I have unequal margins at the hood-to-fender lines, tight on one side and about 1/4 inch gap on the other. The hood is tight at the cowl. A previous Kubes' post on adjusting the hood advised to get the hood adjusted right at the cowl first, then adjust the fenders to the hood. So I am going to attempt to shift the fenders and grill to the hood.
I've just started looking at this, and can already see I won't be able to get enough movement out of the grill. The two bolts at the bottom of grill into it's supporting pan under the radiator won't allow much movement. It does look like I could shift that pan, could get 1/8 inch movement there before the pan hits the frame rail.
But it appears to me that the pan has never been touched, is as it left the factory. So my question is: am I going about this the right way? How to shift the fenders?
In reality, these cars often left the factory with poor gap (adjustment). Some of the factory photographs as well as dealer photographs clearly depict very poor alignment.
It sounds as if you are going about this issue the correct way (in my opinion).
Prior to painting a car, I enlarge a number of holes used to later fasten the front sheet metal together. A slightly larger hole here and there can and does make a huge difference in the ease of aligning the front clip.
At the point you are at, I might suggest you loosen all of the bolts between the grille and fenders just a bit - enough that you are able to 'man handle' the fender(s) / grille. Also, do the same at the fender / cowl attachment points. You need to allow the movement of these pieces with effort.
I would also suggest that for now you remove the lower radiator pan entirely.
I hate to suggest this but you may find that you'll need to remove the grille and open up the holes at the fender and grille to allow more adjustment to be made. You may also need to do this at the fender / cowl points.
Oh, you may want to remove the hood rubber bumpers for now. They can and do create pinch points. You may find they need to be trimmed.
One other piece of advice: Attempt to fix one thing at a time. in other words, get one fender to fit, then the other. yes, you'll find it necessary to move back and forth but attempting to align everything at one time will prove not only nearly impossible but quite frustrating.
With as many of these as I have restored, this part of the process is always one I tend to disdain. It's a pain in the butt nearly each and every time regardless of all the little 'tricks" I've learned through the years.
be patient my friend... you'll get it right
This is one of those tasks that the proverbial "long road" may just be the quickest route.
Mike "Kube" Kubarth
This message was edited by kubes40 on 8-13-17 @ 8:38 AM
Regards, Steve Lee
Thank you for all that good advice. I guess I'll get into this, one of these days, when I have the time, and in the mood, to tackle a tedious project. Thanks!
Jay
You'll get it!
:)
Mike "Kube" Kubarth