My first post. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this forum. It has been a great help to me. This is my first restoration project and I am so glad I decided to go with this 54 CHEVY. I am doing a complete frame off. I purchased the Truck in January 2012 and I posted some pics in an album. I am currently trying to get the hood and fenders aligned and not going so well. I've found a few threads on this alignment but any tips would be appreciated. The problem is between the hood and fenders. Thanks again Bob
Welcome, bob! Even *if* it's a Chevy, WELCOME! Of course, if it was a GMC, you wouldn't be having these problems...
First, the gaps WILL NOT be perfect, they never were. Line up the hood at the cowl as best you can. Now, with everything just hand tightened (fender bolts, front lower radiator support mount, etc.) determin where the front clip needs to go. Left to right, use the strut rods from firewall to fenders, loosen one and tighten the other. If the hood is high at the front...shim core support up. If the hood is low at front, shim front cab mounts. Get the best gaps you can, but don't expect the fit and finish of a Riddler Award car, not without a TON of work.
hood Bob, If you have a copy or know someone who has it, the Chevrolet Truck Shop Manual has an indepth couple of pages on alignment of the hood...I too have to do this, but have decided to wait till I get most of the other important stuff done. I think I will need a couple of days of translating and trying to understand what they say about it. I originally thought it was going to be an easy part of what all I have to do...but it does not appear to be so.... the first time I tried reading those couple of pages. I did this a couple of days before my Albuquerque to Viva Las Vegas trip! I said forget it for now...It is still being forgotten...maybe next month. Rod
Hood Fender gap Thanks a bunch for the information. I have a shop manual and a stack of other instructions. Gonna try and figure this out tonight. Here are a couple of pictures of my project.
Wow Want to re spray one of my oldies ? . Don't forget to post more pictures as it goes to - gether .
In that case, blue tape EVERYTHING to avoid chips and scratches. Also get a NEW set of rubber hood bumpers to keep everything off of one another.
Already went through your post, How to Assemble, about 15 times. Best post on here! Two rolls of blue tape and a new set of bumpers later, I think I about have it whipped. I bought the truck in pieces, so I never saw the fenders on it. The mounting surface for the left hand fender was bent way out at the top. This was causing the 1/2 inch gap between the fender and hood. A few taps with a rubber mallet and walla! I'll take some pics tonight and post them.
MAN! That is B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!!!! I'm color blind, but that looks like a gold paint color? Too cool!!!
Paint Color Thanks Zig! It is actually called Synergy Green. It is the new green on the Camaro. It has Gold pearl and Green pearl in it. It looks pretty good in the shop, but can't wait to see it rolling down the road in the sunlight. Now to determine who's gonna drive it down the road, while I drool.
54 Interior trim Does anyone know of a place to purchase the rear headliner retainer and the retainer that fits about half way up the rear of the cab? Thanks a bunch
