I thought I had a hinge problem on my 64 Dart convertible previously but after closer inspection realized the door latch is moving. How do I get the correct positioning so that I dont have to lift up on the door any time I want to close it and jam my shoulder into it to open it. once I get the correct fit I can just tack it into place (welder by profession). I have opened and closed the door trying to get it to line up but it seems to move even after tightening...? Any suggestions?

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64 Convertible Dart GT

Why can't you just tighten it? Which latch on door or on pillar.

Just tightening it won't get the job done; the latch mesh adjusts by loosening the latch screws and moving the catch up, down, inward and outward to get the door to close fully, securely and easily. Adjustment is by trial and error. Too low or too high and the latch hits the catch on trying to close the door. Too far inboard and the door only closes if you slam it hard, and is difficult or impossible(!) to open again. Too far outward and the door closes easily but not securely; you get wind and water leaks. If you can move the door up enough to make the difference between the latch catching and the latch hitting, then you need to fix your worn-out door hinges!

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

One thing I have run into with my 70 Valiant is the door latch itself being out of adjustment. There should be a small hole in the end of the door that gives you access to an allen head bolt used for adjustment of the latch length. Sometimes its covered by the sticker. Unfortunately, I didn't have much luck with this adjustment because the rubber grommet that strikes the release lever was worn out. I had to remove the latch mechanism from the door and replace the rubber grommet. This may or may not help you with your situation.

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70 Valiant Super Six

Different latches used '60-'63 and '64-'67 vs. '68-up. No latch adjustment on pre-'68.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Napa sells the hinge pins you need to rebuild your hinges. Just got done fixing a broken hinge on my 85 Silverado.

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82 D150-225/727
02 Dakota-3.9/5 speed
87 GMC C7000-8.2 Detroit Diesel/5+2

NAPA sells the pins you needed to fix your Chev truck.

They do not sell the pins for an early A-body. And, the pin is only half the problem; from the factory the pins run on the bare hinge steel; the hinge holes wear oval-shaped and new pins don't correct this. You need to drill and bush the hinge holes, too. (If you do that, of course, you can pick whatever hinge pin will fit the ID of your bushings...!)

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.