the number on the hinge is 3807825. It is the identical hinge for one side. I am fairly certain now the hinges in my truck are the originals. One question: I have different numbers on each hinge and a L/R stamped on them. I guess they were different? But I can't see a difference. I'll take some photos of the NOS hinge. Its sweet.

There were left and Right Hand hinges in 46. The difference then was the off set bolt pattern on the flange that bolted the hinge to the lift gate.

Look at you lift gate and see if the lower bolt pattern is symetrical or off set.

Hinges are different. George, I snapped some pics of my NOS hinge for you.

http://gallery.mac.com/patrick.plummer#100501/IMG_3730&bgcolor=black

Patrick, can you place the hinges side by side? that's the comparison I need. I have a couple of NOS hinges that are of the later style and I have the original style in the truck and they are welded in. I would like to see what I am up against when I go to install them.

Sent you an email

hinges are nice and tight, just don't get it. seems my 62 upper hinge isnt pulling the hatch up near the end. You cant push the hatch up on the hinge any further because the hinge mounts on the outside of the hatch sheetmetal flush. the adjustment screws on the inside side of the hinge already have the hinge as far in as it will go.

FYI - I'm back in shape. I tigged up the channels to the original specs and filed them down within 5 thou, all is good. It took about a half day to do a nice job, but it's done. I'll just put the NOS hinge on the shelf.

https://plus.google.com/photos/1039...06781984161372689?authkey=CNzrr5HExo-UQw

DThela - Not sure if the 62 hinge is the same, but if you want, you can call me if its easier to discuss what I did. PM me if you need some help.