Fenders different size? Valance won't fit properly

[chaos52]

One fender is about 1/2" taller than the other. So, the gap between the bumper and the valance is wacked. One side is 1/2" the other is 1"

As illustrated, I measured from the corner of the fender where it meets the hood to the corner than connects with the valance. I have 4 different fenders and they all measure differently - ranging from 17.5" to 18.25". See photos for clarification.

Has anyone seen this before? Do you have an easy fix to get an even gap between the valance and bumper?

[Indygenerallee]

little pushing and prying..

[fy469rtse]

AMD fender, ? It's the same thing I was trying to warn Mitch about , the bottom of the fenders don't seem to have the same folds as originals , and not all of them are like this , I slit mine where you couldn't see it at the join in line with the fold or body line, bolted everything up and manipulated , worked it to fit and then removed it and mig welded where I had slit it,, worst part mine was painted so it will be back for touch up to this area,
Yours looks exactely how mine fitted at first

[chaos52]

little pushing and prying..

I've already spent many hours doing that 

AMD fender, ? It's the same thing I was trying to warn Mitch about , the bottom of the fenders don't seem to have the same folds as originals , and not all of them are like this , I slit mine where you couldn't see it at the join in line with the fold or body line, bolted everything up and manipulated , worked it to fit and then removed it and mig welded where I had slit it,, worst part mine was painted so it will be back for touch up to this area,
Yours looks exactely how mine fitted at first

That's the weird thing, they're all factory fenders. The car in the photo is not mine. I just used it for illustration purposes.

I've tried cutting and bending things around, but can't get it to work. The contours of the valance and the fenders line up perfectly (unlike in the photo). The problem is that when it's bolted together, one side of the valance is 1/2" higher than the other side.

I think I'm going to end up just putting the valance where it needs to be, then welding different tabs on the fenders. (when the gap between the valance and the bumper is correct the holes don't line up anymore) Of course then the contours between the valance and the fenders aren't going to be right, but bondo will fix that. 

[Dino]

I am sorry to say that those variables were normal.  Not acceptable by today's standards but back then..oh well.

There is no easy fix.  As you know, you can tweak the panels a bit to get the best overall fit, but with those discrepancies you are looking at cutting and welding. 

What I do is start by fitting the doors to the quarter, rocker and cowl.  I tweak and cut and weld if needed to get them perfect.  Once those are in place I bolt the fenders on and tweak the line at the doors, rockers and cowl.  Then I put the hood in place and tweak it again until all lines up.  Wherever something does not fit I do some custom work.  The valance goes on last and is the easiest to tweak.  There is no point in bolting all the parts on and trying to tweak all of it, it'll drive you nuts.  One panel at a time with a clear mind and a good set of eyes.  Take plenty breaks or you'll end up staring into space a lot.

[chaos52]

I am sorry to say that those variables were normal.  Not acceptable by today's standards but back then..oh well.

There is no easy fix.  As you know, you can tweak the panels a bit to get the best overall fit, but with those discrepancies you are looking at cutting and welding. 

What I do is start by fitting the doors to the quarter, rocker and cowl.  I tweak and cut and weld if needed to get them perfect.  Once those are in place I bolt the fenders on and tweak the line at the doors, rockers and cowl.  Then I put the hood in place and tweak it again until all lines up.  Wherever something does not fit I do some custom work.  The valance goes on last and is the easiest to tweak.  There is no point in bolting all the parts on and trying to tweak all of it, it'll drive you nuts.  One panel at a time with a clear mind and a good set of eyes.  Take plenty breaks or you'll end up staring into space a lot.

Yeah, that's the exact sequence of alignments I've done. doors -> fenders -> hood -> valance.

Thanks for the confirmation on the factory size variances. I was beginning to wonder if I was nuts. 

I'm planning to work on it more tonight. We'll see how it goes....

[maxwellwedge]

Also.....before any resto of my cars is started I always put them on a frame machine. Never had one yet that didn't need a little yank here, a pull there...usually around the front frame horns. Had one that was out almost 3" from one side to the other.

[Dino]

Also.....before any resto of my cars is started I always put them on a frame machine. Never had one yet that didn't need a little yank here, a pull there...usually around the front frame horns. Had one that was out almost 3" from one side to the other.

Holy crap!!  If you find a discrepancy like that on a modern car it will be declared totaled.  What kinda jigs did they use back then?  Paper mache? 

[maxwellwedge]

Haha - I think that one probably had a love tap early in life. Truth is - after 40+ years......things can bend a little...

Haven't had one on a frame machine yet that was spot on. It sure as heck makes life easier when lining up panels....some just fall into place.

[chaos52]

Also.....before any resto of my cars is started I always put them on a frame machine. Never had one yet that didn't need a little yank here, a pull there...usually around the front frame horns. Had one that was out almost 3" from one side to the other.

I wish I would have had that option when I replaced the frame rail on this car.

[fy469rtse]

yep , i feel your pain , must have played around with mine for at least a day to get it right ,
when the frustration sets in walk away, come back to it with a fresh mind , 

[chaos52]

Got it fixed!

Had to slice the driver's fender along the red line, bend it down and re-weld it. The body line will need to be recreated with glass/bondo. I also had to weld a new tab on the inside to bolt to.

The passenger's side fit together with a bit of hammering and bending.

[fy469rtse]

That looks good , lucky your at that stage and before paint ,
Looks like it ooo a bit of work , but looks like you got the skills, it would have bugged you later if you hadn't fixed it properly now
good job , better fit than factory

[green69rt]

AMD fender, ? It's the same thing I was trying to warn Mitch about , the bottom of the fenders don't seem to have the same folds as originals , and not all of them are like this , I slit mine where you couldn't see it at the join in line with the fold or body line, bolted everything up and manipulated , worked it to fit and then removed it and mig welded where I had slit it,, worst part mine was painted so it will be back for touch up to this area,
Yours looks exactely how mine fitted at first

Yeap, that's exactly what I'm going thru now.  The amount of work to get them to mate up cleanly and well it more than expected.  It really takes some time and thought.  Don't get discouraged, just keep on plugging away.  Geoff has it pegged, or did you run into the same problem (Geoff)??

It looks like you had to fix the corner where the fender and valance meet, looks like I need the same.

[Dino]

Good job!   

Don't get discouraged doing the metal work.  The payoff when done is priceless.  Some of you may find that metal work actual becomes the fun part.   

[fy469rtse]

Yes I did Mitch, one of the things I mentioned for you to check,  have a refit of those tail lights for me , buckets weren't are great fit from factory and the aftermarket horrible, I wished I had checked my housing taillight fitment, put them in like its been painted , fastened them up with seals,
That front valance fit seems to be common , I'm glad you noticed and this will be fixed before paint.