Top of the door frame gap

Talk about the E-Type Series 1

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alunwill
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#1 Top of the door frame gap

Post by alunwill » Wed Apr 01, 2026 9:03 am

Could someone advise me on what would be the typical gap between roof underside and the top of the door window frame. I have 1/2" on one side and 1/2 tapering to 5/16 on the other. I have new doors, old frames and cill to roof gap is same both sides.


I've searched through the knowledge base but failed to find the information.

Regards


Alun
Al

Series 1, 2+2
undergoing renovation

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Allrand
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#2 Re: Top of the door frame gap

Post by Allrand » Wed Apr 01, 2026 10:48 am

I have a similar problem. The difference was in the doors. These cars wern't welded by bots. You can put some shims under the frame where it attaches to the top of the door to even them out, or just live with it because you cant lower the frame without some cutting/bending/welding somewhere.
Randall Botha
'64 3.8 fhc & '51 Mk 7 (now sold)

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MSM
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#3 Re: Top of the door frame gap

Post by MSM » Wed Apr 01, 2026 11:10 am

The gap on my car is around 1/4 inch and 3/8 at curve of top front corner.
Mike

1969 S2 FHC

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Gfhug
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#4 Re: Top of the door frame gap

Post by Gfhug » Wed Apr 01, 2026 4:03 pm

Randall is quite right, differences in doors to frames isn’t unusual and compromise is often the way with these cars. Do a trial fit checking the rear side window to the door frame and door to car. Each can affect the look, especially of the door window frame to B post and at the top as you are finding. Have you fitted the door seals at the front as they need to be in before fitting the door? The seals at the top can fill the gaps so that can help.

Geoff
S2 FHC Light Blue
S2 OTS LHD - RHD full restoration

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alunwill
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#5 Re: Top of the door frame gap

Post by alunwill » Thu Apr 02, 2026 9:38 pm

Many thanks for the information. I've shimmed as suggested and end up with a 7mm gap across the top.

Geoff, I do have the seals in place. A post is fine. The B post seals however barely touch at the top.

The seal is a good uniform fit up past the door but it runs out as it goes up the window frame. The door gaps are good so to have this runout at the top of the B post is anoying. Is this normal or am I missing something.

Alun
Al

Series 1, 2+2
undergoing renovation

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#6 Re: Top of the door frame gap

Post by mgcjag » Thu Apr 02, 2026 9:48 pm

Steve
69 S2 2+2 (sold) ..Realm C type replica, 1960 xk150fhc

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#7 Re: Top of the door frame gap

Post by Gfhug » Fri Apr 03, 2026 8:48 am

Alun, did you buy your seals from Baines? I seem to remember all their seals come over length so you can trim to size. https://coh-baines.co.uk/

Geoff
S2 FHC Light Blue
S2 OTS LHD - RHD full restoration

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