front body panel alignment
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 241
Likes: 1
From: Axton va
front body panel alignment
i have looked at a lot of c3 pictures while working on mine,and the headlights and hood just never fits well on these things do they? 90% of the cars i have looked at online and at car shows they just don't align the way they should. im sure if enough time is put into the car everything will fit flush,like on mine with the head light,i got them to fit all pretty and flush with an even gap all the way around and BAM! 
wont open with out grabbing the body. and from the looks of it in order to get the hood to fit pretty the front clip may have to be cut loose and repositioned, then that throws off the doors 
at what point do you say poo on it that's close enough? 
wont open with out grabbing the body. and from the looks of it in order to get the hood to fit pretty the front clip may have to be cut loose and repositioned, then that throws off the doors at what point do you say poo on it that's close enough?
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 427
Likes: 1
I think the AIM manual or a Chilton gives the desired measurements for clearance.
I trial fitted all of my openings, hood, H/L doors, door gaps and was pleased with the results. I personally would not cut the front clip unless it was off before and the cause of all your problems.
If the doors fit the 1/4 and front fender edges, leave the clip. Start splitting hairs for the best results.
Good luck to you.
I trial fitted all of my openings, hood, H/L doors, door gaps and was pleased with the results. I personally would not cut the front clip unless it was off before and the cause of all your problems.
If the doors fit the 1/4 and front fender edges, leave the clip. Start splitting hairs for the best results.
Good luck to you.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,705
Likes: 983
From: Orlando FL
You`re right that it does take time! I`ve adjusted mine several times. I think it came out pretty good.... at least I`m happy with it. I also had an issue with the lights, but it was hitting the flap that hides them, and the grills causing the problem. By adjusting the headlight doors back a little, it helped a lot. (They were too far forward anyway).
Just keep at it, and you`ll get it eventually.
Keep in mind also, what a neighbor told me years ago about classic cars....
"Back in the 60s and 70s, these things never lined up even from the factory, because they were just slapping them together and shoving them out the door. Now people are trying to restore them, and make them perfect, but they were never perfect to begin with!"
http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/s...psc4f3e8e7.jpg
Just keep at it, and you`ll get it eventually.
Keep in mind also, what a neighbor told me years ago about classic cars....
"Back in the 60s and 70s, these things never lined up even from the factory, because they were just slapping them together and shoving them out the door. Now people are trying to restore them, and make them perfect, but they were never perfect to begin with!"
http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/s...psc4f3e8e7.jpg
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
