67 Coupe Panel Alignment HELP!

[gtstang8706]

Hey Guys,

I recently took on the daunting task of restoring a 1967 Mustang coupe. Its been a lot of fun, and certainly a lot of thinking. I have the interior complete and have begun working on the body. I stripped the car, replaced the bad panels etc, but the one thing that I cant seem to figure out is aligning the panels. Especially the doors. I adjust the hinges and get everything looking good, then when I move to the next adjustment it looks like crap again! Its extremely aggrevating! Any help or suggestions on this would be much appreciated! Thanks in advance!

 

[bartl]

Adjust your doors front/rear and up/down at the door pillar to hinge first to get the correct alignment and gaps at the door jamb and along the bottom, then in/out at top and bottom at the door to hinge. Install the fender next and shim at the cowl to get the proper in/out adjustment to match the door.

 

[robbz28]

Any of those panels aftermarket? They don't hardly line up at all...even the good ones give fits. Sometimes you may have to find a happy medium and live with it. I have a dynacorn door on my passenger side and it fits OK...but the dynacorn door, along with an aftermarket front fender, made for a really bad fit (in my opinion, most people tell me they don't notice it). I have read about lots of guys having the same problem with their dynacorn door about the bottom rear being too far out, they would have to notch the door and roll the bottom in a little to make it fit...i said screw it and left it on. Anyway, just like posted earleir, start at the door jamb, leave all the bolts loose except for one on the hinges at all adjustment points, and just take your time. You might want to get some paint sticks and tape them to the bottom of the sill or to the jamb to keep your gap uniform. Just an idea.

 

[65fastbackresto]

Just fyi, from my very limited exp on this topic, I highly suggest an extra pair of hands, this is next to impossible with one person trying to do it all. I have burnt lots of hours trying this by myself, and this will drive you nuts without help. I`m pretty sure 2 guys can do this in about 10% of the time 1 guy can. This is the most frustrating part of my restoration yet.

 

[bartl]

They make a sweet one man door adjusting tool that attaches to both the latch and striker..http://compare.ebay.com/like/390371408892?_lwgsi=y&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar