How to aline the fenders with all those parts

[slantback37]

Hi. Been moving fenders up and down. Back in forth. When I get one side set. The other is off. Then when both sides look pretty good the gap at the back of the grille is off. Is there a special way to set the whole works up?? Maybe bolt the whole front clip together before mounting on the frame.

[fordcragar]

What are you working on? Have you had the car together and everything fit right or are you starting from scratch and don't know how it fit before?

[slantback37]

The body was here, and the frame over there. No front clip. I was able to find a front clip from a 37 Fordor. With the grille off I can put the fenders, and filler panels on and it fits real nice. As soon as I put the grille on. The hood hits hard on the front, but a big gap at the back of the grille. I may have one of those knockoff grilles. I am not going to pay $600. for another grille.

[51 MERC-CT]

Perhaps assembling the whole clip together on the car, locating and aligning everything loosely as best possible first, then take pic's and post here to see if anyone can give some direction.
No amount of verbally describing a problem in this case is as good as hands and eyeballs on the problem.
Even pictures can be misleading to some degree.

[slantback37]

Some pictures

[petehoovie]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Don't forget the welting/fender welting and the gaps it can fill....

[slantback37]

I do have the welting. It is maybe 1/4 to 3/8". I think the gaps might be bigger. Now I do have another grille. It came in a box with the pile of scrap that came with the car. Only problem is that it is kind of bent, and a piece of one of the ribs is missing. I do have a piece to replace it. Can you solder ribs together?? I tried a wire feed, but it just burns holes in the thin metal. That grille is a original one.

[51 MERC-CT]

Don't know if both sides are the same but first thing I would do is reform the fender as required to achieve the correct gaps.
Also it seems that the original hood latch has been eliminated and the replacement is not allowing the hood to seat where it should. It needs to be corrected.

[slantback37]

The other side is fine. I took pictures of the worst side. As far as the hood goes. The hood catch is out. The hood is just sitting on the grille top.

[FlatheadTed]

To use the wire feed shape a bit of sheet metal for over the join and weld the back side on the lowest heat ,make sure its clean ,then weld the front Dble thickness ,Ted

[1931 flamingo]

What if you elongate the holes in the fenders, etc to allow more movement for possibly a better fit??
Paul in CT

[37 Cab]

The top rib seems pinched at the front of your grille compared to Pete`s.

[slantback37]

I know it is pinched. I have tried to pull it up, but on the top side there is no bending at all. Pete's Grille maybe an original. I don't know about this one. There are holes for trim at the top, but none on the sides. It might be Stainless, but it is so thin.. On the other grill I have it has a piece missing. I have another piece to fix it, and there are a couple of broken ribs. That is why I wanted to solder them. I will then just paint it along with the car when I paint it.

[slantback37]

The fenders are the only part that I got with the front clip I got. The fillers I bought on ebay from one seller, and the grille from another seller.

[petehoovie]

[QUOTE=slantback37;1527734] Pete's Grille maybe an original.

You are correct. The grille on my '37 is original to car....

[slantback37]

I took my grille off, and turned it over. There are a couple of tabs at the top that pull down to the first ribs. I also did some lifting on the front. I see now where it is off. Grille should go down, and back. Front of fender should go down, and back of fender needs to go up. Lots of work, but it will be worth it in the end. On the Grille it says nothing as to whom made it. Looks kind of cheap from the back side. I am going to try one of those salvage yards in the desert. There might be one there.. Al

[Ken Crans]

rockymountainrelics.com

[Ken Crans]

this one is even better .... rockymountainrelics.net

[slantback37]

Thanks. I already have a email to them, and a few others. I don't care if it were rusty. Just don't want busted ribs, dents, or one from China.

[slantback37]

I have heard that when the 37 was built. Body men had to do work on every car. The parts made for that car fit that car. Parts from other cars had to be redone for that car.