#1  
Old 10-19-2020, 04:05 PM
Tarl Tarl is offline
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Default Door gap question

Hi All,

I am looking to purchase a 68 firebird, the one I am looking at looks to have a large door gap issue. Not being a body expert, can someone take a peek at this and let me know if it's just a door alignment issue, or something more nefarious?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQphMf17vH0

Thanks, appreciate it!

  #2  
Old 10-19-2020, 04:24 PM
Tarl Tarl is offline
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I think in that video the door is slightly open as well, here is a picture of the car with the door completely shut.
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Old 10-19-2020, 06:33 PM
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Most likely just a fender & door alignment issue. I wouldn't read too much into what is seen of the driver's door in the video since the door is actually open. You can't really judge door gaps if the door is open. The door does look out of alignment in the photo you posted above however.

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  #4  
Old 10-19-2020, 07:09 PM
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Thanks, there is definitely a gap at the bottom rear of the drivers side door. I am just wondering if someone more familiar can tell if it can be adjusted more or is it just really effed up. I added some more pics I got from the inspector.

its a reproduction door from 2014 so I am unsure how bad the issues were with those.

If anyone knows I would appreciate it.

Thanks!

  #5  
Old 10-19-2020, 07:11 PM
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Sorry, picture didn't add in my last reply.
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Old 10-19-2020, 08:19 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tarl View Post
Thanks, there is definitely a gap at the bottom rear of the drivers side door. I am just wondering if someone more familiar can tell if it can be adjusted more or is it just really effed up. I added some more pics I got from the inspector.

its a reproduction door from 2014 so I am unsure how bad the issues were with those.

If anyone knows I would appreciate it.

Thanks!
Yes you can adjust the door. Normally you adjust the door to the quarter panel, and then the front fender to the door....but then you can start affecting other things like bumper alignment etc.

Also, these cars weren't always perfect out of the factory. Maybe not a good example....but I am working on a 78 Chevy truck right now, and with all factory parts being used, the passenger door fits great, but the drivers side is another story and is needing lots of work to fit.

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Old 10-19-2020, 10:03 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ID67goat View Post
Also, these cars weren't always perfect out of the factory.
I'll echo that sentiment. 1960s GM was in the business of making money, not achieving perfection. Cars were slapped together and kicked down the assembly line. I'm in the process of test fitting the doors and front clip on my '66 GTO project, and it has been challenging to say the least - all was going well until I got to the passenger fender. It's tough if not impossible to get everything lined up truly perfectly.

From what I can see of this Firebird, it looks like the bottom of the door needs to come in a bit at the rear quarter panel (which is where you should start with panel alignment), but that will impact the alignment with the fender, and so on down the stream you go. Or it's possible that it might be caused by the door sagging a bit, either due to a worn hinge, misaligned hinge, or misaligned striker. Could be any of those things, or a combination of more than one.

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Old 10-20-2020, 12:52 PM
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Thanks, appreciate the responses,

I think I am going to go for it and hope it's not some rear quarter issue, bad since it's already painted.

  #9  
Old 10-20-2020, 02:23 PM
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My first thought by your last pictures was the door needs to come out at the front to line up with the rocker.

But that wouldn't help at all to line up the quarter panel, there is definitely a issue at the lower door and quarter.

In frame 2.17 of the video it looks like you could maybe adjust the fender out a bit at the top, "hood gap".

Pull the door out to the fender, then pull the striker in a bit, that would help.




Frank

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Last edited by 4zpeed; 10-20-2020 at 03:08 PM.
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Old 10-21-2020, 08:28 AM
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Hard to imagine that he would do such a meticulous walk-around video and leave the door open. Wonder if he was trying to mask the gap?
Doesn't look terrible but definitely has a little too much gap at the bottom. Use it as a bartering point.

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Old 10-21-2020, 11:11 AM
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Looks like the bottom of the door needs to be moved in a touch and then the fender to match

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  #12  
Old 10-21-2020, 12:17 PM
Tarl Tarl is offline
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Thanks for the hints.

In the pre-paint picture of the car the door looks like it lined up to the rear quarter fairly well.
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Old 10-21-2020, 12:21 PM
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I would just ask the guy about it. Tell him your concern about the door alignment and see what the story is.

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Old 10-21-2020, 12:35 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg Reid View Post
Wonder if he was trying to mask the gap?
No Doubt.


What'a hell? It's perfect in that pic... "Doesn't look terrible", but would look way worse in person.
Edit - He had issues lining up the front clip and had to move it. There is no doubt there either...






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Last edited by 4zpeed; 10-21-2020 at 12:46 PM.
  #15  
Old 10-22-2020, 07:51 AM
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Kinda makes me cringe to see that oil bottle sitting on that primered trunk lid.

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  #16  
Old 10-22-2020, 09:34 PM
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Ooo me too! Lol fish eye city. Already mentioned but I bet after paint he had problems realigning everything. I measure averything when I disassemble after pre paint alignment, core support height from the frame horns and also side to side on the core support. I also label and bag all shims as well as adding alignment holes on everything I can. Makes a huge difference when reassembly time xomes

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  #17  
Old 10-29-2020, 02:24 PM
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Well, I bit the bullet, it's in my stable now. Guess I will be learning how to align body panels, hopefully it won't be too painful. Just in time for winter in Boston.
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Old 10-29-2020, 04:04 PM
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Congrats!

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Old 10-29-2020, 09:07 PM
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Nice! Were expecting mixed snow on Cape cod tommorow.

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  #20  
Old 10-30-2020, 09:49 AM
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Quote:
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Nice! Were expecting mixed snow on Cape cod tommorow.
Excellent, I came down to Truro for the weekend to close up my condo, it's really lovely weather here!

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