Gap problems
 

I am working on a 69 camaro convertible. I am trying to line up the seams on the drivers side door. When the door is closed it touches the rear quarter panel (no gap). Its not overlapping, but it is touching. The front seam of the door is a little less than 1/2". I am also having an issue with the drivers side connection between the radiator support and fender. I can get it to fit, but it takes a little muscle. For the door it seems logical to move it forward until the front and rear seams are correct, however the door hinges prevent me from moving the door forward anymore. My two questions are....Can I manipulate the door hinges to move the door forward 3/16"? & Should all these body parts fit with ease, or is it common to use a little muscle to get them into place?

Pictures would help!

Has the car been wrecked pretty hard at one point in it's life? have you checked the rockers and floors? It almost sounds as if the car buckled under it's own weight.

How are the gaps between the bottoms of doors and the rockers? I would make sure the car's body and subframe is square before rigging anything up with sheetmetal

I will work on pictures... As for the car it has been in miner accidents. The gap along the rocker panel is large but square to the rocker, and the top of the door lines up with the top of the quarter panel. If it is due to a previous accident... what are my options? Is there a type of hydaulic ram to I could put in place of the door that will spread that section ?

Have you x measured the car to check for square? There are factory holes in the rad support and the cowl which you can reference. Have the door hinges holes been hogged out or are the hinges not tight?

I have x measured from the subframe not the radiator support. It was right on. Hinges are brand new. I got new hinges thinking the old ones were causing the problems.

First make sure the car is on level ground,then measure and check for squaresness subframe,rad support and unibody,you'll need extra set of hands and a tram gauge would be preferred .Also check the height of each frame rail and both rockers,not just at the ends ,but along full length.

Once you made sure the body and subframe is straight,check the hinges,if they have no play, try to adjust them, you may need to open up the bolt holes on hinges , keep weatherstrip on doors when adjusting gaps,it helps for better final fitment.

Once the doors are lined up with quarters and rockers,hang fenders and get them fitted with door's front edge ,you may need to bump,tweak the fender,add some shims maybe open up the bolt holes ,I would try to avoid later two if possible for cleaner look.

Good luck

EDIT: You have new hinges installed, that would be a start.

How are the floors? Is the car pretty solid or floors,cowl,e.t.c. had some rust issues?

I had a hell of a time getting mine to line up. I think I had to loosen the rad support and move that forward a bit, then the door came forward. You might need to work your hinges a little to get your door forward, thats cool. you gotta do what you gotta do. Keep at it and you will get it. It's worth it in the end.

make sure the body is level with no twist and preferably has the motor in it. If not, gapping a convertible camaro will drive you nuts. Start with the doors and work foward

Got it....... Before the car was dismantled, I noticed the same gap problem with the door. Today I found the old rusted fender I took off, I can see there was damage to it. So it has been hit on the drivers side front fender. When we got the car it was completely rusted out. Every piece of sheetmetal has been replaced except for the rockers, windshield frame, and the quarter panel supports. The quarter panels and tail pan went together without any problems. As for the floors and tunnel, we have made our own and tacked into place for now. I would imagine a body shop would be willing to come out and bring a tram gauge right? If it is determined that the front drivers side collision has caused my issues with the door seams...What next? Will they be able to open the space between my quarters and fenders with some kind of hydraulic ram so the door will fit better?