My First Build Thread, and a long time comin' Options

[skeates]

So...technically I started this restoration a month ago, but now it has a thread (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

A little history...This was my first car. I picked it up for $1200 back in high school and had it towed home with mice in the glove box and hoses going to no where in the engine compartment! My dad and I had it up and running off and on for three years before I shipped off to southern California for college. It has sat in the 'rents driveway for 5 years now (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) waiting for the restoration that it deserves

Well...now that I'm edumacated and have a "real" job (and also have moved back to Northern California) my pockets are slightly deeper than in high school and the build has commenced!



So far I have stripped it to a tub, built me a rotisserie and washed off about 30 years of road grime and PO molestation. Along the way I even made a new friend! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

[skeates]

I was hoping was hoping for a slightly less nihilistic response...despite what I now understand to be less than adequate bracing, the new piece fit in without any tweaks and all of the measurements I've done (though not extensive) have been within 1/32" of factory. Is a frame shop the only way out? Anyone know what it would cost to take this to a shop to have fixed?

[rick 918-S]

I was hoping was hoping for a slightly less nihilistic response...despite what I now understand to be less than adequate bracing, the new piece fit in without any tweaks and all of the measurements I've done (though not extensive) have been within 1/32" of factory. Is a frame shop the only way out? Anyone know what it would cost to take this to a shop to have fixed?

I read this post Sunday but had just had a chunk of steel removed from my eye and couldn't really stand the scratching stinging pain long enough to reply. I'm not sure you can get the gaps perfect but let me ask you some questions and see if we can work through this. Lets just start with what is good.

It looks like you can align the right door to the fender. Cool, now remove the latch and check to see how the door closes without the latch.

Q) with the door aligned to the fender in the closed position what is the gap like under the door? Is it even with the long or sagging and touching the long at the back of the door?

Answer this and don't race ahead.