VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Body - Sheet Metal, Paint & Wood 53-54 Door Latch Shims

I'm looking for some guidance on door latch positioning on my 54 Convertible rebuild. I am looking to move the latches forward -- towards the hinges - on the B pillar in order to get a better seating position for the lock ball into the latch. I can easily find specializ shims/spacers to do this on the newer cars but having no luck for them on pre-55's. I'm quite sure the GM part numbers for this are: 4593546 and 4593947.

Anyone have an idea on where I can find these or even a pattern for making a set?

thanks!

By "door latch" are you refering to the striker plate mounted to the door post or the lock inside the door?
The Striker plate shim for a 1953 is part #4604338 for the right side and 4567968 for the left side and is called a spacer in the parts book.

I was referring to the striker plate as you surmised. Thanks for clarifying! any ideas on clever places to find these is appreciated. my usual sources are striking out....

TRY CORVETTE CENTRAL AS THE STRIKERS ARE similar if not identical to the 56-62 corvettes. mike

Thanks and I really wish your thought was true. From what I can see, the pre-55 parts look different fairly substantially from the '54's -- including the later Corvettes. I believe the p/n's for the 54 are: 4593946 (RH) and 4593947 (LH)

The shims fit 1949-!954 passenger cars, My part numbers are from a 1953 parts book and one number is an older number that was later up-dated.
On a convertible the body and frame are very flexible so do not make any final adjustments until the car is sitting on all four wheels.