Body pre-fit

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Discussion

UltimaCH

Original Poster:

3,155 posts

188 months

Thursday 4th December 2014
quotequote all
Started to do the body pre-fit exercise. Marked out the scribe line on both sides using the edge of the top main chassis tube. I don't find the "ideal" 125cm as per the manual, but something in that region. The rear of the side pod looks to be is riveted to the vertical flat sheet on the side of the engine compartment. On the left side, the pod is not quite long enough to be flush at the end of the plate. On the other hand, the right side is spot on. Is this normal or do I need to fiddle with the left for a better end fit?




356Speedster

2,293 posts

230 months

Friday 5th December 2014
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LOL! This part drove me mad until I was told one thing... the body is not symmetrical! I was measuring distances & gaps, unable to get things as per the manual, until I found that the left & right are not in perfect symmetry. Just measure & compare your 2 doors and you'll see what I mean wink

My best advice on this stage is to get all the parts loosely mounted and go from there. Use the noted measurements as a guide / starting point only, your eye is the most important tool at this stage. Moving one part impacts everything else, so you can only get this right with everything in place. And above all, be patient! I spend weeks on pre-fit alignment, it's a tricky one.

UltimaCH

Original Poster:

3,155 posts

188 months

Friday 5th December 2014
quotequote all
Thanks Mark. I was thinking on that same line as I remembered what you wrote to me on the subject. I'll also get the doors loosely fitted to check the gaps.

Do I also need to fit the front and rear clips now for the pre-fit?

356Speedster

2,293 posts

230 months

Friday 5th December 2014
quotequote all
Yes, you'll need everything on the car to complete the pre-fit. The clams have better adjustment in the hinges, but you'll get the best overall fit with everything in place, in my experience. This was the guidance I received from a number of people and in teh latter part of my pre-fit, I was thanful for that advice smile

UltimaCH

Original Poster:

3,155 posts

188 months

Friday 5th December 2014
quotequote all
Thanks will do. Do I need to fit all the locks etc. ?

sukhjeevan

290 posts

222 months

Friday 5th December 2014
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Nowhere near body fit yet myself, but maybe fit all panels, align as best as possible, fit locks and then final alignment.

Corsair613

260 posts

121 months

Friday 5th December 2014
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Those of you who've chosen to undertake the body pre-fit have my sincere respect. For myself, every time I read a thread detailing the challenges caused by the chassis' asymmetry, I'm glad I had the factory do the pre-fit. It probably would've driven me insane. wobble

Ken

UltimaCH

Original Poster:

3,155 posts

188 months

Friday 5th December 2014
quotequote all
True, for the moment the panels look somewhat hodge-podge.

GtrMan

134 posts

148 months

Friday 5th December 2014
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For those who order the body after the chassis , I imagine pre-fit at the factory may vary to the actual chassis since all chassis may vary those few mm....

356Speedster

2,293 posts

230 months

Friday 5th December 2014
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UltimaCH said:
Thanks will do. Do I need to fit all the locks etc. ?
Do as much as poss before adding the latches, to make sure you're drilling in the final position. It's not that body pre-fit is hard, it's just that it requires patience smile

Paul.B

3,937 posts

263 months

Friday 5th December 2014
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Speak to the factory. 10-mins on the phone to their body fit man will save you a week of pain. He'll give good clear advice and tells you the bits you need to get right. Everything else will fall into place.

shout SPEAK TO THE FACTORY!!!! phone