Pulling my hair out fitting panels!

[Rust Buster]

I am really bummed. I've spent the last several months working the original sheetmetal on my build (link below) to get all the panels lined up. I finally gave up and bought all new tri-plus doors, fenders, and hood.

So I spent one weekend on the doors, figured out that the PO had replaced the rockers way back when and had installed them too high, which threw everything off. Fixed that, and decided to go back and use the original doors because they are just much much beefier and well made. Had to cut the hoops and re-weld them to match the top door opening.

Now the fenders and hood... It is hard to tell from my pics, and they look worse in person, but the Tri-plus hoods and fenders do not match in contour (top of fender and sides of hood). The front slope of the hood is not as steep as the fenders. How can this be, and what to do? I'm thinking it is better to cut the fenders and reslope them since they don't get banged around like the hood. Any thoughts are very much appreciated. I've been through a few original 67-68 hoods and they all needed more work than they are worth and all had the dent/sag in the center.

[msgross]

It's only metal... "whatever it takes" I guess..

[Rust Buster]

Thanks Mike, I'm doing the best I can now, self medicating with beer. I am soooo sick of fitting panels that just won't fit!

[fine69]

They didnt fit worth a crap from the factory.

I have a 68 Chevy that has NEVER been apart. Fit sucks.

[Rust Buster]

Yeah, I think I need to quit trying to get things so perfect and just accept that I can't polish a turd

[19673ontree]

it can be done , I had worked on 67 68 69 camaro's and chevelle's for several year's prior to finding my 67 C10 and boy did it hit me like a sledge hammer how BAD THE GAP's AND PANEL FIT ON THES TRUCK's WAS !

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,just remember all that matter's is the final fit , what you did to make it fit DON't MATTER !


REPRO TAILGATE !


REPRO GATE #2


panel fit (DOOR)


panel fit (DOOR) 2


hood fit


door


hood


panel fit door (PRIMER)


you can do it !

[19673ontree]

here is a good example of what you have to do sometime's , look close at the front fender patch IT WAS A 1" TO SHORT ! you can see where I had to cut it in half and widen it to get it to fit correctly !

[68gmsee]

We feel the pain. My completely stock 68 GMC's sheetmetal fit leaves something to be desired also. But, I have to say that GM was not concerned about these trucks being perfect in those days. They were primarily for work so perfect alignment was not their priority. As these trucks became more of a family vehicle they started putting more emphasis in these areas.

In the meantime, I try to consider it a challenge and not get too frustrated.

I need another beer.

[Rust Buster]

Thanks for the encouragement everyone, that's why I love this site! I am hoping (but I am betting the opposite is true), that the original fenders will match the aftermarket hood, so I can just swap the fenders out. I just don't want to have to hunt again for a 67-68 hood that does not have a sag in the middle like all the others...

[msgross]

wasn't GM tolerance like 1/4"? I think I heard that from GMC Paul or somebody...

[19673ontree]

Originally Posted by msgross

wasn't GM tolerance like 1/4"? I think I heard that from GMC Paul or somebody...

if it was the ruler they used was WAY OFF !

[msgross]

1/4" for every gap is a lot though... maybe it was 1/4" for each panel, that's 1/2" for each gap!

[Green Machine]

For whatever it is worth, we bought a pair of tri plus fenders for our 68 when it got redone. The front slope of the fenders did not match the hood, the headlight opening was to large, but a turnbuckle between the upper and lower grill holes pulled that into shape. Had problems with the rear mounts on top where it bolts to the cowl, had to use a bunch of shims and then those mounts points hit the hood when shut.

Finally had enough and repaired the originals, the new tri plus are still sitting here colleting dust. Going to cut one up for patch panels for our next project, no more of those for us.

[westofb]

Sometimes take some improvising to make things fit better. Have used many things in past like a ratchet straps to pull radiator supports over, and of course the block of wood and a big f***ing hammer. Like mentioned by others it is end result that counts not the methods it takes getting there....good luck with those panels!

[PHAT TONY]

Split the differences; smoke and mirrors. If you're gonna start cutting and welding make sure to remove and re-fit the panel before you call it "done" to make sure some heat didn't change anything.

[mbgmike]

AIn't body work Fun Its probably not your case but one thing it seems most people do is assume that the frame and/or body is even straight when they start. It looks OK I hear alot. If you are trying to do a real pro job, get the frame checked out. We have had guys come over and they show us their problems with the panels fitting poorly and after putting them on a frame machine alot of the times those problems can go away. It is probably the most overlooked thing that people will do to save money. Granted it will not solve all problems with panel alignment.

[68gmsee]

Originally Posted by Rust Buster

......... I just don't want to have to hunt again for a 67-68 hood that does not have a sag in the middle like all the others...

Bowed hoods are a common problem on these trucks. You may be able to straighten them out if they're not severely damged with a little tlc. New pads can help as well as slight persuasion with the proper technique.

I've had luck using some of the ideas some of the guys here have used to straighten them out.

Here's some past posts re: bowed hoods.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ight=bent+hood


http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...od#post1785818