Nailing top wood

[Portland/JohnR]

Hey gentlemen and the rest of you! https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif I am restoring a 29 Tudor and have a couple questions about nailing. From what I have read, it is a good idea to pre-drill? Also I have anywhere from a 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch between the body metal and the wood. Is that normal? I assume one would just put the nail in so it is tight to the metal and not try to pull the metal up tight to the wood. Thanks Guys!