BODY DROP: when sides of birdcage are aligned over frame, back end is off-center

[Scott S.]

Last week we lowered the body back onto the frame for the first time since this project began a few years ago, test fitting and checking alignment before removing the front-clip for replacement.

The hoist used to lift the body turned out to be surprisingly precise. The body can be lowered onto the body mount cushions just enough so that the body stays in place, but still suspending enough weight to make small alignment adjustments without much effort.

Problem:
When the door sill-plate section of the body/birdcage is aligned perfectly with the frame on each side, the distance from the frame to the rear wheel well is off by about 3/8" to one side. When we correct for the rear wheel well-to-frame measurement (making the distance from frame to inner wheel well the same on both sides), naturally then the alignment under the door sill plate area is off by the same 3/8".

I'm guessing this is normal because the fiberglass bodies could not be perfect, or at least not as "true" as the quality control was for the frame specs.

Which is better, should the body mount bolts (#1 and #3) be tightened with the frame aligned to the door sill plate section, or is it more important for the back of the body to be perfectly aligned (e.g., for wheel clearance)?

Or is there something else I'm missing?

[Gene M.]

Re: BODY DROP: when sides of birdcage are aligned over frame, back end is off-center

Scott,
Split the difference at 3/16" and measure the body lip to tire spacing at all four corners and see what you have. Attempt to be equal at fronts and equal at rears.

I'm assuming the alignment shims are shimed as they were originally.

You want to insure the body/frame are rolling down the road straight and not dog leged.

The body mount holes allow for a lot of movement. Frame straightness/out of square by 1/4" or so is not uncommon when setting up a 4 wheel alignment prior to body drop.

[Scott S.]

Re: BODY DROP: when sides of birdcage are aligned over frame, back end is off-center

Scott,
Split the difference at 3/16" and measure the body lip to tire spacing at all four corners and see what you have. Attempt to be equal at fronts and equal at rears.

I'm assuming the alignment shims are shimed as they were originally.

You want to insure the body/frame are rolling down the road straight and not dog leged.

The body mount holes allow for a lot of movement. Frame straightness/out of square by 1/4" or so is not uncommon when setting up a 4 wheel alignment prior to body drop.

Thanks Gene, we'll try adjusting it so that it's off by 3/16" at the sides and the back, and see if we can get the tire-distance to measure equally at all four corners relative to the edge of the wheel-well. We were measuring to the outer edge/lip because it is more consistent (the inner edge/lip is more variable).

We used a frame-jig to put the frame back to factory specs, so it's straight. Unfortunately several of the original alignment shims crumbled to dust on the RH side and the #4 body mount shims on the LH side, so we only know the original shim-count for #1 and #3 body mounts on the driver's side.

[Wayne W.]

Re: BODY DROP: when sides of birdcage are aligned over frame, back end is off-center

It is more important to have the body centered at the front and rear so the bumper mounting will be correct.

[Scott S.]

Re: BODY DROP: when sides of birdcage are aligned over frame, back end is off-center

It is more important to have the body centered at the front and rear so the bumper mounting will be correct.

Wayne,

Thanks very much for the reply, I was hoping you would see this Thread.

How would you go about aligning the body in preparation to remove the front clip (from the bottom of the windshield forward)? The original front end has too much damage and incorrect (old) repair, and therefore needs to be replaced.

Since the front end is not factory correct/straight to begin with, is there any point to centering the front, or do we concentrate on alignment from the firewall to the rear of the car? Or is it easier/better to not worry about alignment before removing the front end, and then carefully align it after the front end is removed, before attaching the new front end?

Any tips or advice would be very much appreciated.

Scott

[Wayne W.]

Re: BODY DROP: when sides of birdcage are aligned over frame, back end is off-center

In that case I would probably center it at the cowl and make sure the rear is centered, then you will have a better shot at getting the front right. Keep in mind that you will probably do a better job than the factory.

[Gene M.]

Re: BODY DROP: when sides of birdcage are aligned over frame, back end is off-center

Manufacturing tolerances and of course age have a way of making everything a bit off. Keep in mind that during this time specs were not always held. That is out of spec parts and assemblies were not always caught and ended up on the dealers lot as finished product. I can't tell you how many times I find parts "ground out" to fit.

Add to this some fender bender stuff and the restorer has a puzzle to work with..........