The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Fender fitment help

I am having problems getting the fenders to sit flat against the cowl. I did replace cowls on both sides so that might be the issue. All the bolts including radiator mounts are loose. I figure I can cut and bend the metal on the cowls to get a better fit but my bigger concern is the driver side seems to be good height wise but the passengers side seems to be high and I know it will cause the hood to be way off. If I shim the cab corner or lower the fender it just causes a gap between the fender and the lower cowl. Any suggestions?

p.s. I do not see how its possible to paint and put these panels back together without scratching everything. Is that the usual sequence? Almost seems easier to remove the engine and radiator, paint everything and put engine back in while supporting the front of the fenders then drop the radiator straight down and in????

Thanks as always.

1950 chevy 3100

Always fit the hood first, then fit everything to the hood. There is a tech tip for aligning the front end that may help. Here is a link. https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthread...2/ad-front-clip-alignment-procedure.html

thanks thats a much better file than the old manual

Am I correct in saying that hood or no hood...these fenders will never sit flush because the hood adjustment has nothing to do with that? For the fenders to sit flat would need the radiator to fender supports to stretch out 2 inches to push the fender in at the door if that makes any sense?

The hood has to sit evenly and tight to the anti squeak on top of the cowl. The radiator support height, center hood support bracket and the two cowl to fender braces have everything to do with that. Once that is adjusted then align the fenders. Being you replaced sections of the cowl, that may affect your fender gaps and you might have redo some bodywork to tighten your gaps.

Thanks again Phak1...I installed hood..got it to sit evenly and tightly against anti squeek...My gaps around it look manageable however I am still working the fenders to get them to sit in the grooves and not have large gaps. When all the bolts are loose and nothing will move I have no idea how to solve the problem other than just keep pulling and twisting and praying that something good happens lol

Tightening the bolts which hold the fenders to the cowl will tighten those wide gaps. The fender flanges will form fit from tightening the bolts, drawing in the fender edge closer to the cowl.

Beaded fender welting was used in this area to hide imperfections where the fender meets the cowl.

thanks 52carl