I have read several threads here and other forums, looked at lots of pictures and watched youtube videos... So most people are shooting for 3/16" for there gaps but ive read on convertible camaros there gaps a little wide on the top between the 1/4 and door... And from what ive seen and on my car its like that 68 malibu convertible... Is this correct for malibu convertibles? If this is already a known fact sory my search didnt come up with the answers... I know the gaps were all over from the factory but if they were exactly what gm wanted would they get larger on top to compensate for some flex in the frame? Btw mine is at 1/4" on top and about 3/16" towards the bottom... Also if i made them 3/16" all the way around would that be funny looking? Or a problem? Deff not a show car but i want a really nice driver and im in the body working stages now.

it's going to be a compromise at best to get all of the gaps looking even.
on my 68-vert i marked everthing before disassembly.
realigning the windows, hood and fenders seem the most difficult.
bumper gaps were not too bad.
i was directed to start with the doors first,
then move on to the fender to door gaps
it was difficult to get the fenders-hood gaps to look even and
to align the surface curves of the fender to the match the door.
the area were the door moves into the fender when opened is an area of concern
if too tight of gap the edges can contact on opening and chip.
obviously you should test fit several times before painting
i've seen them drill an 1/8'' alignment holes thru the brackets that allow quick realignment of the panels to each other

good luck it's alot of work ahead :thumbsup:

Thanks for the reply, my main question is on convertibles is the door gap wider on top between the 1/4 pannel and door.

I got my car as a shell so i didnt get to index or mark anything... I have taken it apart and put it back together countless times, all the pannels are flush now and gaps looking nice but not sure i want to leave the gap wider at top or correct it? I may copy and paste this thread in the body section but i wanted to hear from
Convertible owners first.

What year? I ask because I've noticed the 64-67 cars were a little tighter front and aft on the doors than the 68-72s. This refers to vertical seems only, the lower rocker gap is all over the place on the early cars. The later cars seem to widen a hair at the top, at least on the front gap. IMO it always looks funny to over correct factory gaps. That's not to say you should leave a distorted gap due to damage or panel replacement. If your goal is add metal and file fit then that process should be used for a modified car, not a restored car. The assembly manual states the accepted gaps from factory, but doubtful quality control was this accurate.


Jerry

Thanks jerry, its a 68 btw... I cant seem to find my assembly manuel right now and honestly it hasnt been much help yet lol kind of hard to read. Maybe it was just the camaros with a wider gap since they were a unibody? Hmmmm but then the gaps on my car and pictures i have seen would agree with my Theory...

I would personal make them uniform... Im fighting my 72 , its a 1/4 on top and slightly tighter at the bottom...

I would personal make them uniform... Im fighting my 72 , its a 1/4 on top and slightly tighter at the bottom...

So yours are like mine pretty much.. Did you fight to get yours were there at? Or your fighting them to get them uniform?

Also i did find my assembly manuel but havent found a spec .. I did some more research and it looks like gm might have got the bodys with the doors alreay on them?

The gaps actually look nice tappering down but maybe im
Just kidding myself ;) i believe thats the way there sposed to be, i wish one of these chevelle guros would either confirm or deny.

Im fighting to get them straight, id be done by now if it wasn't for that! I will have to cheat some to make them perfect...

This may or may not help but when I got my 64 it had all original rotted steel and the door gaps were closer to 1/4in and the hood and trunk were tight like I'm used to seeing on hard tops.The gap from the door to the rocker was wider than I thought normal but the same as where the door meets the quarter and fender and seeing the body lines lined up correctly the gaps looked natural.Fast forward and now have new full quarters and door skins and the lines and gaps are the same as before so somebody unfamiliar with a early vert may look and think its off I know its the same as it was originally.

Thanks zombie, i think i have it figured out now... I loosend up the last 2 body mounts on each side and jacked up the trunk floor with a 2x4 and floor jack and now my door gaps are perfect! Well except the right side between the rocker and lower edge of the door but that should be a easy fix.... I cant believe i didnt think of that before its like a no brainer... Anyways i put way to much thought into this and the problem was right in front of my face, well its not exactly fixed yet but im pretty sure some thick washers will do it... If anybody has any comments or precautions im all ears.

All fixed An looks (.)(.) ;)

lol.... any pics??

Nope but ill take one tonight and post it up, i have befores ill post with them.