[The WidowMaker]

ive been working on the alignment of my doors to quarters and fenders and have gotten them real good. but, there is a small V that still exists between the two. what i mean is that if i lay a straight edge across, all the parts curve in slightly over the last 1.5". even though i have gotten a perfect alignment, i have not gotten rid of this low spot. is this normal? If not, im going to have to build the edges of all my panels. Like i said, its maybe 3/32 low over the last 1.5", but still even throughout.

Thanks, Tim

 

[Bowtie70ss]

Did you block sand the pieces individually before you installed them? I found on my Elcamino that the front of the doors and the rear of the GM NOS front fenders were a little "low" like you describe.

Dave

 

[The WidowMaker]

nothing has been sanded. Its still in the bare metal phase. i guess i just didnt know if it was supposed to be perfectly straight across the gaps, or if it was supposed to curve in slightly. the door would be easy to fix, but i dont see how i would be able to fix the fender and quarter without adding metal. ive already spent about 8 hours on the right fender getting it to line up to the doors contour. i made about 15 cuts in the back of the fender, bent it to where it was needed, and then rewelded.

thanks for your help, Tim

 

[tmcmillan5]

Hey Tim, I think that curvature at the end of a panel is just a function of the Stamping and a 90* bend or greater. The metal gives a bit before and after a bend. Like you I am anal about Panel Gaps in my car,I see way too many 60's
cars with pinky finger size door gaps. Drives me crazy.

Tell me about your Fenders though, my 68 fenders have more curvature than my doors at about belt high. You said that you cut yours, does that mean you took some curve out of the fender?

Thanks, Tony

 

[MakMetalFab]

the quarter is meant to meet the door at an angle! this is called a coke bottle flair, The front fender also V's in slightly from the top line down, However the top part you can put a strait edge accross, maybe this will help.

 

[The WidowMaker]

I added curve and took curve out. I started at the top and just worked my way down. the worst matchup was right under the bodyline where there is a big concave. this area now matches up perfectly.

 

[The WidowMaker]

thanks for all of your help guys. i just wasnt sure if that little inward turn was factory or not. i was worried about how the light would hit it and how it would look when sighting down the side.

thanks again, Tim