fender differences

[Maine j]

I replaced my drivers side fender on my 85 chevy caprice coupe with a fender from a four door 88-90 caprice, Not sure exactly what year, Now im not sure if its a hinge difference from 85-90 or a difference in the fenders if there is any thats causing this gap between the two. It looks as if that side is too high or something any ideas will be greatly appreciated.

[silicon212]

That's what shims are for. There might be minor differences from one car to another, but generally all '80 to '90 Chevrolet B-bodies interchange fenders.

The only difference you might encounter have to do with curb lights.

[mike561]

For future reference too, all box caprice rear and front bumpers are the same sizes too right?

[silicon212]

Originally Posted by mike561

For future reference too, all box caprice rear and front bumpers are the same sizes too right?

The '80 to '90 ones are.

[Maine j]

Maybe i didnt explain as clearly as i should have, But the hood is up higher where the hinge attaches to it on the drivers side only, On the passenger side its all original everything and its fine. So i was wondering if because i used the hinge off the other car if that could be the problem. And was there a difference in hinges 85-90.

[silicon212]

No, the fenders are the same and the hinges are the same. The problem you are encountering most likely has to do with shimming. Try adding or removing shims, also the hinge itself is adjustable so you might want to try that.

[randy78]

80 to 90 are all the same

you need to shim and adjust it

its not fun often

you will need an assistant and some careful planning and physics type of thinking to get it right

and shims, plus or minus at different locations

remember that shims also go in the top rear of the fender to raise or lower it to match the hood and body lines at the door, at the big flat weird shaped bolt that threads down into the cowl of the car main tub body at the firewall

you cna also shim the fender up at the rad support end by shimming betweent he top side of the support and the underneath side of the fender

same concept as at the cowl firewall main vertical adjustment bolt



so..

i have removed billions of fenders from various years makes models of GM cars, including the 85 elky ss we just are now finishing up fully restoring that we started in august 07

we removed the doors and entire front clip we disassembled, i did most of that work, it is all painted and reinstalled and shimmed adjusted back to nicer than it was originally, by far
it took tweaking and hole enlarging and egging and so forth

you have to do what you gotta do

the factory did the same when needed

modifications

stampings were not perfect even when brand new off the sheetmetal parts presses




good luck

[Maine j]

Thanks alot, But how would i adjust the hinge? Because that seems to be the problem, The fender seems to be in the right place.