Tweaking DOORS on a 69 camaro

[toofun]

I am not a body guy but I need to tweak my doors on my 69 so the gaps line up better. Anyone able to tell me the tricks to tweak in the doors so they will line up better. I know alot of it is robbing pete to pay paul on these old cars but I need a good starting point on what effects the up and down side to side and what not. Any help would be appreciated...

Mark
TOOFUN

[Scott Norris]

Align with rockers and quarters first.If the doors are empty dont hesitate to twist them diagonally to help make them fit.get them as close as you can,then you might have to weld or grind the edges to make them perfect if thats what your after.

[jackreggers]

There's lots of ways to do the project. I just did a 67 Camaro and think I'll just pay someone next time. Anyway, one of the simple ways to get a consist gap is to use flat paint sticks for panel alignment. For doors, you use them in the door jams and on the rockers to set consistent gaps and protect the paint. Cut them to size and stack or sand to get the gap you need. Double or triple tape the heck out of everything in the jam and near the door frame. Then tape the paint sticks or paint stick bundles in place all around the door frame. Square the door to the rear and bottom (rocker) and align the door with the top ridge on the rear quarter panel. Tighen the bolts and then you'll have your first indication of how much more work you'll have to do. Put the fenders back on. If needed, use u-shaped spacers to move the door hinges outward (hinge to body) to align with the cowl panel/fender lines. Use spacers between the door hinge and door to move the door forward and backward (and make the gap bigger/smaller or just right. Then do it about a dozen more times until you hit the combo that makes you happy. At some point, you'll decide if you need to weld, grind or live with it. Once you get it right (or give up), drill two locator holes throught each hinge so you can remove and replace the doors without re-fitting headaches. I used small nails for pins and a drill guide to get a tight fit. Remember to use the tape and paint sticks on each re-install to quickly locate the door and prevent new paint dings when you bolt the fitted door back on. There's a few more steps to fit the fenders and door latchs. Check the camaros.net site for a bunch of info door and panel fitting. Once you go through the process, you'll have a whole new appreciation for those cars with the arrow straight gaps at car the car shows.

Jack