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Setting Panel Gaps

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M

mylesw

Jedi Hopeful
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Hello

Getting to that stage now where I'm going to mount the body back on the frame to set the panel gaps before the car is painted. My question is this - is it advised to set the panel gaps with the engine (4 cyl) and gearbox in the car or does it not matter?

Thanks for your help.

Myles
 
....not sure,...but as I just finish aligning my doors on my TR3,looked real good , then painting, then peeling the paint when I opened the doors,then fainting,....give yourself a little extra gap.
 
Hi Guys
I always used a rubber squeegee. You can get them in a few thicknesses that best suites your build. Even at a 1/16 build up from paint and clear , keep in mind that times two for each adjoining panel. So a gap can close pretty quick.
 
Myles, Yes, it is best to have all the major /heavy components in place when aligning body panals. But it's not drop dead critical.
Remember you can use shims between the body and frame to resolve door gap issues, and also fit all panals before doing final adjustments. It stinks getting the doors spot on with the front fenders, only to find that you cant get the bonnett to line up.
Also remember that the frame on TRs is flexable. do give yourself a little extra gap twards the top of the doors to accomidate any sag when you have people loaded in the car.
 
OK, got the body back on the frame so I can do the trial fit of the panels. Everything is lining up pretty well except for the rear right fender. What's the method for closing this gap? Already got two aluminum spacers under the rear of the car on this side...

Also, is it me, or does the front valance look like it's not straight..?

Thanks for your help.

Myles
 

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From what I can see I think that it's you not the valence. Do that to myself all the time.

Tinkerman
 
Myles-

Looking good. Can't tell on the valence, but you probably can check by some careful measures relative to the frame. Your passenger side looks a tad high perhaps? I would measure both valence and frame height as with your new suspension things may not be level in general.

I think I spot my old bonnet in the back there - if you aren't using it I may be a potential buyer again as I've been pulling apart the project TR4 and it doesn't look too bad yet!


Randy
 
rlandrum said:
TR6BILL said:
How ya gonna line them up without the fender in place?
Click to expand...

I'm glad I wasn't the only one thinking that.

Maybe he meant the gap on the bottom?
Click to expand...


Maybe the fender is fitted and is out of shot to the left and it's that very large gap that he,s worried about!!
 
mylesw said:
Also, is it me, or does the front valance look like it's not straight..?
Click to expand...

It does look like it's high on the driver side. I drew some straight lines on Paint and it does look like it's few inches high. The front of the frame looks straight but the shell looks a lttle crooked. Here's the pic with the lines I drew. Maybe it's just the way the pic was taken.


valance.jpg
 
Excellent illustration on the picture, but I still say thats the passenger side - I think Myles is still converting this one to right hand drive!

Myles - if you find you need to reposition the valence, you are welcome to test out my Hobart Mig setup I just picked up to attempt floorpan work. I have no idea what I'm doing with it yet though.

Randy
 
TR4nut said:
Excellent illustration on the picture, but I still say thats the passenger side - I think Myles is still converting this one to right hand drive!

Myles - if you find you need to reposition the valence, you are welcome to test out my Hobart Mig setup I just picked up to attempt floorpan work. I have no idea what I'm doing with it yet though.

Randy
Click to expand...

Randy, as you know, I did that last year (replace floorboards, in situ). I have a few pitfalls if you need them.
 
TR6BILL said:
Randy, as you know, I did that last year (replace floorboards, in situ). I have a few pitfalls if you need them.
Click to expand...

If one of the pitfalls is "don't do it", I already thought of that one but now have quite a bit of money in it! Actually, I'll take any advice you can give. If by pitfall you mean something I physically use when welding then I can show off my noviceness by not knowing what they are yet.

I won't be cutting for a while yet, I'm still pulling panels and seeing if I want to go through with it. The drivers side A post looked a lot better than I anticipated, though, and that's the side with most of the trouble.

Randy
 
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