1968 Coronet deck lid fit question.

[SilverTBM]

I am trying to set my panel gaps. I got to the trunk and the deck lid has a bow on the middle. It's raised above the quarter panels just in the middle. The measured gap in the yard stick pic is .120" passenger and .180" driver side. The trunk gutters and top quarters are original.

Does anyone know if this is correct or is my deck lid bent? I cant see any damage in the underside structure. The area where the hinges bolt to is not straight. Is this correct? I dont want to start shrinking or slicing if this is correct. Thanks.

 

[SilverTBM]

 

[eldubb440]

welcome to my world........ whatever it takes

sometimes a rubber mallet on the edge is a quick cheat, but prubably not

this stuff goes un noticed for 50 years, until we restore them

 

[1 Wild R/T]

The trunk gutters and top quarters are original.

All that welding on top of the quarter likely pulled the top of the quarter down some... My bet is the trunk lid isn't the issue.. As eldubb said welcome to his world...

 

[Runner 68]

Panel alignment on our cars sucked from day one. Massage it as close as you can and call it good. That level of attention is a 100 times more attention than they put into it from the factory.
That **** bugs me too. It's a fact of life in Mopar land.

 

[SilverTBM]

Yea I get that the panel fitment is always an issue. The gutter/quarter where the trunk meets looks good. The quarter patch weld seem is far enough away so its not effected. And I also hammer and dollied the butt weld seam to stretch it back out. I got some ideas on how to fix it. I'm just wondering if anyone had a deck lid fit to a car for reference. Is this supposed to be straight? Or have the curve, along with the underside hinge mount rail not be straight? I'm thinking its bent and plan to heat/shrink or slice the underside rail to straighten it out. Thanks.

 

[eldubb440]

this deck lid was sunk in the entire length on both sides......... I sliced the gutters the entire length, squeezed them down and rewelded, I have no pics of the actual slices

and me.......laying in the trunk to grind the back sides of the gutter welds

 

[SilverTBM]

Looks good. Yea I think I am going start on the deck lid and if the quarters have to move than so be it. Whatever looks right. Just cut, weld, grind & repeat. Thanks for the input.

 

[1KoolBee]

I think 1 Wild R/T is right. Quarter is likely low