How do I get these hinges off without mangling them? 1939 LaSalle hearse.

[Andrew Pullin]

Hey folks. I know this might be a bit of a long-shot inquiry, but I am really trying to minimize the number of parts I am going to have to machine from scratch on this project 

The hinges I am looking at are on the rear door of my 1939 LaSalle hearse. The rounded part on the top of each hinge has a flathead slot in it, but beyond that I can't tell if there's a special operation to get it apart, or if the fastener has broken and I'll need to drill it out the rest of what's there. Just trying to be careful at every step... plus, I only have access to the shop & car on weekends so I get to sit here all week stewing about every stuck bolt and missing part.

Here's some pictures:




Bah, in retrospect, those pictures aren't as illustrative as they could be. Anyway, any insight would be appreciated!

[Brett Cottel]

Hey Pullin, fun stuff getting my hinges off. replacing most of the bolts because i destroyed them getting them off. Lucky, they are 1" fine thread and easy to find.  Can't you pull the plate's off the rear door and then get the hinge apart? It would be easier holding it in your hand....I would think.  Anyway, the picks show threads down inside.....maybe a bushing that was pounded in? parts book might help...might not. What is the bottom looking like? The cap you pic'd is just a weather cap right? the strength of the hinge still inside? HTH
Brett

Ps: good to hear your cranking on that beast....what a cool car.....

[Andrew Pullin]

Hrm, you're right, those top pieces must just be covers of some kind. They have a short thread on them, about 3/16", which screws into that threaded hole on the top which you can see in the picture. The bottom caps have no slots in them. Although Maybe there's a setscrew on the inside face ... I'll check around for that.
I might have to disassemble it where it meets the body, but all those fasteners are frozen dead solid.
It is possible that the it's just a large diameter pin in a tight bushing, and it needs a lot of force to be pushed out ... just checking with the experts before I do anything rash.

Do you happen to know if there are complete parts diagrams for the 1939 LaSalle? I'll ask over in the general forum, too.
I have the Service Manual, which has a few diagrams, but if there's something that which has even more exploded diagrams, that would be very, very helpful.
Of course, this hinge was probably design by some guy are Superior coach works, who only machined a small handful of them. Oh well!

[Brett Cottel]

Try the net for a parts list...I have one for my 55 but no idea for your car....plus your right about some guy machining the few parts needed for our coaches!  I wonder if you could look into how hinges were being done in that time frame to see how they might have done yours...although don't know where to look for that eh?
Brett