Door gaps on e-bodies...normal for them to be big?

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    Author Topic: Door gaps on e-bodies...normal for them to be big?  (Read 1602 times)

    Offline ragtopdodge

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    Door gaps on e-bodies...normal for them to be big?
    « on: April 13, 2007 - 11:44:38 AM »
    1/4" seems huge.

    My body guy is willing to make it tighter, but wondering if this was due to sloppy '70s Detroit?  Or w/maybe a convertible, it needed huge gaps for the flexing?

     :scared:

     

    Anyone seen this on any other 'verts like b-body or a-bodies? Are they bigger than on the hardtops?

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    Offline Jacksboys

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    Re: Door gaps on e-bodies...normal for them to be big?
    « Reply #1 on: April 13, 2007 - 01:52:10 PM »
    I just checked my 71 hardtop.  There is 1/4" gap on the driver's side and just under 1/4" on the passenger's side.   Hope that helps.   :2thumbs:
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    1971 Dodge Challenger:  360/904/3.23
       
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    Offline Stacked440

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    Re: Door gaps on e-bodies...normal for them to be big?
    « Reply #2 on: April 13, 2007 - 09:46:25 PM »
    Links are dead for me :dunno:
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    -Kyle-
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    Offline 6packCuda

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    Re: Door gaps on e-bodies...normal for them to be big?
    « Reply #3 on: April 13, 2007 - 09:55:10 PM »
    Me too. :dunno:
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    Dave

    Offline scf100

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    Re: Door gaps on e-bodies...normal for them to be big?
    « Reply #4 on: April 14, 2007 - 08:11:27 PM »
    I am not a body man but my 1970 Mustang convertible I just bought that was just restored has a big gap like that between my rt front fender and door....my body guy is going to fix it by unbolting the bottom of fender, then jacking up car under that area and letting the body flex, thus closing the gap, then tighten, lower car, redjust door in the hole to align all gaps again....will seee next week if it works...
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    Offline Madmax440

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    Re: Door gaps on e-bodies...normal for them to be big?
    « Reply #5 on: April 14, 2007 - 08:22:34 PM »
    Mine are just under (slightly) a quarter also.
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    Offline SilverChally

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    Re: Door gaps on e-bodies...normal for them to be big?
    « Reply #6 on: April 14, 2007 - 08:33:05 PM »
    Once its primed and painted it will build up some, so the gap will look smaller when done.
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    Offline moper

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    Re: Door gaps on e-bodies...normal for them to be big?
    « Reply #7 on: April 15, 2007 - 08:49:25 AM »
    1/4" is fine for a 70s era car. Even tight for Mopar's body works...lol. But, it needs to be even the entire length, which yours is not even close. Set it at 1/4, and then the paint will tighten it slightly. Dont use filler like you see Boyd Cddington doing on any door edge or conrer. You're asking for repairs later. Also, you may need to modify some panel mounting areas to get the whole thing to look nice when you tighten the gaps. On a lighter car, I dont like big gaps. On a  darker car, they tend to blend more.
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