Am I royally screwed?

[Roadracer350]

Went to hang the doors last night on the tub and I have a slight problem.... The driver side door has about .250" overlap and the pass side has about .250" gap... Could this tub be twisted or bannaned? Anyone have any imput because im about to wipe my hands of this whole project and put my head in a vice...

 

[2008 V6]

Went to hang the doors last night on the tub and I have a slight problem.... The driver side door has about .250" overlap and the pass side has about .250" gap... Could this tub be twisted or bannaned? Anyone have any imput because im about to wipe my hands of this whole project and put my head in a vice...

string it & put it on a frame rack

 

[SoundGuyDave]

I'm assuming the car is up on jackstands? Pick seven or eight points on each side that are symmetrical (K-member mount points, rear LCA mount points, gas tank strap points, etc.) and using a plumb-bob, mark the locations on the floor. Then break out a tape measure and start connecting the dots (K-member front left to LCA mount rear right, etc.) measuring the distance between them. If you're getting substantial differences in the cross-dimensions, then you're bent. Before you toss the tub, you may want to run it to a frame shop and see what they say prior to making a final decision. These tubs are tough, and unless something is creased, it may not be as hard as you think to straighten the thing out if it's bent.

 

[Roadracer350]

DAMN DAMN DAMN DMAN PUT MY DICK IN A VICE DAMN!!! Guess i will look for a frame shop to measure. I will measure it with a plumb bob this weekend. I went over this tub with a light and my hands last night and i cant find any creases, bends etc. Maybe i have the doors adjusted wrong.. At least i'm hoping..

 

[19COBRA93]

What's the history on the car?

And you're not screwed. If it is out of shape, a couple hours on a frame machine will set it straight with relative ease.

 

[Roadracer350]

Even with the extensive cage and seam welding? I couldnt find any problems with the tub last night when I went over it. According to the guy i bought it from it had been hit in the rear and spun and hit the front. Damage was rear bumper cover, Trunk, Wing, front bumper cover, both front fenders. He said he drove it off the track.

 

[19COBRA93]

If it was hit after the cage and welding, then the frame machine will still pull it back straight. If it was caged and welded up after the accident, then it will be more difficult, but not impossible.

 

[steveespo]

If it was hit after the cage and welding, then the frame machine will still pull it back straight. If it was caged and welded up after the accident, then it will be more difficult, but not impossible.

This is true, steel if not deformed past failure "wants" to go back to it's original shape. This is metal memory. If the car was rewelded in a twisted or bent condition you would be fighting 2 different memories, much harder to square the chassis up and would in fact put the cage in a pretension condition. Chances are you are not in bad shape with the 1/4" bust.
Steve

 

[DILYSI Dave]

If the cage was welded in a bent car, I'd cut the tubes from the landing pads, square the car, and then reweld them.

 

[Department Of Boost]

I'll give you $25 for it.

 

[Roadracer350]

I pulled the doors off and used a plumb bob from all the suspension mtg points and didnt find anything off. I will check again this weekend and see if I come up with the same numbers. I really hate to cut the cage and streighten cause it has all been painted but if I have to I will. Man this sucks monkey balls!

 

[kevinatfms]

What part of the door has the gap?
What did you measure it with?

Check your 3/4 panels and check under the car for minor creases at the rear subframe, they are known to buckle at that point. Pm me for more info and maybe a diagram

 

[Roadracer350]

I looked this weekend and everything measures the same after 3 times. When I measured the doors i was measuring from the rear edge of the door back to the front edge of the tub at the quarter panel. I took the doors back off and will try rehanging them this week.

 

[steveespo]

I looked this weekend and everything measures the same after 3 times. When I measured the doors i was measuring from the rear edge of the door back to the front edge of the tub at the quarter panel. I took the doors back off and will try rehanging them this week.

I am a little confused about how you are putting the car back together. Doors should be aligned with the latch side at the quarter panel and the rocker sill. Front fenders should be off or loosened and pushed as far forward as possible. After adjusting doors to the tub at the rquater and rocker then reinstall and align fender gaps. If you are doing this and things won't fit you can extend the fender mounting slots to slide them further forward. 1/4" overlap is alot of damage, you would see something in the fender aprons or rear door jambs distorted.
Steve

 

[Roadracer350]

I am a little confused about how you are putting the car back together. Doors should be aligned with the latch side at the quarter panel and the rocker sill. Front fenders should be off or loosened and pushed as far forward as possible. After adjusting doors to the tub at the rquater and rocker then reinstall and align fender gaps. If you are doing this and things won't fit you can extend the fender mounting slots to slide them further forward. 1/4" overlap is alot of damage, you would see something in the fender aprons or rear door jambs distorted.
Steve

Thats what Im thinking that I just have the doors misalighned. The front fenders are off right now. I just need to start over and take my time.

 

[steveespo]

Wood paint sticks and wood feather wedges are very helpful in setting door gaps without damaging paint. Use blue tape on the edges too! I think you are fine, just take your time and have friend or 2 to help.
Steve

 

[Roadracer350]

Wood paint sticks and wood feather wedges are very helpful in setting door gaps without damaging paint. Use blue tape on the edges too! I think you are fine, just take your time and have friend or 2 to help.
Steve

Wood paint sticks? I would never have thought about that.. I was using Digital Dial Calipers to try for the door gaps but then I ran into the way off doors and stoped. I think I just have them adjusted wrong.

 

[STEVE_POE]

ok you can't put a s197 door on a car and really adjust it . you can a little at the striker but not at the hinge . are you using correct door bolts ? the bolt that goes through the hinge and into the door 12mm they are for doors specific.

 

[Roadracer350]

ok you can't put a s197 door on a car and really adjust it . you can a little at the striker but not at the hinge . are you using correct door bolts ? the bolt that goes through the hinge and into the door 12mm they are for doors specific.

Actually no. They were some bolts I made out of Ti. I took the original bolts and copied them on the lathe.

 

[Mike K]

What did you figure out on this?