I did a search and didn't find the answer I was looking for. I know someone will probably pull up an old thread with the info I need.

What should the door, trunk and hood gaps be. I saw 1/4", 5/16", 1/8". What should they be.

This is back from July, but thought it might give you something to think about, seems about 3/16'' is the norm.

Jul 11th, 07, 5:49 PM
rubadub (http://www.chevelles.com/forums/member.php?u=21168) http://www.chevelles.com/forums/olp/images/statusicon/user_online.gif
Team Member http://www.chevelles.com/forums/team_member.gif
Rob
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: two rivers wi.
Posts: 4,099


http://www.chevelles.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif door edges and panel gaps
Thought this needed a specific post on it.

In the last year or so it seems like there is a lot more attention to panel gaps.

So, I thought it wouldn't hurt to mention this.

From what I have read it seems that 3/16 is what a lot of them like to see on the panel gaps.

Door and quarter edges are another thing that you might want to look at a little closer.

If you ever see those edges that are done right, when you stand a couple feet back from them at an angle, it will look like almost a sharp edge.

Its a pretty rare case to find one thats right on the money, but if you do, you will notice how really nice it looks.

If you take a close look at a couple of restored cars, a real close look, and you probably will see where it is rounded slightly, or right at the edge you have several different radius going up that door edge or quarter.

When your welding and grinding on those edges to get those 3/16 gaps, make yourself a radius gauge or you could buy one at a store that sells machinist tools, and try and get those edges on the money, same for the hood and deck lid.

This is a lot of overkill, I know, but once you see one thats done right, you will be surprised how nice it really looks.

The other thing is, when block sanding those panels, you have to be really carefull, or you will flat spot it slightly a half or an inch or so back on the panel.

If anyone has one that has that radius on the money all the way up, maybe a couple of close up pictures from a couple of different angles, would be a good thing to put on here.

I'm probably a month or two from getting to mine, but I will try and put them on the money, and post up some close up pictures.

Mean while, anybody on here that could put some pictures on. Please.

Rob

Hey Rob!
I like them to be about 3/16'' too. But sometimes you have to cut and reweld the sheetmetal to get this gap. These cars were never really perfect when they came from the factory. And if you want to get them better then these. You will sometimes have to cut on the car. Most of the time it is around the trunk gap. Since you cant move the quarters out or in too get a perfect gap.

NOW! you can take the easy way out and just fill the gap up with filler. Whitch I have seen done. And dont like at all. It can very easy crack right back out.
The best way is to cut and reweld!

For all the ones that want it back like the factory. Just get them as close to 3/16" as possible.

I did not cut anything on the GTO Judge I did. And yes I will tell you that they are not just perfect all the way up the doors.

But on this 58 Impala I did. It took hours getting all the gaps just perfect on it. They are all 3/16". You can take a paint mixing stick around this car.
http://s265.photobucket.com/albums/ii206/shannon2356/1958%20Impala/

Hope you have a Happy New Year Shannon

Thanks guys. I bought some doors made by dynacorn after I found some rust on the original ones. Well I couldn't get the top of the door to line up with the quarter. When I looked further and compared doors the top has a different contour than the original. The original curves out alittle to meet the quarter and the dynacorn door is flat. I will have to add something to the top to get the line right.

[quote=shannon2356;1631280]Hey Rob!

For all the ones that want it back like the factory. Just get them as close to 3/16" as possible.
================================================== ====
I hear you on that one.:thumbsup:

Rob

3/16 thats what I was taught years back or as close to 3/16 as you can get.I keep a piece of 3/16 plastic that I test with. I think Eastwood makes some type of measuring doodad.