Any one want to teach a rookie on how to line up body panels.

[Denison636]

I been trying to get my trunk to line up and no luck. What it comes down to I can't even get my hood on right. Heck if there is a spot to be messed up on the this car when it comes to body gaps, there all messed up. I got the car like this. I have rebuilt the drive train and have done it myself. I can adjust a solid can lifter but can't do body work.
If anyone in the ofallon mo area would like to help I would greatly appreciate it.

[CHL2T]

The key to hood and decklid is to only open them enough to get access to the bolts and to keep them tight enough to not flop around but loose enough to be able to move slightly.

For the doors, you need a large floor jack to support the door, loosen , adjust and re tighten to check the fit...

[E-Body Products]

It's always a two person job and you need to align the front end with doors, fenders and hood all in place. It takes awhile.


E-Body Products
www.ebodyproducts.com
606-481-9014

[67vertman]

Have any body panels been replaced, such as quarter panels?

Non-stock panels, if not installed correctly can really throw you off on panel fitment.

As for body alignment, I always start with the doors, align the rear of the door with the rear quarter and body line, while you are at it check for door hinge sagging. Next move to front fenders, front door gap and then the hood.
Remember hood bumpers and weather striping can affect alignment as well.  After you get the gaps set then you can use a straight edge to start body work.

As others have stated, time and patience is what it takes to get them right.  Also remember these cars never had that great of body gaps from the factory. I wish I was close to you so I could help.

[CHL2T]

It's always a two person job and you need to align the front end with doors, fenders and hood all in place. It takes awhile.


E-Body Products
www.ebodyproducts.com
606-481-9014

Really?

I only had help with installing the hood and doors on the Charger.....

As for aligning them, I did it and  it really wasn't hard, juts time consuming

[shawge]

   Align from back to front.  Very time consuming.  I found it helpful to mark the hinges/bolts (I used a grease pencil) to gauge the corrections needed, especially on the doors. 

[jimynick]

Another old trick is that when you finally DO get the doors where you want them, to drill 2, separated,  1/8th" holes through the hinges into the pillar. Then, when you take them off to paint, you simply put them back on, in the old position by using an 1/8 rod to line up the holes and if they offend you, put a dab of caulking in them and then touch that up paint-wise. Don't be surprised if the thing doesn't fit nicely- most of them didn't from the get-go and the beautiful gaps you see on the show cars are the result of a lot of welding and grinding. It's common to be able to put your fingers under the bottom of the doors between the rocker and them. Good luck