1980 Body Question
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Anderson Indiana
1980 Body Question
Hi, I have purchased a 1980 L82 corvette that has been sitting for the past 16 years. The body is in really good shape, but on the passenger side, the gap in the rear of the door is about 1/2" at the top. The bottom gap looks good and the drivers side door looks good. Can a bad body mount cause this or where should I look?
Thanks.....
Thanks.....
Pro
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 672
Likes: 0
From: Chesapeake Virginia
a missing body mount MAY cause it but I doubt a bad one would, usually they are all the same age and "squish" about the same amount all the way around. I'd check the frame on the passanger side, especially around the kick-up in the back.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Anderson Indiana
I have looked at the frame and cannot find anywhere that looks bad, but the rear passenger side of the body is definately down a little bit. Tomorrow I will measure from the floor to the frame on both sides at differnt points and see if they are the same. When I bought the car I did notice the gap in the door but figured maybe a body mount, but since I have been working on it I started wondering, so I did re-inspect the frame really good and I visually cannot see any breaks, cracks, or rot in it. I will post what I find out when I measure the frame to garage floor.... Thanks for the insight and I will keep you posted....
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Anderson Indiana
Sorry that it took me a few days to respond, my Mother has been in the hospital and I have been basically camping out there. Anyways, I measured the frame in a couple of different places and it measures the same on both sides. I measured the body at the rear spoiler and it measures the same from side to side, so I am still trying to figure out the gap.... Anymore suggestions? Thanks....
Racer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 353
Likes: 3
From: cincinnati oh
many restorers fill in around doors, hood, and trunk lid, then route them out to make the gaps exact. gotta know what you're doing, but I guess that's why they make the big bucks. most body shops could clean up the back edge for you.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 987
Likes: 7
From: Surrey British Columbia
I'd forget the body mounts. Check the metal bushings in the door hinges. My driver's side door was rubbing on the bottom rear corner whenever I closed the door. I checked the hinges and found Bubba had used non-O.E.M. bushings in the hinges and they were all smashed. The door was sagging because of the looseness around the hinge pins.