Model A chop question

Chopped 4.5" out of my '30. Is it normal to need to cut the header to make the "A" pillars line up?

Looks like I need to take out about 3/8".

thanks

 

you will need to pie cut the pillars to line up properly

 

don't cut the header.... pie cut the A pillar like Cafekid said, since the A pillars are tapered you need to make them align.

 

Then what? Bend out the bottom halfs?

Seems like the top of the "A" pillars to come in. I was thinking if the bottom of the pillars came out it would cause door issues.

thanks

 

They are wider at the top. you will need to narrow the header.

 

I pie cut and narrowed the header.

 

Do not cut the header no matter what. My question is did you weld in braces to hold the body from flexing? Pie cutting the a pillar and door pillar is not an absolute but it does make the job easier to get everything lined up. A curled relief as in this photo helps also.

 

Check this thread

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=571508

 

Yes, I did brace the body and the rear and "B" pillars lined up great.

Checked it out. First I removed the header wood to make sure that wasn't holding the top out too wide, it wasn't. So, I cut off the outer skin on the "A" pillars then made some vertical slices to match the tapers of the pillar structures, tacked them and then had to cut the header to make it all straight. I think it's gonna work out. Got the pillars all welded so next I'll put the outer (front side) skins back on.

thanks everyone

 

I have a build thread going on my coupe you can check. I have a filled roof but had it been open I would have narrowed the header as well.

Rather than porta powering out the posts I cut the ends of the dash rail and pushed out the a pillars to match the width of the upper half of the a pillars.

I believe this works very well because the posts wont have a kink or bow in them and by relaxing the cowl out, it allowed the center hinge to move out a tad as well. I believe there is no pressure an anything due to alignment issues with the three hinges not being inline.

The posts definitely taper in width not just angle you will need to slit them. Same goes for the door pieces and quarter glass openings.

Check my thread, I posted some pics. I would post the link but im on my phone.
Click my name, then view profile, then statistics, then view all threads started.

I also disassembled the windshield frame at the top and cut four inches of the top of each end then reattached.

If I can do it, anyone can!

 

I cut my header too.

 

So after the slicing and dicing here's what I got. Still needs some more clean up, probably with a hand file and 3M discs.

I really appreciate everyone's input on this.

 

Bitchin