That doesn't sound right. Are these repro fenders? If so, whos? Try bringing up the top as far as you can with still being able to get the firewall bolt in. Leave the bolts a little less than finger snug and then try to bring it up the rest of the way using a 1x2 piece of wood in the hinge area to see if you can't use that bolt to get the lines in shape.

John

 

We replaced the front fenders in 1982 and I do not remember if they where gm or not... I guess we ended up with all the shims to suck the fender line in. I need to get some old pics out and try to see how the fenders looked with the old enamel paint job. We also had a molding on the body line so maybe that hide the line sticking out??? I was real young when we did the car in 82, maybe my body man had the same issue?? The drivers side is also a replacement but it fits real good.
Thanks, Mike

I'll try to get a pic.

 

Are you saying the feature line running midway up the fender is sticking out? You need to line up the belt line with the door first, then pull the bottom down to align the feature line with the same line on the door.

 

Check your door to 1/4 gap and your door to rocker gap to make sure they are right.