Body Panel Alignment

[Mr44666]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone here knows of any good internet articles or magazine articles on aligning all of the body panels. My car is completely stripped down right now, and getting ready for paint after the cowl comes back together. I would like to do this the best way possible.
I was also considering having the car towed to a frame shop to have all of the dimensions checked and pulled if necessary. Is there any way that I can check myself to see if it would be worthwhile? As far as I can tell it has never been in a accident.

The car is a 68' cougar BTW, but this stuff should be the same as Mustang.

Thanks
-Dave

 

[John Z]

Best I've found is at http://www.autobodystore.com/ms1.htm
By the way, while you are there click on the classroom icon at the top of the page to get on the trail of other great articles. The discussion group on that you can go to from the classroom page has about the best autobody and paint information on the web.
HTH

 

[Mr44666]

I have been there many times and looked over everything, it is a great site but I was hoping to find more specific information for our cars.

Thanks
-DAve

 

[SuperDave]

Panel alignment is something that patience and experimentation best achieves. The doors are done first and everthing forward follows. Be sure the door hinges are in good condition even if it means rebuilding or replacing them. Good hood hinges are critical also.

Much depends on how well the car way aligned before it was disassembled. Proper alignment requires "trial and error" experiments in which pieces are trial fitted before final assembly. Often compromises must be made because these cars were never "perfect" in the first place. For example, I fitted my doors by using wooden doweling to equalize the gaps before I bolted them down. The same idea was used on other pieces. It require patience but it was well worth the effort. Having previous experience in this process was very helpful.

I believe this is best done by the owner/builder because no shop will be as critical of the result. My son and did a '67 "Cat" GT and it turned out beatifully. The shop and assembly manuals from Ford were very helpful.

Good luck!

 

[Mr44666]

Thanks SD and tips on checking the door hinges. I took the door in both hands and felt for movement or looseness, I didn't feel anything.

-Dave