Front sheet metal alignment with DSE subframe
 

I remember reading a forum post or magazine feature on one of Stielow's builds in which he stated that he needed to trim .200" off his DSE core support mounts to get the sheet metal to line up right with the DSE subframe. I hung the metal on my car before I read that and I am now curious after looking at the gaps on mine if I should trim the mounts? The fender will not pull back enough to touch the rocker panel and the gap narrows as it goes up to the top of the fender. All of the parts are either original or NOS and I had none of these issues with the car during the restoration 20 years ago with the factory subframe and rubber mounts.

Has anyone else run into this?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

I can't answer your question but I have had the same issue on the LH side of my car; or one similar, the top of the fender is touching the bottom of the a-pillar and the bottom has a fair sized gap. Sounds like it could be the same issue. The fenders are original and have not been tweaked.

If you do not want to cut core support you can start by adding small spacers or round shims at the front subframe mounts below firewall,an 1/8" spacer goes along way in tightening that gap.

Thanks for the suggestion. Adding the spacer at the body is reversible and should accomplish the same thing

It sounds like the car may have had some dukes of hazard action at one time, forcing the cowl mounts upwards? just and idea, I have had to jack cars up under the rocker say aprox front seat area and then tighten lower fender bolt. I also would look closely at any pictures you have before you disassembled car to verify gaps with factory subframe, I hate to use shims but that is how they would have done it at the factory,

no issues for me

No Dukes of Hazard action at least since the restoration. The car's was on a frame rack to verify with the stock subframe.

Everything went together just fine when the car was all stock. Might try your trick along with loosening the subframe bolts.