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Body part clearance on trunk lid to quarter panel

11K views 61 replies 8 participants last post by  tech69 
#1 ·
Can you tell me where I may find the tolerance on a 1970 Camaro RS trunk lid to quarter panel. Thank you
 
#3 ·
What are you finding on yours? Are you replacing the quarter or has it been replaced? As Henry said about 3/16" is pretty standard target, but they can vary a lot.

Brian
 
#5 ·
If you had both quarters replaced you don't have much room for error, you put the deck lid in the middle with equal gaps on each side and hope that it works (if this wasn't all done properly during the quarter installs) what do you have now?

Brian
 
#6 ·
just find an unmolested car and measure the trunk lid opening. Other than that, Just line it up the best you can and that will usually tell you what's wrong or needs to be tweaked. Then address the area and get the gaps you like. If you want factory you can just slap it on there and call it good, if you want better you'll have to do some work.
 
#9 ·
There is none....You just get them as close as possible...a good tec wont accept wide gaps but they can be expensive so what a lot of people do is shop by price alone and get a less than perfect job ,If you paid less than 1000.00 to have the 1/4's installed you shouldnt be too worried about it now but if you paid more you should bring it back...check the gaps on the hood they should be about the same...
 
#8 ·
if it's a new quarter than that's not out of the question for it to give you a bigger gap. If I were you I'd line it up first to the your upper rear body panel and just by doing that with your hinges not pushed to one side or the other it will probably show you where the problem quarter is, if it's not obvious to you now. Can also measure to find out. In any case, line it up to your upper rear body panel and to the good quarter 3/16" all around. Then you can now use your rear decklid as a guide to tell you how far you need to push in the gap to reweld. You do this by running a slice on top of the quarter a tad away from the corner, close sections up to 3/16" and tack it shut. done!
 
#11 · (Edited)
How about some photos, that would really help us help you. Don't get discouraged, often there are some tricks here and there that can get you right in the ball park. Post some photos showing all the gaps so we aren't guessing. With photos we will only bother you with exactly what you need to hear.

Brian
 
#12 ·
Thanks guys. The NOS quarters are on, they had the lid, I have pictures (but not digital) of the original quarters before restoration (my original car)and the gap seems to approach 1/4" and not the 1/8" that is official to the front hood. There's no maximum specification? Wow! This is a frame-off restoration. What can I do?
 
#14 ·
Ray, it's a 70 Camaro.

I haven't worked on one in years so I don't know the answer to this question, but often the lid ins't a square, the leading edge (at the rear window) or the trailing edge (at the tail lamps) is not the same distance side to side.

This being said, moving the lid forward or rearward will change the gaps size. Lets say you have a large gap at leading edge too, and the lid is wider at the trailing edge, you move the lid forward towards the window and all three gaps would tighten! Now, if the lid is wider at the leading edge and you move it forward the gaps on the sides would get larger, understand?

Something may be able be done like that.

I know one thing, there ARE dimensions for these gaps in the original body manual for that car, you REALLY need to get one of these manuals if you are doing a restoration. I fought it, I thought that it was for dummies or something, then I found myself being a dummy with mechanical issues on one of my cars being am a bodyman and not a mechanic, so I picked up one of these manuals. I was blown away at how helpful it is when working on the body too, it is a MUST HAVE in my opinion when owning and working on one of these old cars.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1970-F-Body...anuals_Literature&hash=item33804ecbb5&vxp=mtr

As Hotrodders is the best hot rod forum on the net, Team Camaro is the best Camaro forum on the net and I suggest you go there and ask your Camaro specific questions. Team Camaro Technical Question & Answer Forum - Camaros.net I did a search on the subject over there and there are a TON of threads with a bunch of info for you.

Click on the following link.
http://www.camaros.net/forums/gtsea.../forums/login.php?do=login&ss=6248j6185920j14

Brian
 
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#15 ·
Thanks Brian...if only I would have taken the time re-read the thread....my bad. OK, if this isn't a super rare, Big Block or Z28 car...(Something that they didn't make to many of) then what you can do to enlarge a gap on your doors or your deck lid is to take a stainless steel welding rod...take off the coating and weld it to the lip or outside edge of the deck lid...these rods can be 1/8 of an inch wide when the coating is off and if you weld it onto both sides of the deck lid it will give you and extra 1/4 inch of deck lid to work with. After it's welded on, install the lid, adjusting it to give you your best fit. Grind away whatever you need to give you the gap you want, apply a little filler on the welds (both top and bottom of the deck lid), block, prime, block and paint.

If this is a super rare 70 Camaro, I would advise to have the quarters re-installed correctly to get your gaps. I've done this on several custom builds (usually pre-war cars), because they are customs it doesn't matter, gaps are what's more important than originality.

I hope this helps.

Ray
 
#16 ·
don't overcomplicate this. If the doors line up with the quarter fine with fenders on line up the decklid to the upper rear body panel and good quarter and cut a slice and weld. No need to get all silly and technical over this, and it would be a professional repair.
 
#17 ·
Your right Tech 69, no need to make it complicated. Well time for me to get out of my office and add several inches to each side of a hood I'm working on...I know as well, I may not do it every day anymore, but I have...Just Like You.

Nice Edit Henry...This was edited from Henry's last post. " I know, I do this work everyday and don't sit in the office."

Ray
 
#18 ·
Nice Edit Henry...This was edited from Henry's last post. " I know, I do this work everyday and don't sit in the office."

Ray
Yeah that's one of the many barbs he tosses.

God it was so wonderful when I knew everything. I remember when I was a young punk working at a restoration shop and I knew everything. CRAP, that was years ago, now I am a dummy and need help wiping my butt.

Brian
 
#19 ·
You know Brian, you and I and most every person that may have age on some people have all become stupid...is it in the water, the air we breath or maybe some people think that they have a fountain of youth in their arsenal of tools and they will remain smart and the best and the only GOD's gift to the Auto Body world and know more than anybody else forever...If you don't believe me just ask the Barb thrower.

I don't know if it was you that he was throwing his wit at or me or both, I don't care. It's not acceptable and maybe he needs to rethink his approach on life or continue to eat lunch by himself in the corner.

Ray
 
#21 ·
Henry, Henry, Henry...don't you ever learn...I used to pissed at you, now I just feel sorry for you...it's pathetic.

Here is Henry's latest edit.

This thread is located at:
Body part clearance on trunk lid to quarter panel - Page 2 - Hot Rod Forum : Hotrodders Bulletin Board

Here is the message that has just been posted:
***************
if I wanted wisdom from know it alls I'd ask. It's funny how the net police know it alls always have to go into threads and drop wisdom where it's not asked for or wanted, but the fact is all they do is assume a bunch of dumb stuff. If I want your tech advice I'd ask, but keep your "life lessons and stupid assumptions" to yourself. You do not get paid to be a net cop but if you do YOU HAVE EARNED IT!
 
#22 ·
Not a net cop Henry...You have several choices.

1. Edit quicker. (your post got emailed to me by the Forum)
2. Read what you post before you push the post button
3. Don't write the CRAP in the first place.
4. Or my favorite...leave the Forum for good.

The respect I had for you is gone, your childish, immature and you need somebody to remind you that the sun doesn't rise and set on Henry...TECH 69...Super Hero.

Ray
 
#23 ·
Just cause I said I didn't work in an office and deleted it to not piss you net cops off you say I eat lunch by myself? WTF? Get off the computer and live by your words.
Actually, you know it alls are the superheros and you guys can't stand someone opposing you. That's the real issue here.
 
#27 ·
Just cause I said I didn't work in an office and deleted it to not piss you net cops off you say I eat lunch by myself? WTF? Get off the computer and live by your words.
Actually, you know it alls are the superheros and you guys can't stand someone opposing you. That's the real issue here.
God how twisted stuff gets, you just can't make this stuff up.

You know what's nice to me, when I open a thread to respond to the guys asking for help and someone else has already said what needs to be said so I can close the thread and go onto something else.
I love it when I see a members name who I find to be knowledgeable has responded. First it means I can go on surfing because the guy needing help has what he needs, or I can read what that knowledgeable member has said and learn something. I have an ego there is no doubt about it, but you are giving me one that is undeserved.

Brian
 
#24 ·
Henry, you did say it...and that's what you where thinking as well or you wouldn't have written it...I'm semi retired...I work for myself...I will get off my computer when I'm good and ready...You however are an employee, perhaps you need to take your own advice and get of your computer and start working...The net cops are watching you...HENRY....TECH69...SUPER HERO...anybody hear an echo just like on TV.

Ray
 
#26 ·
I think when it comes to nasty, you could win every prize Henry...This isn't the first time...You've had issues in the past...Not just here on this Forum...Do we need to bring up the past or would you like to start over and stop with all your condescending remarks. Not just on this thread Henry, future threads as well.

You may think what I've posted is rude...Look...would I have posted anything like that if it wasn't started by someone, No...I wouldn't and I don't. However, I will stand up for myself or for other people that I think haven't been dealt with fairly, by you or anybody else. If you feel that's wrong as well, then add another chip to your shoulder Henry, it must be getting real full of chips up there...Do I need to explain what I mean?

You should know me well enough by now, I do stand up and I'm fed up with your crap, as I mentioned I don't care if your office comment was directed at me or not...The way you talk about people you work with, the way you cut people down on this Forum...It's not acceptable. Some people may let things go, others may cower from a bully, I won't.

Ray
 
#29 ·
cut people down on the forum? I'm trying to help the guy like you are! If you're sick of me well I got news for you... you don't talk to me like you're my fricken dad trying to throw out life lessons every post we disagree on in a condescending manner and think I'm not gonna respond to it as an equal (not someone below you). Take it how you want and get mad as you want. I'll sleep good tonight.
 
#30 ·
I just wanted to tell you to ignore all this BS with us and don't feel like you can't post your photos and questions, we all want to help you solve your problem.

Brian
 
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