I'm not having much luck getting the front fenders and hood to line up on my 79. What reference point do I use when aligning the fenders? I guess I could align them with the front edge of the doors since I expect they are pretty much level. The hood is still not right. I've got it almost centered, but now the hood latch seems too far back and it's not level in the front even after adjusting the adjusters. What's the typical gap between the panels as well? Tightening the bolts in the places where they previously marked does not seem to bring the original fit back.
just some help for next time, drill reference holes with a small bit, then when you reassemble the panels you can put the drill bit in the holes to align the panels to where they were before removal.
Quote from: 78pinto on July 20, 2004, 11:49:42 PM
just some help for next time, drill reference holes with a small bit, then when you reassemble the panels you can put the drill bit in the holes to align the panels to where they were before removal.
I took auto body for about 5 years and no one ever came up with an idea that good.
Now I know why all the Fords coming out of St. Thomas have those little holes all over them.....
;D
That is a great idea if you're reassembling the old parts, but sometimes you're replacing parts, so Jeff's technique doesn't always apply. I can't tell (for sure) from your post if you're reassembling or replacing, but I'm thinking your reassembling/adjusting the original panels.
I've had plenty of experience with aligning body panels, especially front quarter panels. I had to rebuild the front end of a '91 Grand Am I once owned three times (deer, got cut off in rush hour traffic, got nailed by a jerk going for an insurance payoff). That's just *one* car I've done.
I like the fit to be as close as reasonable, but an even fit is more important than a close one. I don't know what Ford's factory tolerances were during the "Quality is Job 1" decades ('70s and '80s), but if you have 1/8" to 1/4" gaps, you should be okay as long as they're even. My Pintos' gaps run around 1/4" except at the back of the hood (where it's about a micron) and the backs of the doors (where it's 1/2").
The fender/door gap has three reference points: The top edge of the fender which continues as a crease on the door, the "point" at the front of the door, and the bottom edge. If you get this gap too narrow, you'll have problems with opening your door. As long as you haven't rehung your door, you're okay using it as a reference.
Put your fender on but don't torque down the bolts; allow the panel to slide. There should be 42" between the inside edges of the fenders at the front and 42 1/2" between the fenders at the back. Align the backs of the fenders, and tighten the back bolts once you have the correct spacing. Tighten the front bolts at the top of the fenders next maintaining the specified spacing between fenders. Finish tightening the top fender bolts.
Bolt down your hood so that it falls evenly between the finders. The front hood latch is part of a bolt on assembly and can itself also be slightly adjusted if necessary. Don't be surprised if the front edge of your hood and the front edges of your fenders don't line up 100%. The hood may jut forward a bit. If this bothers you, slightly loosen the fender bolts and gradually increase the gap between the door and fender. Retighten the bolts.
Hope that helps.
Quote from: Poison Pinto on July 21, 2004, 07:18:58 PM
Now I know why all the Fords coming out of St. Thomas have those little holes all over them.....
;D
Yea! .... I wondered about that myself, HA!
You should change your quote below your name to " have you seen a Vega today / yesterday / this year."
Quote from: Scott Hamilton on July 28, 2004, 10:43:44 PM
Quote from: Poison Pinto on July 21, 2004, 07:18:58 PM
Now I know why all the Fords coming out of St. Thomas have those little holes all over them.....
;D
Yea! .... I wondered about that myself, HA!