Help aligning body panels?

[busmania]

Alright I am about one week from driving my40 for the first time since the early 60’s. It’s been a long journey and there’s still a TON to do after I get it moving under its own power.

Anyway, one of the last things I need to do before trying to drive it around the block is tightening and aligning all of my body panels. The body was off the frame and it has been fastened down. The hood is mounted (I was told to start with the hood) and lines up nicely with the cowl. The fenders though are pretty off. The driver side is about an inch off. Everything is loos so I can push it I to place but what are the proper ways to get everything lined up? Shims? If so, where? I’m not really a body work guy!

Thank you!

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[Kube]

I would align the doors to the body prior to the front clip being aligned.
Depending on how the gaps appear, a guy adds shims or removes shims. Where from? Again, that depends on the gaps.
I'll help the best I am able. Helping remotely isn't the best but with good photos and an accurate description, I'm willing to bet we can get ya close.

The hood and front fenders and grille are done last. Be prepared... that is not a fun experience.

[19Fordy]

Read all about sheet metal alignment here:
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...40+sheet+metal

[busmania]

Thanks kube. I read through the thread 19fordy posted (also thank you) and will go that route and may come back with questions as I work through it.

[Karl Wescott]

From what I am seeing there could be (but not necessarily are) underlying frame issues. Before attempting to align the doors I would recommend checking the frame for square, and for level. While easier with the body off the frame it can be done with the body on. http://www.wescottsauto.com/WebCatal..._Technical.pdf has some good pointers.


The second question is do you have the "yoke" that ties the inner fenders to the front crossmember? Missing that could be part of the problem of the lateral shift of the grille in relation to the hood.

[busmania]

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Frame is a little bit of a concern as I forgot to measure it when it was all apart. Damnit! I do have the Center yolk thingy loosely installed.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by busmania

Frame is a little bit of a concern as I forgot to measure it when it was all apart. Damnit! I do have the Center yolk thingy loosely installed.

Loose is good. The yoke will not hold the front metal alignment in place.
Once you have the alignment, you may find it prudent to shim that brace on one side or the other. You don't want it to pull either side when tightening it down.

[busmania]

Made lots of progress last night! With the advice of my friends here (y’all) and the help of my friend me ratchet strap to help pull and hold it in place, I got much closer! Not perfect yet but close enough to get on with an alignment and my rest drive around the block. Here’s some photos.

My only issue now is the passenger side fender needs to come up about 1/4” at the front. As you work toward the back of the front passenger fender it straightens out. How do I raise this side slightly?

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[Kube]

My only issue now is the passenger side fender needs to come up about 1/4” at the front. As you work toward the back of the front passenger fender it straightens out. How do I raise this side slightly?

It'll help a LOT if you elongate the holes of that fender, both at the cowl and the grille.
You need to "rotate" the fender, not simply raise it.

[busmania]

Makes sense kube. Because I kind of already had it together I did not elongate any holes yet as per your article but will do so to get it closer to "perfect.". appreciate all the help!

[Krylon32]

Really like my 40 standard coupe and everything sheet metal wise is good except for that pesky right rear hood corner being a little high. The bottom edge of the hood going forward is against the rubber bump stops. I'm sure there's a way to remedy this my the 2 old car body shops I use don't want to give it a try. I'm actually getting used to it but?

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by busmania

Made lots of progress last night! With the advice of my friends here (y’all) and the help of my friend me ratchet strap to help pull and hold it in place, I got much closer! Not perfect yet but close enough to get on with an alignment and my rest drive around the block. Here’s some photos.

My only issue now is the passenger side fender needs to come up about 1/4” at the front. As you work toward the back of the front passenger fender it straightens out. How do I raise this side slightly?

[JayChicago]

Originally Posted by Krylon32

Really like my 40 standard coupe and everything sheet metal wise is good except for that pesky right rear hood corner being a little high. The bottom edge of the hood going forward is against the rubber bump stops.

Kube should jump in here if I am wrong.
The hinge assembly can be rotated to get a slight adjustment. (very slight if holes have not been elongated) To get the back of the complicated hinge assembly and hood lower, rotate hinge so front of hinge goes up, which will lower back of hinge assembly. IIRC, there are three bolts holding hinge to body, one thru side of cowl accessed from inside the car. With those bolts loosened, I think you could rotate the hinge with hood still on the car. But good chance the slight movement available won't be enough to solve the problem.

[Kube]

Jay has this spot on correct.
One thing I dare add... if the hood sticks out (away from the cowl) then you mat attempt to sand the rubber bumper down a bit. Before doing that, remove the bumper and see how things fit.

I align all of the sheet metal without any rubber bumpers in place. I place the bumpers in after alignment and sand them according to need.

[busmania]

Good point jay. I did have to enlarge the holes on the rear hinge (and yep, 2 bolts through cowl on engine side, one stud inside the car) ever so slightly to get the back of the hood to sit at the same height as the cowl.

[Conrad Rossi]

Beautiful car!

[Westernswede]

Bus, these things are old and the parts have been removed or replaced countless time for the most part. If your hood is giving you problems, it could be racked and out of square. Take it off and have a real good look at it. The hinges could be a big part of fitment as well but I would think the hood is tweeked.

[busmania]

Thanks Conrad. It’s fun to work on that’s for sure!

Thanks westernswede. The hood is pretty straight. The rear hinges are new which was a big help. Everything g is pretty straight now but I could be happier if the fenders were about 1/8” higher. For now, it’s close enough. I want to get it on the road then worry about the smaller details (like perfect body alignment).

Drove her around the block today so that’s cool!

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[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by busmania

Thanks Conrad. It’s fun to work on that’s for sure!

Thanks westernswede. The hood is pretty straight. The rear hinges are new which was a big help. Everything g is pretty straight now but I could be happier if the fenders were about 1/8” higher. For now, it’s close enough. I want to get it on the road then worry about the smaller details (like perfect body alignment). Drove her around the block today so that’s cool!

Good Job!!!