Body Panel Alignments

[Topcat]

I have grown a learning curve on trying to get all the sheetmetal aligned perfect. It is like a jigsaw puzzle. Just the slightest change affects all other areas around it. I'm  slower than some no doubt that are experienced at this type of work.

The driver's side went pretty smooth.
Gaps look great. But the passenger side has been a PITA. Mainly the door and fender gaps and how it affects the header to hood gap. I'm sooo close I can taste it. All rubber parts, door parts, and seals are in place everywhere.

I wanted to hear how many hours/days/weeks did it take you to get where you felt satisfied with all the alignments on your project. What made it easy, etc. Stories.

[E-Body Products]

It took me three evenings to align the doors, fenders, hood and trunk on the cuda.  I am very pleased with the results.  I also had someone helping me which made things go much faster.  This way, one person can hold while the other tightens things up.  Those fenders are from Sherman.  I had to do some tweaking, but I am very pleased.

[OxfordMotorSports]

Yes in deed. Two heads are better than one. And four hands doesn't hurt! I usually do it solo but that's what I've been doing 24/7 days a week for the last 33 years. If your a part timer - get some help.

Todd

OMS

[dutch]

took me about 2 full days to get it right. It would have been easier with a couple extra hands though. At first I had too narrow gaps and after mounting the hood I had to start all over again.
There is the problem ... you`ve got to start with doors and fenders, but the hood pretty much decides where everything else seats...  I adjusted all parts without seals and bumpers. I`m installing seals right now and all panels line up nice. 

[OxfordMotorSports]

took me about 2 full days to get it right. It would have been easier with a couple extra hands though. At first I had too narrow gaps and after mounting the hood I had to start all over again.
There is the problem ... you`ve got to start with doors and fenders, but the hood pretty much decides where everything else seats...  I adjusted all parts without seals and bumpers. I`m installing seals right now and all panels line up nice. 

That's how I do it. NO SEALS. And some help doesn't hurt. I don't know if any of you scribe (very lightly) your stock parts around their hinges and mounting points but it's a major help. I use a small ice pick.

Todd

OMS

[wagesofsin]

upon initial fitment , or prior to initial dissassmbly , if all gaps are satisfactory , i drill 2 small pilot holes in an inconspicous spot on all the panels to be removed.make sure to wind some tape liberally around the shaft to create a shoulder so they can just sit in the hole. then i tape the bits together and put em somewhere safe.  upon reassembly , all you need to do is line up the holes so the bits drop in , and your good to go.

[OxfordMotorSports]

I have grown a learning curve on trying to get all the sheetmetal aligned perfect. It is like a jigsaw puzzle. Just the slightest change affects all other areas around it. I'm  slower than some no doubt that are experienced at this type of work.

The driver's side went pretty smooth.
Gaps look great. But the passenger side has been a PITA. Mainly the door and fender gaps and how it affects the header to hood gap. I'm sooo close I can taste it. All rubber parts, door parts, and seals are in place everywhere.

I wanted to hear how many hours/days/weeks did it take you to get where you felt satisfied with all the alignments on your project. What made it easy, etc. Stories.

Always check your door hinges first before putting it back together and aligning it. A bent, worn or sagging door hinge will cause problems throughout the entire process of alignment. Most people never check. Same with the hood hinges. E body doors and hoods are heavy as we all know and old hinges cause problems.

Todd

OMS

[Topcat]

Always check your door hinges first before putting it back together and aligning it. A bent, worn or sagging door hinge will cause problems throughout the entire process of alignment. Most people never check. Same with the hood hinges. E body doors and hoods are heavy as we all know and old hinges cause problems.

Todd

OMS

I had the hinges re built. 

[OxfordMotorSports]

I had the hinges re built. 

First place I start. Making sure there are no issues with the hood and door hinges. Just take your time and it will line up.

Todd

OMS

[cudagirl4406pk]

 

My husband does restorations also and he said when doing all them panels good to have three people if you can and also use  a paint stick   just  plain old paint stick you get from lowes etc to use as a  a gap tool.It works terrific.He has been using them for years so all your gaps are as close as possible.People think doing bodywork and painting and gaps and all that is simple until they do it.Next time your at a show and someone says oh that aint hard  i can do it in no time you say say yeah right stop over and show me how fast u can do it.LMAO.


michele

[OxfordMotorSports]

I respect everyone's opinion who posts on these forums. I only post MY opinion here to help those who are not in the paint business. I did 20+ hard years doing heavy hits and collision work and I am telling you it's not that hard to align a vehicle's panels. I graduated early on from the paint sticks and made up several sets of flat bar aluminum in all the sizes for gap checking. Along with the Steck alignment tools available to anyone who chooses to purchase them, aligning sheet metal is a straight forward process. If I had three guys aligning a door in my collision shop years ago I would have fired them all. Collision shop = production and cars have to keep moving. It can be a one man process with the right equipment and knowledge. I rarely need help and I can get it done in short time. Not all collision shops are nightmares and can get a vehicle done in a timely matter. Finding a good shop is the challenge.

If you are a part timer trying to get your car right - take your time and don't get frustrated. It's not that hard. If you don't have the proper tools - GET SOME EXTRA HANDS IN YOUR SHOP TO HELP.

Todd

Oxford Motor Sports

New York Customs

www.newyorkcustomauto@yahoo.com

[E-Body Products]

I think the paint stick idea is a great idea.  Thanks for the tip...

Todd, what is the gap width that you prefer to use?

[cudagirl4406pk]

No problem on the tip i hope it helps.And as todd said in the end if your a part timer which most guys at home are doing this in their garage just get some extra hands that is why i said get 2 or 3 people with you to help you might not need them but doesnt hurt to have a few friends over to help hold them doors and such while you align and tighten plus you all learn something and have a good time.

[OxfordMotorSports]

I think the paint stick idea is a great idea.  Thanks for the tip...

Todd, what is the gap width that you prefer to use?

First Daniel - please go to the other thread - floor pan recommendation -  and help him out. I saw your floor pan work and you could really assist him with some product info.

On all panels 3/16 plus or minus a 1/32. On doors and doors only - 3/16 at the striker. 1/4 between the front of the door and fender. The front door gap needs a little more room for the door to swing open. All the gaps on a vehicle must be correct before I paint it.  And yes - bottom door gaps are notoriously screwed up on the Mopars we all love.

Todd   

OMS

NYC

[E-Body Products]

Thanks Todd...  The reason I asked was because we used 3/16" wooden sticks (From our wood shop) to set the gaps.  We had taken gap measurements off of other cars and it was the best option.  I just wanted to double check to see what you were doing to see if it was the best method.

The other post has already been addressed as well.