My buddy has a 53 chevy truck and the drivers side front fnder doesn't fit right...it appears different than the p***enger side. He says the fenders changed from 51 or52-53. Anybody know for sure if thats right? The hood side fits wrong and there is a seam running from the headlight to the grille...but not on the p***. side. ????
There's a seal between the inner fender and the outer fender (Anti-squeak or something). GMC is different though. But the Chevy from late 47 thru 53 should square pretty good. These trucks are a pain in the *** to line up (Believe me! I'm fighting that battle). The radiator mount should be set too. Ken
A GMC fender will also interchange with a Chevy, only difference is the turn signal hole. I have one of each on my '50, they fit fine. You're dealing with tolerance stacking, which is a bunch of poorly fit parts trying to work together. I paid to have mine all lined up, it involved cutting, welding and re-fitting to get the seams nice.
I have a '54 hood on my '53. The holes for the hood ornament are different, otherwise they do interchange. These trucks are natorious for poor fitting hoods and doors. There is some good info on adjustments in the factory shop manual. You didn't say if any sheetmetal work has been done tothe cab, or if has been subframed. Any of that work can screw up the fit if it was done without alot of test fitting along the way.
HMMM..yes it was subframed,but he spent a lot of time trying to get the drivers fender to fit...to the point of pulling on it until it oilcanned (it went back when he released the pressure) Maybe it's just time to cut and fit.
Hey, How's the alignment of the hood to the cowl at the back of the hood? Are the hood hinges in good shape? If not start by repair/ replacement of these. What about the core support mounts to the frame, the rubber donuts? If either of these components isn't up to snuff alignment isn't gonna happen. Align the hood to the cowl, then align the two fenders to the hood. Tighten the core support after you have alignment. A pair of fender straps and a come-a-long should come with a General Motors part number for this era truck. And no, The Blue Oval Boys didn't get it much better, either. S****ey Devils C.C.
Definitely start with the hood to cowl fit. Those strut rods that go from the firewall to the fenders are pretty important also. they help with the forward/backward adjustment where the hood meets the grille.
the hood fits very nice and the p***enger fender does too....the truck is pretty straight...just the left fender ****s. He says the headlight is a little lower than the p***. side. Does anyone know what years had the seam that runs from the headlight to the grille??? Thats the year he doesn't want!
Does anyone know what years had the seam that runs from the headlight to the grille??? Thats the year he doesn't want! Depends on where it was made, they used both styles, all years.
I dont recall any seams. If one fender is too high, the radiator core support is probably too high on that side. Your first step is ALWAYS hood/cowl alignment, which is set by the hinges AS WELL AS the hood latch up front. HAVE THE RUBBER STRIP IN PLACE ALONG THE COWL. It matters! If you've used repop hood springs, they are often too stiff, and will cause the rear of the hood to raise up. Most people forget that.
Check the cab mounts. The rear uses shackles and tend to sag, such as mine and replace those mounts (front and rear) will help. A level cab is important to lining up the front. This seem, not sure what u are referring to, doesn't make sense. Ken
I have two fenders out back that have the seam that your talking about. I want to say they were 1948 or 1949 Chevrolet. You could just cut the seam, line up the two panels and weld back up.
yea..but he has one with the seam that doesn't fit...I saw 2 or 3 at the junkyard today...1 with a seam and 2 without...but they are pitted almost to death! So anybody got a spare drivers side front fender sans seam they want to sell?
The Jalopy Journal
