Oh my! Lining up doors, fenders and hood, NOT!

[Chlngrcrzy]

Guys i need some pointers for getting things lined up. Which ones do i do first? I have spent at least 1 or 2 hrs a night, the last couple nights trying to get things lined up, and getting no where. I read somewhere in a previous post about the order, but can't seem to locate it.

[shawge]

I've heard to start at the rear and work your way forward.  Doors, fenders, then hood.  I'm sure some of the other members will chime in.

[Topcat]

I've heard to start at the rear and work your way forward.  Doors, fenders, then hood.  I'm sure some of the other members will chime in.

 

I had this PM'd to me a few years back. Glad I saved it. Now it's my turn also to start doing it.

Welcome,
so you want to open the door so you can move the fender forward?IT would help a lot if you told me which panel was sticking out further or are they butted up together,anyway the way to do it is first of all... see if you can force a cloth down into the gap and put a cloth in the gap to the bumper!,,,,slacken all the bolts off except the top rear fender bolt and one of the fender sill-bolts,[remove the bolts to the front panel except the top ones nearest the hood]get someone to hold the fender near the headlight [any sideways outward movement here will cause the fender to hit the door!] and get someone else to hold onto the lower rear part of the wheel arch and pull the fender forwards slightly [not too hard!] then slowly undo the last sill bolt.As soon as the bottom of the fender moves stop pulling.you dont want the bottom to move too much without the top being loose! if you get a bit of a gap try to get a cloth into it then nip the bolt up very slowly while watching the gap...undo the top bolt while someone else pulls the top forward. again put lots of cloth into the gap and nip up the bolt...GET A BIG GAP!.Then you should be able to open the door.Get someone to open the door REALLY SLOWLY while YOU watch the gap all the way down but especially at the top. get rid of the cloth and run masking tape all down the gap both on the fender and door.you will have to loosen all the bolts off quite a lot to get the fender to move. when your ready to get your gap to the door make sure all the fender bolts are loose and then with someone holding the front,someone else holding the rear and watching the gap close the door.Stand side on to the car and slap the top part of the fender with the palms of your hands forward a few times away from the door this gives you a good idea on how far the fender will move each time you hit it.The panel should only move a small amount each time when you do it this way.When you think youve got your gap.open the door even slower than before ,IMPORTANT: when you think your there OPEN the door and do up the rear fender bolts first! Make sure the hood lines up nice then close the door SLOWLY again because the fender may have moved when you done the bolts up.thats pretty much it. please im not trying to sound off like i know better,but i would strongly advise on not moving the door,any hinge undone on the door will cause the bottom of the door to move forwards and hit the fender and e-body doors are very heavy! and if your new to bodywork lining up doors is one of the hardest things to do..
good luck!

[Canadian Cuda]

you want to get the doors matched up first since you cant move the quarters, so line them up with quarters, then fenders, and hood. it took me 3 hrs to get my one door lined up and only 30 min. for the other. you also have to realize the tolerances for these cars was quite large, and they didnt have perfect/equal gaps all over.

also you'll probably want a helper with the doors, they're not light

[quapman]

When you get to the fenders, you may need washers between them and the inners to get the top body line right. I've seen MANY cars with this from the factory. It can sometimes be as much as 1/4" of jacking needed. Later, you can fill the gaps with seam sealer.

[torredcuda]

you want to get the doors matched up first since you cant move the quarters, so line them up with quarters, then fenders, and hood. it took me 3 hrs to get my one door lined up and only 30 min. for the other. you also have to realize the tolerances for these cars was quite large, and they didnt have perfect/equal gaps all over.

also you'll probably want a helper with the doors, they're not light

When you get to the fenders, you may need washers between them and the inners to get the top body line right. I've seen MANY cars with this from the factory. It can sometimes be as much as 1/4" of jacking needed. Later, you can fill the gaps with seam sealer.

   you may even have to go back and re-adjust the doors and start over if you can`t get everything lined up the first time.

[Chlngrcrzy]

Thanks for all the help and information guys. I was told also that i should have all the door weatherstrip and bumpers on as well as the hood bumpers and wedges, before i start trying to line things up. Makes sense. I just shot off an order today to get a few things i need, and then the work begins. 

[swede-cuda]

 :2thumbs:check your door hinges,maybe you need to order some bushings and pins while your at it.

[dutch]

I`m not so sure about the strips & bumpers. You will need the play between the panels when adjusting. Also make sure to use all bolts and not just 2 or 3 on hinges and fenders. It makes a lot of difference in the gaps when all bolts are in.  good hinges are a must. 
good luck, and take your time.  You`re quick if you make it in one day IMO... 

[Challenger III]

I know you probably have help, but if you ever need an extra set of hands, I can pop over the hill and help. (I'd like to see your work anyway and gain some info from someone who's done it).

[Chlngrcrzy]

Hinge pins and bushings have been changed so doors are already to go.    

[Chlngrcrzy]

I know you probably have help, but if you ever need an extra set of hands, I can pop over the hill and help. (I'd like to see your work anyway and gain some info from someone who's done it).

Mike, your welcome anytime to drop by. However, my methods are probably a good example of what not to do.   

[Challenger III]

Mike, your welcome anytime to drop by. However, my methods are probably a good example of what not to do.   

Your project is looking real good.
I'm getting ready to lead the roof on my car, and I am using yours and wages threads to go by. Trying to find more info.
other than that I am using the "pass on 4th down" method.

[Chlngrcrzy]

The lead work wasn't too bad too do. Just make sure it is super clean and paint, rust, etc. free in the area your leading. I could have went a bit thicker with lead, then i would not have had to use so much filler to finish also.