I can't seem to find an answer in the assembly manual, but I'm in the process of installing new aftermarket rear quarters on a 63 convertible and I'm trying to figure out whether I need to "center" the wheel well opening with the tire, which leaves me short on the rear lock pillar, (it still will attach to the lock pillar fine, I'll just have to fill the "gap") or mount it all the way forward so that the wheel well lip is snug against the splash guard, which throws it off center of the wheel. It's only about 3/4" either way. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks, Paul

 

Where does the rear of the fender line-up? If made correctly, the door lip should line-up. Sometime these parts are longer than needed, rather than short. I have an original bodied 63 coupe I could measure. Don't know why it wouldn't be the same or very close. Let me know by em or pm.

 

I'd line up the quarter with the tail light panel, as well as attach the bumper brackets and bumper. Make sure your door is where you want it and then fit the panel to see where you may need to trim.

don't forget to fit the rocker panel as well.

The wheel/trailing arm may be adjusted during alignment so that may be a false reference point unless you have the car aligned before fitting the panel. I'd reference from some points on the frame to judge the final position of the panel.

How short is short?

 

Thanks for the replies. It's not really that short, it's only about a 3/4" difference between centering with the wheel and putting the wheel well lip up against the front splash guard.

Centering with the wheel well, the quarter still attaches to the lock pillar with enough to "bite" it just leaves about a slight gap between the end of the quarter and the front edge of the lock pillar that would need to be filled.

Putting the lip of the quarter snug up against the front splash pan it throws the wheel well off center with the tire but fits fully on the lock pillar.

I wish it was as simple as lining it up with the tail light panel. The tail light panel is off also so I don't have any reference with any old body line. This is a project car that I'm trying to resurrect as a resto-mod. Any meaurements would be appreciated, such as the wheel well opening to the wheel (don't forget to let me know your tire size!) or maybe just check to see if the lip of the quarter is snug up against the front splash guard, if not then let me know that measurement.

Thanks! Paul

 

You might the get quarter in place and centered but the real problem comes when you try to attach your rear bumpers. If the angles of the tail light panel and quarter panel are not right you will never get a good fit on the bumpers and end up cracking the seam when you try to shim and tighten the bumper bolts. The bumpers will never fit flat against the panel as they should. At least bolt on the bumper brackets to make sure they set flat against the underside of the panel. Even so you still need to judge how far the panel need to toe in or out.

There is a lot of leeway where a panel in isolation may look to fit quite well but end up not aligning with the overall car. There is a saying that in order to get the bumpers straight you need the build the car around them.

Suggest you get a tail light panel and mock it up with the quarter as well as the bumpers and their brackets.

If you procede as planned get the rocker panel on and look at the space from the end of the panel to where the rocker panel starts. Some aftermarket metal rockers can be shorter than the originals. The originals may be a bit longer. The rocker panel would be expected to completely cover the lower fiberglass panels but you will find either end sticking out beyond the metal rocker panel and it varies from car to car. Figure what spacing is acceptable to your eye. Use that as your front to back position. But your shooting yourself in the foot unless you get a tail light panel at least screwd, bolted or clamped in place.

Also get a measurement from the peak of the fender to the lip of the well to make sure the quarter is set high enough.

Line the quarter's belt line with the door's belt line. If there is no door in place get one before you glue the quarter.

Somebody else's measurements may not work on your car.

The forward bumper bracket fits into a notch in the quarter panel. That would be close enough for at least one reference point.