body fitting, continued ...

[mlewis]

All,

Made progress on my body fitment. Got the body align front-to-back and side-to-side via the front/back quick jack bolt. Using the "Kleiner method" for the back QJ bolts and trimmed the trunk lip and sides to set the front/back location to get the door lip to be about 1/4" in front the the striker plates. I am happy with the overall location but do have a of questions based on some observations.

There is a bit of a gap/bow on the body sides relative to the vertical tube/striker plates (a bit more on the DS vs the PS). This can pushed in but these is nothing to hold it there. Here's some pics:

140184140185

Is tis correct ?

I also noticed that the hood opening vs the DS hinge plate is flush but the hood opening vs the PS hood hinge plate has an overhang (about 1/2"). This despite the body side-to-side to the chassis being centered. Here' some pics:

140186 140187

Is this correct ?

Note I do have the body lifted about 3/4" at the radiator cross member.

I appreciated any/all input/guidance.

Mark

[j.miller]

When I fit the body the DS is aprox 1/4 in front of the striker tab and PS is "just" in front of the striker . Setting it up this way usually gets the body an even distance from the hood hinge mounting plates (really helps when it's time to mount the hood). Another thing you will find is that if you look through the quick jack holes you will see the DS body support needs to be moved aprox 1/2-3/4 towards the PS of car. ..da Bat

[mlewis]

Thanks for the input

So I should center the body to the frame in the front based on the hood opening to the hinge mounting plate ?

I centered the front of the body based on the distance from the fender flare and the respective shock mount ?

So it's OK to let the PS side float front to back relative to the PS door Stricker plate (i.e. to be less than 1/4: to flush) ?

Thanks again for the insight.

Mark

[CraigS]

The fit of the body at the side 'rocker panel' area will be determined when you start fitting the doors. You may remember that when you got the car FFR had two self tapping screws through the body and into the bottom of the 2x2 frame piece on each side. Usually it's a good idea to slot those holes in the fiberglass and use large fender washers so the body can be moved in and out relative to the door surface.

[j.miller]

The fit of the body at the side 'rocker panel' area will be determined when you start fitting the doors. You may remember that when you got the car FFR had two self tapping screws through the body and into the bottom of the 2x2 frame piece on each side. Usually it's a good idea to slot those holes in the fiberglass and use large fender washers so the body can be moved in and out relative to the door surface.


MK4 Craig. No side holes.....but thanks for playing.....call us back tomorrow for a chance to win a "Clogging" lesson with daBat…...oh hell, lets getterdone now 3,4,5,6, ""::""::""""::::)()()()(*&*&*&()()()^%$#$%^^.

[mlewis]

The fit of the body at the side 'rocker panel' area will be determined when you start fitting the doors.

Noted and my plan (trying to get the body gnerally aligned front-to-back / side-to-side)


Usually it's a good idea to slot those holes in the fiberglass and use large fender washers so the body can be moved in and out relative to the door surface.

Noted.


MK4 Craig. No side holes.....but thanks for playing.....call us back tomorrow for a chance to win a "Clogging" lesson with daBat…...oh hell, lets getterdone now 3,4,5,6, ""::""::"""":::()()()(*&*&*&()()()^%$#$%^^

Huh ?

So know on answers my questions ?

So I should center the body to the frame in the front based on the hood opening to the hinge mounting plate ?

I centered the front of the body based on the distance from the fender flare and the respective shock mount ?

So it's OK to let the PS side float front to back relative to the PS door Stricker plate (i.e. to be less than 1/4: to flush) ?

Any input is greatly appreciated.

[egchewy79]

Noted and my plan (trying to get the body gnerally aligned front-to-back / side-to-side)



Noted.



Huh ?

So know on answers my questions ?

So I should center the body to the frame in the front based on the hood opening to the hinge mounting plate ?

I centered the front of the body based on the distance from the fender flare and the respective shock mount ?

So it's OK to let the PS side float front to back relative to the PS door Stricker plate (i.e. to be less than 1/4: to flush) ?

Any input is greatly appreciated.

I'm also in the body fitting stage and have read in mult threads to center the front using distances from the shock towers to the wheel fender, and not to use the distance from the hood hinges to the opening.
I did find that it's impossible to get a rule to the shock tower with the tires in place. I'm going to try to jack up the car to see if I can get measurements to the shock tower this way with the wheels lowered and the suspension unloaded.

[CraigS]

"...two self tapping screws through the body and into the bottom of the 2x2 frame piece on each side." BOTTOM is the operative word.

[Richard Oben]

Since the MK 1 and on to the MK4, NEVER fit the body to the hood opening. Always use the shock supports to fender lip. We have seen so many that try the hood opening and the tires stick out differently, one out, one in. Believe me, not one person will notice the hood opening, but everyone will notice the tires. JMHO, Richard.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Since the MK 1 and on to the MK4, NEVER fit the body to the hood opening. Always use the shock supports to fender lip. We have seen so many that try the hood opening and the tires stick out differently, one out, one in. Believe me, not one person will notice the hood opening, but everyone will notice the tires. JMHO, Richard.

Yep, what Richard said! As this photo shows the hood opening is not centered on the body.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=131794&d=1544925801

If you center the opening over the chassis tubes the front of the body won't be centered over the tires.

Jeff

[ggunter]

This seems to be a burning topic and the manual doesn't do a very good job of explaining it. Thankfully there are pros here willing to share their expertise. I too am in the body fitting stage and feel my side to side and front to back are pretty good. I was able to screw the original under frame screws back into their original holes so I think I'm pretty close. The issue I'm fighting with now is the support along the hood opening each side. My front quick jack bolts lined up fairly well and i installed the horseshoes but after listening here will probably remove them. I put the 1/2 sponge foam along the top of the 3/4 rails but also see they aren't close at the front. Looking from underneath it looks like a 3/4 gap that needs to be beefed up with something. Just need to know what would work well and have some support and longevity with it. Any thoughts. Thanks

[mlewis]

Since the MK 1 and on to the MK4, NEVER fit the body to the hood opening. Always use the shock supports to fender lip. We have seen so many that try the hood opening and the tires stick out differently, one out, one in. Believe me, not one person will notice the hood opening, but everyone will notice the tires.


If you center the opening over the chassis tubes the front of the body won't be centered over the tires.

Thank you for answering my original question.


This seems to be a burning topic and the manual doesn't do a very good job of explaining it. Thankfully there are pros here willing to share their expertise

Too true !!

So, just to confirm my original questions (sorry for the repeat) as this body alignment stuff is frustrating the @*&# out of me (and I thought electrical was the tough stuff :))

There is a bit of a gap/bow on the body sides relative to the vertical tube/striker plates (a bit more on the DS vs the PS). This can pushed in but these is nothing to hold it there. Here's some pics:

140456 140453

Is this correct ?

I also noticed that the hood opening vs the DS hinge plate is flush but the hood opening vs the PS hood hinge plate has an overhang (about 1/2"). This despite the body side-to-side to the chassis being centered. Here' some pics:

140454 140455

So it's OK for the hood opening to me off side to side vs the hood mounting brackets ?

I do truly appreciate the guidance from all you experts.

Mark

[CraigS]

...The issue I'm fighting with now is the support along the hood opening each side. My front quick jack bolts lined up fairly well and i installed the horseshoes but after listening here will probably remove them. I put the 1/2 sponge foam along the top of the 3/4 rails but also see they aren't close at the front. Looking from underneath it looks like a 3/4 gap that needs to be beefed up with something. Just need to know what would work well and have some support and longevity with it. Any thoughts. Thanks
There doesn't really need to be any support along the sides of the hood. Some people do fab something there but most don't. You could stick some of the foam on the underside of the body so the gap would be closed visually. Maybe Jeff or J will chime in w/ some thoughts.

[ggunter]

What I don't like is if you lean on the hood in that area it will flex 1/2" plus. I would like to find some 1" wide rubber 3/4" thick with a channel about 1/8 deep on the under side to lay on top of the 3/4" tube that runs under the hood. It seems like too much weight is hanging on the quick jack bolts. I think a little extra help on top of the top tubes would help stabilize and take some of the weight off the quick jacks. Anybody seen and rubber like this?

[mlewis]

So, just to confirm my original questions (sorry for the repeat) as this body alignment stuff is frustrating the @*&# out of me (and I thought electrical was the tough stuff )

There is a bit of a gap/bow on the body sides relative to the vertical tube/striker plates (a bit more on the DS vs the PS). This can pushed in but these is nothing to hold it there. Here's some pics:

Click image for larger version.

Name: Striker_PS.jpeg
Views: 11
Size: 1.05 MB
ID: 140456 Click image for larger version.

Name: Striker_DS.jpeg
Views: 10
Size: 749.4 KB
ID: 140453

Is this correct ?

I also noticed that the hood opening vs the DS hinge plate is flush but the hood opening vs the PS hood hinge plate has an overhang (about 1/2"). This despite the body side-to-side to the chassis being centered. Here' some pics:

Click image for larger version.

Name: Hood Hinge PS.jpeg
Views: 10
Size: 1.21 MB
ID: 140454 Click image for larger version.

Name: Hood Hinge DS.jpeg
Views: 8
Size: 806.8 KB
ID: 140455

So it's OK for the hood opening to me off side to side vs the hood mounting brackets ?

Any input on my question on the hood opening to hinged bracket differences left to right?

Is it Ok to have some flex in the body sides near the door stricker plates?

[yahrt]

"I would like to find some 1" wide rubber 3/4" thick with a channel about 1/8 deep on the under side to lay on top of the 3/4" tube that runs under the hood. "

The issue I see with rubber on top of the 3/4" tube is the assumption that the selected thickness is what is required along the entire length of the 3/4" tube. I decided to use 3 threaded rubber bumpers on each side and to tap the frame rails. This will allow for finer adjustment of the body height to match the hood.

Eddie Motorsports MS275-37P Hood Adjusters, 1/4-20, Polished

[mlewis]

The issue I see with rubber on top of the 3/4" tube is the assumption that the selected thickness is what is required along the entire length of the 3/4" tube. I decided to use 3 threaded rubber bumpers on each side and to tap the frame rails. This will allow for finer adjustment of the body height to match the hood.

I like the bumper idea and the fact the the vertical gap changes over the length of the 3/4" tube. Where did you locate them over the length ?

Back to the left/right alignment question, ggunter & yahrt, since it sounds like you are at where I'm at, what are you seeing on the left to right alignment of the hood opening relative the the hood hinge mounting brackets (assuming you align to the body to the frame using the front fender wall lip to frame measurement) ?

[yahrt]

Body is currently off so i cannot provide alignment of the hood opening relative to the hood hinge, will be installing the bumpers next week, have not yet decided on spacing or whether I will use 2 or 3. Will update then.