1st gen door gap to quarter

[bdahlg68]

So as I fight with the gap between the cheap rear quarters and rough doors, I'm wondering if this in fact a super critical gap? I can get the gap pretty darn straight, but a bit large. Given the chance to weld a small rod to door or quarter, do I really need to be overly concerned with the size of the gap? All other seams line up pretty nicely. Any help / guidance would be appreciated!

[68protouring454]

i like to keep the majority or body work on the quarter, so the doors dont get thick.
I would leave gap a tad wide if you have to, then slit quarter a 1/4 inch back from gap and push towards door to tighten gap to were you want it, then if slit isnt too large just tig it up or shear small slivers of sheetmetal and weld in and metal finish. remember, the skim coat of filler, primer etc will add up.

[Rick D]

^^^^ yup what Jake said if the gaps a really big then cut the qtr and move that. If you just need a little then I will add (at the most) 1/16 rod to the door but this is just to dial in the gap. As far as critical on the door gap yes it can be depending on what color you are going to paint the car. Some colors will make the gap look much bigger then it really is. One thing to keep in mind is if the fender gap is nice and tight and the door to qtr is bigger then it could end up looking bigger because they are not the same.

Also make sure that if you are doing the gaps that you have all the panels on, in place bolted tight. I've seen guys gap the doors to the qtrs and then put the fenders on only to find out that the door or qtr are now to tight and all the work they did to make that gap has to be undone!! Also put some weight in the doors to make up for the glass and window regulators and door panels. Those items have a lot more weight then you think. Just some food for thought

[bdahlg68]

Thanks guys. Door gaps aren't terrible. 1/16th may be all I need, maybe 1/8th. But, I forgot to add earlier, the doors are pushed all the way rearward. As long as the fender gap isn't zero or ginormous, I've got some play there. Not building a show car, but don't want it to look like a hack job either. In my amature opinion the body lines look good. Going to tape them and check again. If all looks good then I may call it good and spit the quarter later on if I have to.

[aany001]

those r some good pointers! anyone know what a door glass and door panel weigh? wanna put some weight in the doors to establish my body lines.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

Originally Posted by aany001

those r some good pointers! anyone know what a door glass and door panel weigh? wanna put some weight in the doors to establish my body lines.

If you are still in the body work stage you can forgo that step till after it gets jammed.