Author Topic: Door to rocker panel gap???  (Read 3390 times)

Offline 73cudakid

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Door to rocker panel gap???
« on: May 06, 2010 - 12:07:11 PM »
Can anyone get me a dimension on the bottom of the door to rocker panel gap? I have cleco'ed my full 1/4s, ail panel and gutters onto my 73 cuda. I hung the doors on the other night and atempted getting my gaps close. My body lines are good and i have just shy of 1/4" gap between the door and 1/4, but the door to rocker gap is way bigger. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks




Offline 4 speed fish

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Re: Door to rocker panel gap???
« Reply #1 on: May 06, 2010 - 01:02:45 PM »
The bottom on mine are bigger also.I think that it is normal.I what to say that all bottom gaps on these cars are all bigger so hopefully other members here can support that.

Offline ntstlgl1970

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Re: Door to rocker panel gap???
« Reply #2 on: May 06, 2010 - 02:59:19 PM »
The bottom gap is all over the place, don't be surprised if the gap changes from front to rear of the door on the bottom also.
70 Cuda, 7.0L Gen-III Hemi, Viper T56 w/9310 gearset, 3.91's, Megasquirt MS3x v3.57, Innovate wideband, Firm Feel upper arms, torsion bars, springs and strut rods, QA1 DA shocks. I did everything on this car except the fancy paint stuff and I drive it...and I can't seem to stop messing with it....

Offline dutch

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Re: Door to rocker panel gap???
« Reply #3 on: May 06, 2010 - 04:33:56 PM »
it`s a big gap at the bottom  :grinyes:
*** Bart ***

OxfordMotorSports

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Re: Door to rocker panel gap???
« Reply #4 on: May 06, 2010 - 08:07:07 PM »
Can anyone get me a dimension on the bottom of the door to rocker panel gap? I have cleco'ed my full 1/4s, ail panel and gutters onto my 73 cuda. I hung the doors on the other night and atempted getting my gaps close. My body lines are good and i have just shy of 1/4" gap between the door and 1/4, but the door to rocker gap is way bigger. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

It shouldn't be WAY bigger. In fact it's not much more then the front and rear gaps. I didn't see anyone mention to FIRST check your door hinges for wear. Make sure they are in perfect condition. This is the #1 reason for doors not aligning properly. A door aligning tool such as the Steck equipment I use makes it a fairly simple process to get through.

I caught what another poster mentioned about drilling a few holes hear and there for alignment - an old school step called doweling that works well but something I would not do on a customers car. And scribing a line or doweling only comes into play if the vehicle you are dismantling is perfectly aligned to start with - which many are not. Either way- CHECK YOUR HINGES FOR WEAR FIRST. Most people don't. A bent, sagged or worn hinge will drive you nuts if you're not aware of it. E body doors are heavy.

Todd

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Offline ntstlgl1970

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Re: Door to rocker panel gap???
« Reply #5 on: May 07, 2010 - 01:49:31 AM »
If the bottom of the door to rocker gap is less than a half inch on mine I would be shocked. All original rockers and doors. Hinges rebuilt. Many cars I've looked at at shows are similar. I don't think they cared much about this gap at the factory a whole lot.
70 Cuda, 7.0L Gen-III Hemi, Viper T56 w/9310 gearset, 3.91's, Megasquirt MS3x v3.57, Innovate wideband, Firm Feel upper arms, torsion bars, springs and strut rods, QA1 DA shocks. I did everything on this car except the fancy paint stuff and I drive it...and I can't seem to stop messing with it....

Offline dutch

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Re: Door to rocker panel gap???
« Reply #6 on: May 07, 2010 - 01:57:58 AM »
If the bottom of the door to rocker gap is less than a half inch on mine I would be shocked. All original rockers and doors. Hinges rebuilt. Many cars I've looked at at shows are similar. I don't think they cared much about this gap at the factory a whole lot.

exactly...
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Offline Chlngrcrzy

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Re: Door to rocker panel gap???
« Reply #7 on: May 07, 2010 - 09:40:11 AM »
 :iagree: Amen  mine are 3/8 to over half inch.

OxfordMotorSports

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Re: Door to rocker panel gap???
« Reply #8 on: May 07, 2010 - 02:37:23 PM »
I'm not disagreeing with you guys about YOUR door gap measurements. I'm just relating my experience. I had my first Cuda when I was 16 (1977) - a B5 blue 71 Cuda convertible, blue interior and white top. 383 with the pistol grip. My uncle bought it new. I've been through a dozen Cudas and Challengers since. I've restored dozens. I just stripped, primed and reassembled a 1971 Cuda Hemi car (NOT ORIGINAL). The door gaps on the bottom of both doors are right at 3/8's. And that's down the entire length of the sill. The door gaps at the ends are right around 1/4. The quarters on this car were hung years ago by the former owner incorrectly as well as the dutch panel and they stick OUT past the doors just under a 1/4. My friend is stuck and can't afford to fix it.

So with all that I guess it's safe to say each car varies.

Todd

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« Last Edit: May 08, 2010 - 12:35:06 AM by OxfordMotorSports »