need info about body panel gaps

[dburgessc]

I have a cuda that I am currently restoring and have a question about the size of the gaps in between body panels and the doors.  Maybe some folks out there can measure the gaps on their cars and get back to me. Specifically the measurement of the gap on the forward and aft edges of the doors.  Although if anyone has the time I would like to have the measurements of all the gaps on the car (doors, trunk,and hood).  I am very interested to see how much they vary from car to car.  Thanks a bunch!  Don. :coffee:

[Chryco Psycho]

the gaps should be aligned so the front & rear are the same usually around 3/16 of an inch

[hotrod98]

 
I measured my gaps and they are approx. 3/16.
Here's a suggestion...don't final install the fenders until the engine,driveline and interior are in. If possible, drive the car around a little before final assembly. These unibody cars tend to settle a little after being reassembled. Also, once the doors are aligned, tighten the hell out of the door hinge bolts and don't forget to tighten the inner ones as well. My son's '70 Chal R/T settled some after he drove it a while and it was a royal pain to realign the doors and fenders. My 71 was the same way. When I put my wife's '73 together, I waited to final assemble and her car's lines look great. I hope to install my hemi in my chal convert this weekend and I haven't permanently installed the fenders yet.  I can only imagine how much a convert would settle.  One more thing...in case you don't know...remove the strikers while you are aligning the doors. The striker will cause the door to move up or down and will mess you up as to which way to move the door. After the doors are aligned to the quarter and rocker, reinstall the striker and adjust it until you get it centered and just catching the second step in the latch. Have fun.

[71fish]

hotrod - that's a good tip on aligning the doors. The strikers make it tough 4 sure. Thanks. Any other panel tips are more than welcome.. soince mine are all f'd up still.  :madvibe:

[dburgessc]

Thanks for the replies.  I was thinking the gaps on my doors were a little big but from the responses here I guess they are pretty much normal.  Thank again,  D.