Fastback Hatch Gap?

[walksinshadow]

Need help here. What is the best/correct gap along the top and sides of the fastback hatch. Whoever messed with it last (probably me heheh) appears to have gotten it wrong. Thanks for any help.

Also is there a best way to remove the hatch glass? (planning to take the hatch off to fix it up a bit around the edges and sanding around glass is not good imo)

 

[LXXVICOBRA]

I've often wondered if welding the whole damn thing shut wouldn't be such a bad idea!

In any case, I imagine it's surely going to take a certain amount of trial and error which would likely include making adjustments to the latch mechanism as well, in order to get it just right. Clearly, doing this without the glass installed (and a helper) would be the way to go. While most II's have some issues with panel alignment in general from the factory, I'd suspect that it's also quite possible that a previous owner has already swapped out the hatch at some point, which might only compound the problem.

 

[walksinshadow]

agreed on your points. Still though i "think" about 1/4 inch gap seems to be the norm, i was just hoping someone might know what best worked for them. The car appears to be straight since i have never had any issues with it. So any ideas or suggestions for gap along the top would be appreciated.

 

[dmoody]

I've often wondered if welding the whole damn thing shut wouldn't be such a bad idea!

Me too! I think about the advantages *a lot*:
1) You could smooth the transition from the quarter to the lid.
2) Wouldn't have to worry about those shocks that don't work very well or the rubber gasket.
3) Much easier to paint.
4) It would *never* rattle.

Disadvantages:
1) Spoiler.. what to do with it?
2) Couldn't access that area as easily.

As far as gaps.. 3/8" is what most newer cars shoot for. However the hatchback lid on my car had huge gaps at both the top and bottom. Honestly I've never seen a hatchback II with reasonable gaps in that area.

david

 

[LXXVICOBRA]

agreed on your points. Still though i "think" about 1/4 inch gap seems to be the norm, i was just hoping someone might know what best worked for them. The car appears to be straight since i have never had any issues with it. So any ideas or suggestions for gap along the top would be appreciated.

It would seem to me, that getting the gap "even" all around, would be what you would be striving for in an ideal world....regardless of what the final gap measurement actually was. You have to work with the hatch and opening you have, which may vary a bit from car to car. I do believe however, that the gap may need to be a bit larger on top than the sides if anything, in order for it to open and close properly. It doesn't take a lot of "misadjustment" one way or the other, in order for it to get way out of sync.

 

[LXXVICOBRA]

Me too! I think about the advantages *a lot*:
1) You could smooth the transition from the quarter to the lid.
2) Wouldn't have to worry about those shocks that don't work very well or the rubber gasket.
3) Much easier to paint.
4) It would *never* rattle.

Disadvantages:
1) Spoiler.. what to do with it?
2) Couldn't access that area as easily.

As far as gaps.. 3/8" is what most newer cars shoot for. However the hatchback lid on my car had huge gaps at both the top and bottom. Honestly I've never seen a hatchback II with reasonable gaps in that area.

david

Glad to know I'm not the only one who has this thought! I always thought that it might add some stuctural integrity to the car too.

In any case, I'm not sure why the spoiler would be an issue?

 

[THE COBRAMAN]

In my experience, the gap at the roof varies from big to HUGE! My '77 is about 1/2", and it's been that way since I got it. I think the tightest I've ever seen on a II is about 5/16 or so.

One point since Mike brought it up, be careful when buying new liftgate shocks, the ones cataloged at Autozone are a hair too long, and will allow the leading edge to contact the trough. I'm sure you can imagine how well that works with fresh paint

 

[dmoody]

Glad to know I'm not the only one who has this thought! I always thought that it might add some stuctural integrity to the car too.

Indeed, it would add lots of structural integrity to the car. It certainly
would help if you were ever rearended.

In any case, I'm not sure why the spoiler would be an issue?

The spoiler is an issue because of the gap between the end caps and the main part of the spoiler. It wouldn't look right if you smoothed the hatch out. You would have to fill that gap with something and I don't know of anything that bonds with plastic strongly enough. Also it might be impossible to remount the main part of the spoiler after you welded it shut. I know the two end nuts would be totally concealed. Anyway it is fun to think about it.

david

 

[Power Surge]

Another idea would be to weld in the hatch and glass area, and fabricate a small deck lid from the glass to the rear of the car. Sort of like the old 69 Charger 500 (which was used to make the Daytona) had. This way you'd have access to the immediate rear of the car and also spoiler mounting.

 

[Mustangj]

There is suposed to be a gap The original hatch on my II fit perfectly, but had a little rust. I got a used hatch off a "Southern Parts" dude at a swap meet. It had no rust but, no matter how you adjust it the gaps are too small. I gave up and figured the experts at the body shop could handle it. My body man is a perfectionist and the II almost gave him a nervious break-down. I calmed him down by showing him the Mustang II sales brochure, where not one car has proper gaps and worse, none of them have the same gaps! Ford's fit and finish was more then a little iffy in those days

 

[LXXVICOBRA]

There is suposed to be a gap The original hatch on my II fit perfectly, but had a little rust. I got a used hatch off a "Southern Parts" dude at a swap meet. It had no rust but, no matter how you adjust it the gaps are too small. I gave up and figured the experts at the body shop could handle it. My body man is a perfectionist and the II almost gave him a nervious break-down. I calmed him down by showing him the Mustang II sales brochure, where not one car has proper gaps and worse, none of them have the same gaps! Ford's fit and finish was more then a little iffy in those days

My point, exactly. Even this one isn't exactly perfect, but wow is this car ever nice regardless!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford...iewItemQQcategoryZ6236QQitemZ4569842191QQrdZ1

 

[Mustangj]

My point, exactly. Even this one isn't exactly perfect, but wow is this car ever nice regardless!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford...iewItemQQcategoryZ6236QQitemZ4569842191QQrdZ1

I am in love! Thankfully love is blind

An Acura Legend had perfect fit and finish, but it never got anyone laid