Undocumented running change?

[64studeavanti]

Working on R5423. Noticed that the lower door hinges are longer and have elongated bolt holes. Checked R5408, and they are the same as R5423. Have one from R4551 that I am rebuilding pin on. First picture is from R4551. Second is from R5423.

 

 

[64studeavanti]

second picture

[murph the surf]

Interesting...wonder if that was addressed in a service bulletin, as you'd have to assume a different part number would be used from whatever serial # and forward..It would be pretty amazing to have uncovered another running change after 61 years...

Edited Tuesday at 12:50 AM by murph the surf

[64studeavanti]

I did not see a service bulletin. The revised part would also work on earlier cars.

The upper hinges did not change. Checked a lower hinge on a 78 and it also has elongated holes. My guess is that Studebaker decided they needed a bit more adjustment for the doors to fit correctly. 

 

FWIW, I made a post a while back about a change to the rear quarter interior panels from 3 pieces to 2 pieces.  Not listed in service bulletin or parts catalog.

[Guy]

Having tried to adjust door and not being able to move it, I wondered why there wasnt slotted holes for adjustment. I will take off my hinges and put them in the mill and make slots out of holes. It would seem to me slots on the door side of hinge would make adjustment easier, that way the door could remain closed during sdjustment, loosen bolts shim or pry untill it looks good and tighten. The slots on the frame side would allow for left/right adjustment realitive to the longitudinal axis not for and aft,by slotting the door side you would have fore/aft adjustment as well!

[mfg]

1 hour ago, Guy said:

Having tried to adjust door and not being able to move it, I wondered why there wasnt slotted holes for adjustment. I will take off my hinges and put them in the mill and make slots out of holes. It would seem to me slots on the door side of hinge would make adjustment easier, that way the door could remain closed during sdjustment, loosen bolts shim or pry untill it looks good and tighten. The slots on the frame side would allow for left/right adjustment realitive to the longitudinal axis not for and aft,by slotting the door side you would have fore/aft adjustment as well!

I agree!

[64studeavanti]

The lower door hinges on later Stude Avantis as well as later Avantis have slots on both the frame and door side.

[Nelson]

Slotting those holes sure make it easier to get the door fit.The rear of the door fit to quarter also benefits. I’ve done that slot job on many. I have to say I can’t remember one from the factory. I actually slotted a lower one on the driver’s side of an 85 Avanti. Maybe they were using old stock by then.