[hay13]

Hi all. I removed my drivers side fender to get to replacing the upper dash panel. There wasn't a single fender shim to be found. Gaps prior to removal were good to OK. I'm now removing the passenger side fender and found two shims in the bolt area where you have to open to door to get to and 3 shims (one was a little thinner than the other two) in the bolt that points down into the cowl by the windshield. My gut tells me that I shouldn't worry too much about this because what works on one side might not work on the other and the gaps for the passenger side were also to to OK. If I were improve any gap it would be the drivers side area at the very top rear portion of the fender where it meets the pillar and door.

[Original68fromauntsgarage]

Sup Neighbor!

Don't sweat the shims too much, or their lack thereof........ all of the cars were ever so different, so I truly do not believe there is any "Normal" amount.....

Furthermore you are spot on in that you will have variances from one side to the other...... It is kind of a game to get it right, but there are some diagrams out there that show the results achieved from a shims' placement.....and thickness......

I hope this helps, good luck

Don

[68vert]

I know others will echo my opinion that you should consider yourself lucky to have so few shims in there!! You also don't have a huge difference from side to side either. I think I've got one 1/8" and one 1/16" on one side behind the door, and four 1/8" on the other side!! I think your gut was right...

Make note of where and how many shims there were in all the locations during disassembly. And, don't be surprised during reassembly if that changes. But, it will at least give you a good starting point.

Mine changed a shim or two from preassembly to final assembly. No worries, these are old, BIG tolerance cars. Good luck, Brian